Revisiting A Blogging Friend's Garden; Tom and Linda Reeder's Paradise

It was three years ago when Alison (Bonney Lassie) and I first visited Linda and Tom's garden on an Northwest Perennial Alliance garden tour (here.)  When we asked if it was okay to take pictures, Linda replied positively and said that she took garden pictures herself for her blog, Linda Letters.  How about that, we discovered each other before we discovered each others' blogs.   This year, Tom and Linda opened their garden again and Alison and I wanted to see it again and to enjoy the delightful Reeders! Such fun to see in person those whose lives are shared online.

We'd forgotten about the driveway.  Tom and Linda made the urbanite (not someone who lives in an urban area but broken up slabs of concrete that are now all the rage in haute green design.) wall years ago, ahead of the trend.

A welcoming entry.

Echeveria and Primula vulgaris. 

One of many fancy leaved geraniums (pelargonium) that Tom winters over in the form of cuttings in the greenhouse that he built himself.  These people are seriously talented and motivated.

Going past the entry this guy welcomes us in his own inimitable way.

The path meanders past some glorious old trees. 

And leads to this newly reconstructed seating area beneath a wisteria-covered pergola.

Some of Tom's self-made bonsai. 

Linda taught me a better technique than what I'd been using for making these flowers on our first visit.

Red, white and blue.  Betcha this was in bloom for the fourth.

 Wonderful refreshments, some of which were served in mid century ceramic planters which Linda collects.

Coming up from the lower area we arrive at  the sunny upper garden. 

"We have lived on this half acre property for 36 years.  Plants and plant fads have come and gone.  Failures were replaced with things that might be happier in their habitats.  Wind and weather have lent a hand in changes. However, in this park-like garden, the bones have remained constant since our first back-breaking days of clearing brush and building walls.  Those bones include many native plants: mature fir and cedar trees, salal, sword ferns, mahonia and vine maples".

"Vegetables and cut flowers share the raised beds, backed by espaliered fruit trees and raspberries."

The loss of a tree in the middle of this bed last year have caused changes in this bed. 

Beautiful Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'

 "There are stuffed pots on the patio, benches on the newly rebuild garden deck, a place for contemplation in the secret garden (which I didn't find) and for the young at heart, you can pretend in the garden shed that converts to a granddaughter's playhouse. This is the garden we live and play in."
Linda said she blames me for her succulent collection which includes the lovely Agave lophantha v. quadricolor.  I love to lead people astray!

More of Tom's bonsai collection.

Simply beautiful!

Cool container.  I'll bet there's a story.

One last peek.

Thanks Linda and Tom for opening your beautiful and inspiring garden!