Back on July First Greg Olsen and Avery Denise Armstrong opened their garden for the Northwest Perennial Alliance and I was lucky enough to visit. The glare of late afternoon sun was not particularly conducive to taking good garden pictures.
"Our garden is now 4 years old. The previous garden had to be removed when the old house was demolished to make way for the new contemporary and accessible house that now occupies the site. Visitors to the garden are greeted by the sunny golden leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisa.'"
"The new garden is in many ways a reflection of the house; it focuses on sustainability, ease of care, and accessibility."
Ornamental grasses, euphorbias, and ceanothus mingle with a wide variety of colorful berberis."
"To make your way into the sunken garden visitors can stroll or roll their way down an accessible gravel ramp that is bordered by all silver foliaged plants including multiple varieties of lavenders, sedums, and nepetas."
"Also on hand in the front and back gardens are numerous pots filled with a combination of showy annuals and fun perennials."
View of the house from the sunken garden behind.
Greg reports that this Rhodocoma capensis spent the winter outside in this pot and didn't miss a beat.
A path leads back up the other side of the house back to the front garden.
All too soon, it was time to go.
Thanks Greg and Avery for opening your garden for us all to enjoy!
Funny the things one notices: great plants but what about those garden edges that meet gravel. It will be an endless job keeping that clean. I know since we have the same thing! And living where it snows a lot I couldn't help but think you would never design a roof line that held snow with a dip in the center here in Wisconsin. So the climate difference is immediately apparent and not just from the plants! Love that yellow Robinia.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is delightful and fits the house beautifully. Now I want to know more about the house and its design!
ReplyDeleteI know it didn't get as cold there as it did here, but that Rhodocoma spending the winter in a container is still impressive! Growing in a container is like growing in a climate one zone colder. Makes me think that restio is worth trying here!
ReplyDeleteThe combination of proximity to water and urban heat island really helped. I had a potted Rhodocoma capensis make it through the winter but it was right next to the greenhouse and had overhanging vegetation to protect it. Some years, they've croaked in the ground. Seems like a bit of a crap shoot. Dan Hinkley grows them in the ground at Windcliff in sheltered spots.
DeleteLove this. The feel is terrific--even in photographs. Makes me want to go to there.
ReplyDeleteLove that house! Love that Robinia...
ReplyDeleteThe garden is beautiful and that Robinia is really a scene stealer but I am absolutely in love with the house!
ReplyDeleteThe Robinia sucked me in - I fell in love with it at first sight. I looked it up. Fast growing! Drought tolerant! Suitable to my climate! But then I found an article on Gardening Gone Wild about how someone else's love affair with it went sour. I think this may qualify as the fastest end to a plant crush I've ever had. I did appreciate the garden, though - it looks fairly mature despite being only 4 years old.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful garden. I loved that Robinia. What a wonderful bright, happy, green color. This garden is so neat and orderly, something my gardens will never be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady
This is a modern garden I can appreciate. Love all the color and plants.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you came through! I'm Avery, the plant person behind this garden. You must have come by at the end of the day, we had been on the West Seattle Garden tour the previous weekend and then the NPA tour the next. I had to take a nap! LOL. Am so sorry to have missed you, I've read your blog for years and now my garden is in it I'm so thrilled.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for the kind words. To Kris RE the Robinia. I read the exact same article you mentioned! I took a chance anyway, the lot was so bare after the house went in I wanted something fast growing but pretty so took the plunge. Fingers crossed we don't get a lot of suckers.
Your posts about the NPA tours you've been on this year are making me bummed that I didn't reup my membership. D'oh. Wish I could have seen this garden in person.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun looking house! I love all the splashes of chartreuse foliage in the garden. It really ties everything together! That Robinia is such a gorgeous tree. They've really done so much in just four years!
ReplyDeleteThey got so much done. Hard to believe it's only a 4 years old garden. I drool over the foxtail lilies I spotted by the house. I must try them again in a well draining bed.
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