Alison and I first visited this garden two years ago also on a Northwest Perennial Alliance tour. You can see that post here.
"Our half-acre property has seen dramatic changes during the last 13 years. In 2001, we began by building a deck, a greenhouse, a garden shed, a pond, a creek, and fences all around to keep the deer out. In 2003, after a large cottonwood tre fell and damaged our house and landscape, the ral changes began."
Lovely Black-Eyed Susans (rudbeckia) but aren't they a little early this year?
"After rebuilding the house, we conentrated on replacing most of the lawn with theme gardens and water features. The focus has been to feature year-round interest with blooming trees, Japanese maples, hydrangeas, hostas, ferns, dahlias and lilies."
This hydrangea and Monarda combination is outstanding and could easily be copied.
Monarda and hypericum berries look swell together too!
Beginning of the "tropical garden"
So many paths to take.
Love that dark maroon dahlia!
The garden is densely planted and great discoveries are to be found around every corner.
Is this seating area new?
Garden shed.
Nice grouping of hosta in the shade.
Looking back at the bridge.
This lily is perfect against the red background!
Garden bench made with plates with a florid pattern equal to that of the garden!
There are so many nice places to sit in this garden that one wishes to linger, maybe even read a book.
Alison spotted this great combination of tri-colored beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Tricolor') berberis,and Persicaria 'Painter's Palette.'
One of the most nicest things about visiting this garden is walking back to the house/deck, sipping lemonade, eating cookies that Larry baked, and enjoying the company of the delightful Deckers.
What a wonderful garden, Peter! The first and third photos are stunning. I also liked the nice bridge and a pond near it, beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure to share with you, my friend!
DeleteIt really is a lovely garden! I love that bench with the plates.
ReplyDeleteit sure is. I keep thinking that those plates are too nice for outdoor use!
DeleteYOU are so lucky to visit all these beautiful gardens. What a wonderful way to begin my day looking at all these glorious colors and textures. Thank you. ;-) FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteI am indeed! Many of the gardens I visit are In a book of open gardens that the Northwest Perennial Alliance sends out to its members each year. For thirty-five dollars you get the book, a quarterly newsletter, infrequent interesting emails, and lots of other perks of membership (like you can hold your own garden open.) Check out their website here: www.N-P-A.org
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the Decker garden, it is beautiful!
I love the "lost in the jungle" type gardens, and was thinking that this was much like Mark&Gaz's place where there's just a path through a mass of fabulous plants. Then I saw the lawn in the last photos... I suppose they want a bit of open space, right? Love it!
ReplyDeleteAlso: I love all of these garden visit posts, but I'm kind of eager to see how your garden is doing right now. I saw blooms and foliage and some vignettes, but I want to see you "visit" your own garden and photograph it like it's new to you! :)
DeleteThe Deckers are lucky enough to have enough a lost in jungle garden, a really nice front garden and a good sized lawn for entertaining/ play.
DeleteGreat idea about doing a tour of my garden. I keep forgetting that you all don't see it every day like I do.
What a lovely garden! They've accomplished loads and love all the different rooms and winding pathways that give a sense of journey and discovery :)
ReplyDeleteThe paths and journey through this garden is delightful. So many destinations to discover!
DeleteIt's doubly pleasurable to visit with a friend. You and Alison find all the best features of a garden. This one is a delight to explore.
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot: do they still have a greenhouse?
DeleteAlison and I always have fun on our adventures! They still have and use the greenhouse. Not many plants inside at this time.
DeleteAnother lovely garden. That photo of the lily in front of the red wall is one for the scrapbook - or maybe a calendar.
ReplyDeleteThey were pretty clever to plant that lily there, weren't they?
DeleteI envy the rustic tool shed; it looked move-in ready to me...
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Monarda, but seeing it here makes me want to try it. The follower looks similar to Echinacea, just more frazzled.
I wonder if the Deckers would notice if someone moved into their tool shed. What a dream to live in their beautiful garden! Monarda is a great plant, related to mint, and a hummingbird magnet. Look for mildew -resistant varieties as that seems to be it's only drawback.
DeleteMakes me tired just reading about the many projects the "Double Deckers" have undertaken, but
ReplyDeletewow, such results! And recovering in the garden they have made must have restorative powers.
They really hit the ground running but they do love being in and sharing their beautiful garden!
Delete1/2 acre may not sound like much to some but to me it's a huge space--and this post shows how much can be packed into it. So much beauty, with a touch of mystery.
ReplyDelete1/2 acre would be a dream!! Enough to be manageable and not so much as to be overwhelming. You've done an excellent job packing a lot of amazing plants into your own space, Mr. Bock!
DeleteHere is another garden I had to miss because we were open the same day. But like you, I was there two years ago and it's loveliness in imprinted on my memory. It is a very special garden.
ReplyDeleteIt is a special garden! These tours are full of special places and people!
DeleteI love blue lacecap hydrangeas like the one in the sixth picture. I always see ones like that in coastal towns and they bring back fond memories.
ReplyDelete