The Garden of Cynthia Wheaton

Next up on the  Northwest Perennial Alliance Excursion to Everett  is the garden of Cynthia Wheaton.  This space is as full of fun as the gardener herself.  Some of her words, "this five year old garden is open for the third time and is planned to be open every other year, so you can observe its progress.  Situated on a 1/4 acre city lot, it is being developed on a very modest budget, guided by a garden philosophy that strives to balance beauty, food production and  sustainability in each design decision.   the front garden welcomes neighbors to enjoy the cottage style beds, featuring an ever-changing tapestry of color that combines perennials, self-sowing annuals and shrubs."

A posted photo shows what the garden looked like five years ago.

Another use for bottles!  Cynthia says that because of the low position of the winter sun, it hits and warms the bottles which radiate heat to the soil in the bed and cause spring bulbs to bloom much earlier in this bed.

As we come in and move to the right, the hot driveway is now a perfect place for tomatoes to grow.

Shape echoes with the light cover and allium seed heads. 

I've  seen allium seed heads used in a lot of ways but never on the soil surface like this.  A fun way to cover ground where spring bulbs, perhaps the allium themselves,  have left a gap.

Passing through the rose garden. Artemisia 'Powis Castle' is the perfect foil for this bright rose!

"The sunny south side features vegetable production and a rose walk to the back garden entrance.  

"A more contemplative mood is the goal of the back gardens, featuring rest and entertainment areas along with a native plant garden which is certified as a backyard Wildlife Habitat."

I think I spy some wildlife now!

Bird feeders inside a bird cage made me laugh.  The idea was that this would keep squirrels and other vermin from eating the seed. Seems that they can squeeze themselves through the bars fairly well.

 "New this year ar alternate choices replacing several drought-tolerant plants that drowned in the very wet late winter of 2014, a newly installed rain garden, three newly planted huegelkultur berms, many native plant additions, and some new garden art."

Garden shed/greenhouse building is a perfect spot to consult the oracle.

"Once again your own gardening questions may be answered through a consultation using the Gaian Tarot provided by fellow NPA gardener Karen Brighton."

Cynthia was happy to show us this area in which she's spread all sorts of mushroom spores.  The rains of autumn should bring a nice crop!

Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalon) 

Moving back to the front garden.  Here's another before picture. 

And after. 

Perhaps you got a glimpse of this in earlier images of the front garden.  A diseased cherry tree had to be removed.  Instead of totally removing it, Cynthia decided to create what she calls her chairy tree.  (Groan.)

 Thanks, Cynthia, for opening your garden!