A Legacy Garden

A gravel drive brightened by variegated bishop’s weed, lacecap hydrangea, variegated weigela and rambling Clematis ‘Praecox’ leads to a series of small gardens, fitted within a landscape dominated by large trees. After building their home in 1994, Gretchen and Tom had the opportunity to create something new within these older elements.  A landscape designer helped with the process. Preserving and integrating plants from family gardens was also important. “Having a basic plan sets things in motion, creates a template for inspiration and, over time, the garden has developed a bit of a free-for-all personality,” Gretchen said.

A dry streambed channels rainwater and separates a mountain ash, underplanted with Iris japonica and hellebores (Gretchen’s grandmother), from cedar trees, underplanted with native sword ferns, red huckleberry, wild ginger, and a non-native favorite from Tom’s mother, lily-of-the-valley.

A border of hardy fuchsias sit in the shade of a Douglas fir. A 45-year-old laceleaf Japanese maple (Tom’s parents) is the centerpiece of a small island garden. Abies ‘Blue Cloak’ marks a path to the next series of gardens.

The sunny vegetable garden is a favorite place to “sit in the morning sun and just scope out what is growing, watch birds or read or draw”.

Walk across the lawn to the ‘bird garden’, where a small fountain and ‘little-bird’ bath has attracted more than 30 varieties of songbirds, offering daily entertainment and abundant joy for Gretchen and Tom.

Potted shrubs and perennials nestled into gardens are mobile points of interest all year. “If I find something irresistible and am not sure where to put it, it goes in a container until I find its happiest  location.”

“Our garden is a source of daily interest. It’s exciting to witness the changes as time moves forward and our ideas and plans about gardening evolve.”

Accessible; no stairs