-

-
Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, July 6, 2018

Revisiting the Garden of Julie King and Paul Smith

You may recognize this garden from a visit last year.  You can see that post here.  When I saw that it was on the list of open gardens last weekend, I decided to have another look at this wonderful space.



A new crevice garden is being created in this parking stirp.

Eryngium giganteum 'Miss Willmott's Ghost'

You never know who you'll run into in this garden.


"Paul and I have influenced each other's plant choices for over 20 years, and now we are creating an exuberant garden together.  When Paul sold his house in 2015, we combined our gardens on Julie's small Seattle lot. Editing made room for Paul's collection of choice plants, such as Pseudopanax and Schefflera which complement Julie's artistic sense of design and color.


This time of year, it seems we're always watering.

My clivia always blooms in late winter but just look at this.  Paul says that they bloom  whenever they want to.

Last year, a grove of bamboo was being removed. In it's place is this colorful building.  "This spring, a garden shed in a corner of the backyard incorporates art glass and recycled materials."

Oh, that begonia.  

While the outer garden is visible from the street, this inner area allows privacy.  Yes, that's a tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica) on the left.

 On the other side of the wall from the dining/seating area.

 Itea ilicifolia

The garden has  many areas to sit and enjoy the views. 


And oh what views there are!



"A hogwire fence has added a friendly perimeter, encouraging passersby to enjoy the views into the garden."




The towering Cardiocrinum seedpods echo the steeple down the street. 
Tropaeolum tuberosum

Bromeliad in bloom.


Sinopanax formosanus.




Artemisia versicolor  'Seafoam' is never  seen in nurseries here although it's available through High Country Gardens.  I was lucky enough to snag a couple at a specialty plant sale last year. For some reason this plant makes me smile.

Will the collection of objects on the fence continue to grow? 



Cool finials on the fence posts. 



This well designed and impeccably maintained space appeals to foliage fiend and flower floozie alike.

The fence at the front of the house is new.  Last year, only the posts were in place.  A marvelous tapestry of hardy and tender succulents has been added between the public and private sidewalks.  I wonder if the tender ones might make it here?  This garden is so full of wonder that nothing would surprise me!
Thanks again Julie and Paul for sharing your garden!  

Have a great weekend all!

15 comments:

  1. That was a delight to go through, lovely garden with fine choice of plants!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A fun walk in the garden this Friday morning. A plethora of plants for all of us fiend and floozies. The clivia vignette is a favorite, but there are so many other creative details at every turn.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So the tree fern stays outside through the winter? I am jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So packed, I had to look at everything 3 or 4 times! Interesting that Eryngium is the most spiky plant there (from what I could see) -- not an Opuntia or Agave in sight?

    ReplyDelete
  5. It must be your climate because everyone has beautiful quirky plants and rarely any bare ground. I have lots of holes from things that died last winter that are still empty. Too many ideas and too many mosquitos.

    ReplyDelete
  6. We were pleased to be able to revisit this garden as part of the Hardy Plant Study weekend. I really like the addition of the fence. Look at all of the cool space to hang stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm surprised at just how much I like that hog-wire fence. With all the fine gardens you have available to tour - not to speak of the nurseries - it's amazing you have any time at all to work in your own garden. What's your secret? Have you found a way to give up sleeping?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My garden looks terrible except for 15 minutes a year on July 14 at midnight.

      Delete
  8. What a fun garden. Love that succulent bed, color and texture.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can see why you were drawn back to this garden. So much to see and it would take several trips through the garden to see it all, then you would wonder if you actually did see all and return again. I think only the nose knows if there will be more items placed on the fence.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Precious plants and fun decor! Thank you, Peter!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fun and beautiful garden. I can see why you wanted to visit a second time. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How gorgeous! I love their use of pops of color. Such a beautiful and lush garden, and those plants! It makes me want to move to the Northwest to garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Come west young woman! It really is a marvelous place to garden.

      Delete
  13. Beautiful. Except for the iguana.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.