An invitation to a North Seattle Garden

Was the subject line of an email from Chava Nessenbaum, better known to readers of this blog as chavliness, who leaves daily comments, bless her heart. We actually met in person  at the Tacoma Yard and Garden Show earlier this year.  Anyway, Chava invited me to see the garden she's made at the home  of her friend Erron Swanson, we settled  on a date and recently I had the pleasure of visiting.  Chava lives in a condo in West Seattle but loves to garden. When her friend, Erron, who she calls "the home owner,"  bought a house in North Seattle in 2006, Chava found a place to make a garden.

When Erron first moved into the home, the front yard looked a lot like this one.

Now, due to Chava's influence, it looks like this.

Because of the distance between their homes, Chava is only able to garden on weekends.  She was kind enough to take off some of her precious gardening time to give me a tour. 

Purple and Gold are a great combination and are also the colors of the nearby University of Washington. 

The dry creek bed is also functional and helps water flow away from the house during the rainy season.

Iris pallida grown to perfection.

Chava is a master of placing objects so that they must be discovered which adds to their enjoyment.  Could be that necessity is the mother of this as Erron doesn't really like all of the "stuff" around so Chava hides them a bit.

 Who wouldn't love walking through this ebullience of color and texture on his way to and from the front door on a daily basis?

The weeping Atlas Cedar will, in just a few years, provide a beautiful blue curtain of privacy from the neighbor's driveway and a nice backdrop for this entire side of the garden.

More purple and gold.  The reiteration of this color combination throughout the front garden creates a gentle rhythm of continuity.  Notice the thyme and red sempervivum  round the iris's feet.

Can you believe that Chava can do all of this in just two days a week?

Just wait, there's even more!  When Erron first moved into the home, this back area had rotting railroad ties going straight across the back and what is now a series of terraces and staircases was an English Laurel jungle.  Erron did all of the hardscape work and made the lovely wood arbor.

This gold spirea with magenta blooms is beautifully paired with Elijah Blue Fescue. 

Purple and gold!  Go Huskies!

Even the shady narrow path between the side of the house and the fence is planted with shade lovers.

With textures and colors like this, who needs flowers?

Another great plant combination idea for shade:  Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' and two Saxifrages.

Notice the two fierce guards flanking the top step!

Everyone should have a neighbor with a wisteria in their garden that is close enough to enjoy but distant enough not to take over one's own garden.

More fabulousness!

Who lives here?  Gnomes?  Fairies? Elves? Micro robots made by Monsanto to take over the world? 

This lady is keeping watch over that door and if something awry, that "lotus" that she's holding can be used as a grenade so  Monsanto robots wouldn't stand a chance.

Napping Gnome.

What a nice view from the house!  After the tour, Chava and Erron had prepared a special lunch which contained one of the best croissants (came from Central Market.)  I'd ever tasted.  Note to self, explore Central Market sometime!

Thank you so much Chava and Erron for inviting me to your gorgeous garden and for such a delightful afternoon!  You go gardeners!