The Yakima Garden of Linda Knutson and Ron Sell

On July 22, we drove to Yakima in the central part of Washington state which is part of the low desert area of the state (Six inches of rainfall a year, summertime highs in the 90 - 100 degree range; winter lows can reach 0 (-18C) and occasionally lower) and were able to tour four gardens there.  You may recall this post about the Hillside Desert Botanical Garden  which is located in the same town.  I'll warn you in advance that there are a lot of pictures in this post.   It was a bittersweet visit as Ron told us that his wife and gardening partner, Linda, had passed away this spring.

Fused glass panel artfully incorporated into the siding of an outbuilding. 

 

Too hot and sunny for a fern table?  How about this? 

From the Northwest Perennial Alliance Open Gardens book:  " Our garden is the combined effort of two confirmed rock addicts and plant lovers.  Starting in 1995, we have transformed over four acres of former sheep pasture into a variety of garden areas, accessed by meandering gravel and stone pathways.  Trellises, arbors and hedges add structure and help to define the spaces.  Dry stacked walls of native stone terrace the hillsides, and numerous rockeries provide niches for alpines, natives, heathers, and dwarf conifers."

Here's Ron talking with Ron about his gorgeous garden. 

"Many areas are designed for multi-season interest, combining trees, shrubs, grasses, vines, ground covers, and perennials.  Two hillside gardens feature drought tolerant plants.  Throughout the garden are numerous sitting and dining areas accented with garden art and small water features."

Tender cacti and euphorbia enjoying a summer vacation outside. 

"We also have a large water feature, which includes three ponds of varying sizes, connected by a meandering stream which you can cross via Ron's stone arch bridge."

Ron's rock work is impressive as is the fact that Ron and Linda did everything in this garden themselves.

"An automated drip irrigation system keeps the plants watered on a regular basis, a necessity on the eastside of the Cascades. (The mountain range that separates the wet winter western part of the state from the inland, dry part.)  Our garden is designed for both human enjoyment and the dining pleasure of birds, bees, and butterflies."

A real mushroom emerging between the cracks in a path. 

Just when Ron's rock work had thoroughly impressed us, the stone master topped himself with this amazing stone archway, which, had we entered the garden from the opposite side, would have been it's entrance.

Looking back.  

Thank you, Linda and Ron, for creating this amazing oasis for so many to enjoy and thank you, Ron, for your hospitality!