A Tale of Two Gardens 

(This is a 2018 garden description. Gardens for this year’s tour can be found here.)

Just steps below street level lie two secret gardens. Enter the gardens between the two houses and step down into the north garden along a series of small waterfalls. Pause to take in expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. 

Broadleaf evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses and Japanese maple trees line the way down the hill to the lawn. Follow the stacked stone walls and gravel paths that traverse the hillside connecting these two gardens. 

Time-consuming removal of blackberry, horsetail, morning glory and other invasive vines transformed the hillside into usable space for these dedicated gardeners. Neighbors working together created these two large gardens that merge and flow without visually defining property lines. 

As you traverse the hillside from north to south, pass contorted filberts, shore pines, harlequin glorybower, wild strawberries and blueberries at the path’s edge. 

The gravel path continues to a series of stone steps leading further downhill; or turn left uphill into the neighboring garden where a gazebo is a private place to take in the garden and sunsets. Here you will also find blueberries, raspberries, and a terraced herb and vegetable garden. Continue beyond the gazebo and up the south side of the house where espaliered pear trees hug the house. 

Follow the steps up to the entry courtyard with sculpted black pines and water falling into a koi pond with Japanese iris. Linger here for a moment in this tranquil spot near the pond and exit up steps back to the street. 

Not wheelchair accessible.