The hardscape and solid elements in the garden create an anchor for the plants and space. In the public garden I worked at, the original gardener had used stone extensively. She had a stone staircase, rock gardens with 20 and 40 tons respectively and a gully wall that was created out of stone. All were made from granite from the Cascade Mountains, the local mountain range. This brought the mountain, literally, right into the garden. When we decided to add a terrace and an alp

Western Red Cedar – Thuja plicata Today is one of those cold winter days in the Northwest, highs just in the 40s and raining. It’s really the kind of day I don’t want to be out working in the garden but I don’t mind a walk-about. Everywhere I see little signs of spring but what I really appreciate are the simple things like the color and texture of the bark, mosses and lichens. I’m fortunate to have big trees with stunning trunks. There are a couple Western Red Cedars, a cou

Amelanchier x grandiflora in spring This is a continuation of the blog from last week about that in-between layer in the garden canopy. I was fortunate that there were already a few nice small trees already on the property. The first one being Serviceberry, Amelanchier x grandiflora, This small tree has a profusion of white blooms in spring and wonderful dark fall color. Planted not far from it was a Spindle Tree, Euonymus sachalinensis. This also has nice white flowers in sp

textural and color contrast When we moved to Old Goat Farm we brought with us about 60 different types of Hostas. Reliable and hardy with countless combinations of leaf color, shape, and texture, hostas appeal to gardeners because of their fabulous foliage. We use them throughout the garden as a great texture plant. Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ on the fern table. Hostas are herbaceous, mounding perennials, hardy to Zones 3 or 4, depending on the variety.

Adding texture in a mixed border Ornamental grasses are suited to almost any kind of garden, from traditional to modern, from city to country. Grasses can be the solution to a number of gardening problems. They can add color, texture, movement and even year round interest. A single specimen can be used as an accent plant or planted in mass for more of an effect. They can even be used in groups as a screen. Most grasses don’t interfere with other plants. Blue Oat Grass and Jap

Old Yellow House Color is always an important attribute to the garden. The one unifying color at Old Goat Farm is yellow. It helps that the house is yellow so that the plants have a truly big anchor. We both are fond of yellow (and Green) so we tend to gravitate towards plants that are yellow or bloom yellow. yellow new growth on Epimedium and yellow blooms on lady’s mantle In a plant collectors garden, repetition of color is one way to tie the other plants together whether i

Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris Oh grow up! That’s what I tell people who say they have no more room in their gardens. What I mean is vertical. To add another dimension to the garden I like to plant tall plants that stay narrow and get good height. Dahlia imperialis Besides giving you a little more room it also adds more interest not to have all the plants about the same height. An example is, in one bed I have a Rhamnus ‘Fine Line’, a Berberis ‘Helmond Pillar’ and Dahlia i

Mount Rainier from the Chase Garden Today I’m meeting friend for lunch at the Chase Garden. This will probably be my last visit there since it is closing for good this Friday. I’m very saddened by the turn of events that has lead to this. Having worked for years in public horticulture and public gardens I can understand the reasons why but it doesn’t make it any less sad. There are many exceptional gardens in the Northwest. If you are like me, and have one that is close, you

Ross has been a sculptor for  more than 30 years. His primary skill is in metal casting. He works predominately in cast bronze but incorporates a variety of other materials into his pieces. Ross describes his work as ‘Future Primitive’. Ross has extensive experience in metal casting as well as cast cement and terrazzo. He has taught bronze casting at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, and ran the foundry and welding shop for the University of Washington Art Department for eig

I have been ‘Retired’ for 5 years, but for those 13 years at the garden I looked at it with different eyes. I was always on a schedule so would look to see what needed to be done next and kept this constant list not only in my head but also on paper. I did appreciate the state of the garden but since a garden is a living thing it needed constant care and that was my responsibility. Alpine staircase For the first few years after I retired, when I would return to the garden I w

path through the stumps That was 5 years ago and today it is stunning. The architecture of the wood stops you in your tracks and the plantings have softened it and created a magnificent garden. That is even before you realize the variety of planting material that exists there. This garden sits on a hillside above a pond so the borrowed view makes the site seem much larger. It blends beautifully into the larger garden. It is based on a simple principle of what happens when a t