The Garden of Joen and Howie Parks

On July 27,  Alison and I visited several gardens in a group  called "Treasures in the South Sound" on the Northwest Perennial Alliance Open Gardens book.    The first of these was this sweet garden. 

"Ours is a collector's garden, downsized from two acres...to less than a half acre four years ago." 

The front of the house features a nice assortment of small conifers and Japanese maples along serpentine grass paths.

 Terraced up from the street, this garden has relatively low maintenance requirements, other than the lovely lawn bits, and fits into the neighborhood nicely.

Some people do such a beautiful job of making combination pots. 

 The swath of lawn in the back garden along with some great older evergreens give the garden a peaceful feel. The gentle undulating lines of the flower beds is particularly appealing. 

 These stained glass panels were part of the greenhouse in the Parks' former garden.  Mr. Parks crafted this trellis to incorporate them.

Lovely texture contrasts in this mixed bed.

A kindred spirit,  Joen also loves tuberous begonias and keeps her tubers from year to year.

I guess when you find someone else who's a little crazy, it makes you feel better about yourself, right?

So beautiful and so well grown.  What a treat!

The garden shed is well integrated into the garden.

Alison pauses to take a picture of  this gorgeous hydrangea.  Don't know the name, do you?

Just for you Alison, since you asked yesterday (the post about moose) where squirrel was. 

My heart went pit a pat when I saw this nice big clump of Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty,' one of my favorite plants!

Who doesn't love allium seed heads scattered around the garden?

Or those of clematis?

 

 

Rhododendron with gorgeous indumentum.

 

 

 

An old lichen-covered bench acts as a trellis.  Sweet.

 Hope you enjoyed this quick tour of the Parks' garden.    And thank you Joen and Howie for opening your garden to us!