Retirement’s Rewards 

Thirty years of planning, planting and pruning have rewarded this lifelong gardener with a perfect sanctuary to enjoy the sweeping views of Puget Sound. Terraced planters along the sidewalk provide privacy. A tier of alternating red Japanese maples and boxwoods, with an upper tier of barberries, miscanthus and occasional blue anise sages, create a natural sound barrier. 

A ’Forest Pansy’ red bud tree, known for its brilliant scarlet purple color in the spring, holds center stage near the entrance. Grafted weeping forms of Atlas cedar flank the steps to the entrance of the house. The perfectly-shaped fir stands in contrast to the adjacent vine maple. 

Trees and shrubs surrounding the hillside were carefully chosen for height. The tulip tree, switchgrass, dogwoods, rhododendrons, Japanese maples and lilacs provide privacy without blocking the stunning views. Below these trees grow Lloyd’s favorite perennials and bulbs -- lilies, peonies, rudbeckia, iris, ‘Hot Lips’ salvia and azaleas. Bigleaf and ‘Bridal Bouquet’ hydrangeas along the waterfall provide dazzling color in the summer. 

Heard before seen, the cascading waterfall is the favorite feature of the garden for Lloyd. Now retired, he’s enjoying the fruits of his labor, sitting on the deck in the evening with the comforting sounds of the waterfall, while watching the brilliant skies of a West Seattle sunset.