Labyrinth Garden

(This is a 2017 garden description. Gardens for this year’s tour can be found here.)

A passion for life is in full display in this remarkable and nearly indescribable 3-layer garden of love and dedication. Simple parking strips become beautiful rain gardens with flowering cherry, Japanese maple and espaliered apple trees. The rain gardens are fed by thousands of gallons of water from the street and alley above.

Greeted by Harry Lauder's walking stick and mock orange, the visitor can proceed to the deck with an artistic railing for an overview of the gardens. The gardens north of the house feature raspberries and hydrangeas, with a lily and dahlia garden near the sundial at midlevel. The gardens themselves are alive with color, fragrance, sound, and drama. The drooping magenta blooms of the Himalayan honeysuckle brush against the trumpet vine arbor, which leads to a rock path surrounding a dappled willow, Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’. Drama heightens with the addition of a cleverly-created gunnera leaf fountain, made with 400 pounds of concrete. As impressive as all these are, they serve as opening acts for the main attraction, the peace labyrinth.

Built in honor of “daughters of friends who died too young,” the simple stone and sand structure belies the depth of emotion encapsulated by this garden. Walk the labyrinth course surrounded by lily of the valley, honeysuckle, petrified coral, grafted walking stick, and pyracantha. Notice the sounds from the fountain, bees, hummingbirds, and rustling golden bamboo, and remember the beauty of the path that led you to this moment.

Two levels are wheelchair accessible.