The Garden of Pam and Karl Hillsenberg

Our last stop on the Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour was the Hillsenberg garden.  The Rhododendron Species Garden and the Pacific Bonsai Museum were also on the tour but having seen them before, we decided to skip them.

"Our garden is diverse and ever changing."

This grouping brought a smile!

There's some serious sense of play in this garden.  

There's always an Agave!  (parryi var. truncata?  Guessing.)

"It is structured by luck and what plants are willing to stay dspite the wetness of the lake, slugs, and an occasional hard freeze in late spring."

Beds full of cheerful blooms were everywhere in this garden. 

Someone seems to be sitting down on the job but look at the fire he built.

The back of the house. 

Fun stepping stones.

 View from the back of the house.  We all need a water feature like this in our back yards, right?

Interesting structure!  

"Each year  is a new combo of plant experiments and 'what's that?' is a common yard tour song.  The garden rooms offer different views and framing of beautiful Trout Lake." 

Thank you Pam and Karl for opening your garden!

I hope you all  have a tranquil weekend!

The Garden of Susan and Guy Pittman Encore

You may remember a previous visit to this garden as I had the pleasure of a private tour in September of last year. Previous post here. This year, it was the seventh garden on the Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour and right next door to Andersen's Italian Escape.

"You'v heard of plant obsession?   Come and see the garden of one truly afflicted.  Everything is fair game - and not just on or two species in a genus.  Grasses, daphnes, lilies, irises, evergreens, magnolias, and their relatives, etc. ar all tied up in eclectic variety in box borders."

A garden after my own heart, full of great plants!  

My garden wishes it were as tidy as this one!

"To augment the cacophony are the concrete creations of Guy.  Giant balls, pots, and benches add just the right amount of art."

"Add a pond and you've got heaven on earth in this four season garden."

The placement of this pot is perfect. (for an agave to thrive in it)

 Great structure/design and an enviable collection of plants.  Who could ask for more?

Perhaps a small hill.  Got that too!

The greenhouse, that had just been started last year is now complete.  Guy built this from scratch too. Is there anything that man can't make?

Beautifully set at the top of the hill, it makes a great focal point.  The plant at the far right is my pal Alison, the Bonney Lassie and my partner in garden touring/plant shopping  crime.  

Lobelia tupa looking especially nice, but then all of the plants in the Pittman garden looked very happy and healthy!

Thanks Susan and Guy for opening your "heaven on earth" for us all to enjoy!

Andersen's Italian Escape

The next stop on the Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour was the garden of Donna-Mari and Chuck Andrsen. 

"Our Italian escape is a mix of formal hedges, framed green 'bowling lawns,' statuesque Italian cypress, and a smattering of whimsical English and Pacific Northwest inspired plantings along with several Italian-style concrete statues."

At the top of the driveway is this entry garden.

On one side of the house.

A view back from across the large sports court, 

 The back of the home features this fabulous covered outdoor kitchen.  I wish my indoor kitchen were this spacious and beautiful!

From inside the kitchen looking at the dining area.

Breakfast bar.

"The property lends a very neat and formal attitude while still exuding the natural style and whimsy of comfort."  

 Pergola on the south side of the house next to the "South Bowling Green."

Love the hug serpentine mixed border.  What a perfect lawn; glad I don't have to mow it!

 Looking back at the pergola and house.  

Lovely stream.  

Past the water feature the path continues on to

another seating area.

The featured artist in this garden was Dehanna Jones Totally Blown Glassworks whose work you may have seen at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show or a variety of other venues.

More of Dehanna's work and an excuse to get one last peek of this lovely space.

Thank you Donna-Marie and Chuck for opening your garden for us to enjoy!