A Lifetime of Gardening: The Garden of Sylvia Duryee

"This garden has about 50 fern specdies, small to large, and some 45 species of other plants and shruibs, along with many natives.  There are six arisaema species and five Asarum species.  there are also hepaticas and primulas, including repens, and pulsillom.  There is a scree garden and a vegetable garden on top of the carport roof.  I grow many plants from seed and ferns from spore.  This property has been in my hands for over 50 years.  I look forward to visitors."  - Mrs. Duryee's description of her garden.

Upon parking the car, we are impressed with the size of this holly hedge.  Notice the potato plants emerging in front of the hedge.

The house, built in 1925, sits on a .33 acre lot packed with quite an assortment of plants!  We weren't able to speak with Mrs. Duryee but her gardener of 30 years was very enthusiastic about showing off the garden.

 This place had a very peaceful, comfortable and lived-in feeling.  Fifty of Mrs Duryee's eighty eight years have been spent in this garden, planting, editing, evolving.

 I loved the density of plantings which left very little soil visible.  

This well thought out garden is at once both  wild and cultivated, naturalistic and formal. 

Imagine hearing stories of fifty Seattle winters of losses and survivors, of the plants grown here over the years, the snow storms and droughts.

Skunk cabbage and ferns.  If the garden could talk, what tales would it tell.

Here's part of the rooftop vegetable garden above the carport.  

A view of the side garden from the carport roof.

Back on ground level are these miniature scree gardens.  

On the way back out of the garden.

 A glance back at the front porch reveals vases of garden souvenirs. 

Thank you, Mrs Duryee,  for opening your garden and for such a memorable visit to your special garden!