My pal Alison of Bonney Lassie, Tom, and I hitched a ride on a Washington State ferry just like the ones on "Grey's Anatomy" to Vashon Island to attend our first group of Northwest Perennial Alliance Open Gardens.
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This sign from the ferry is reassuring. It seems that if you're falling apart, you can get yourself together here.
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Here we are arriving at Vashon Island. I love the relaxed pace of the island and the friendly folks who live there. It's only a 10 minute ferry ride from Tacoma, where I live, 20 from Seattle but it feels like it's much farther away.
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The Garden of Jonathan Morse is located on the north shore of the island and is, I'm assuming, where Jonathan came up with the name of his business, North Shore Garden Design. The first area we explored was this one with the beach view closest to the parking area. As we came down the driveway, we saw fabulous sets of gates which we thought led to the gardens of neighbors. We learned that these were all part of North Shore Gardens!
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Here's a view of the very ferry that we just arrived on making another crossing. The spot on the water fairly close to the dry part of the shore just about in the middle of the picture is a Great Blue Heron doing a little fishing. Unfortunately I didn't bring my big zoom lens with me.
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Do deer, of which there is a large population on the island, like hostas or is this slug damage?
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Another of my plant favorites, Podophyllum delavayi. Jonathan reports that he's found seedlings of these far from the parent plants coming up between rocks in full sun so something is transporting the seeds.
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Red Orach is a reseeding annual and I'm told that once you have it, you've got it for as long as you want it. I found a plant of it at the Vashon Farmers Market later in the day.
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What a wonderful property with towering evergreens as backdrop and views of the bay! It's an island, there's a lot of that kind of thing happening there!
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Hill from Jonathan's home to the main house with quintessential Pacific Northwest plants, Salal and sword ferns both evergreen.
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In one part of the garden Giant Horsetail was allowed to grow. I know it's considered a weed but I think it's gorgeous and it's a native to boot!
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Alison and I decided that we would post in opposite order of each other so she'll be starting with the garden with which I'll be ending. Our posts will meet somewhere in the middle. Be sure to check out her upcoming posts here!
This sign from the ferry is reassuring. It seems that if you're falling apart, you can get yourself together here.
Here we are arriving at Vashon Island. I love the relaxed pace of the island and the friendly folks who live there. It's only a 10 minute ferry ride from Tacoma, where I live, 20 from Seattle but it feels like it's much farther away.
The Garden of Jonathan Morse is located on the north shore of the island and is, I'm assuming, where Jonathan came up with the name of his business, North Shore Garden Design. The first area we explored was this one with the beach view closest to the parking area. As we came down the driveway, we saw fabulous sets of gates which we thought led to the gardens of neighbors. We learned that these were all part of North Shore Gardens!
Pulmonaria foliage is one of my many favorites!
I could live with a view like this!
The staircase down from the deck was flanked with pot groupings.
Do you think that Jonathan likes Agaves?
Maybe we should descend the staircase to think about it.
Looking a little dangerous, don't you think?
From the blurb in the tour book:
Tucked into a long, narrow ravine, surrounded by century-old Douglas firs and Western red cedars, North Shore Gardens is divided into several distinct garden spaces. As you enter the property, a large gateway, built from log rounds, leads you into the Orchard Garden, where you will find a potager, perennial beds, a shade garden and a small grove of fruit trees. Farther down, the land slopes toward the Puget Sound. On the left is a terraced hillside garden with a small greenhouse and paths leading to the main house. The entrance to the main house is formalized by a succulent/alpine garden and a massive arbor - complete with a living roof that "drips" succulents onto the ground below. a narrow path meanders along the side of the main house out to the front and a spectacular view over the sound.
Honeysuckle lines one of the paths. Must be very fragrant at night and early morning.
Here's a view of the very ferry that we just arrived on making another crossing. The spot on the water fairly close to the dry part of the shore just about in the middle of the picture is a Great Blue Heron doing a little fishing. Unfortunately I didn't bring my big zoom lens with me.
Do deer, of which there is a large population on the island, like hostas or is this slug damage?
Loved this!
More Fabulous pots!
The aforementioned succulent-dripping arbor.
Part of the succulent tapestry that carpets the ground in the alpine/garden.
Looking back at the main house.
The shiny smooth trunks of Manzanita - Yum!
As you can imagine, this fuchsia was quite alive with humming bird wings.
Another of my plant favorites, Podophyllum delavayi. Jonathan reports that he's found seedlings of these far from the parent plants coming up between rocks in full sun so something is transporting the seeds.
Delightful grouping of Arisaemas.
Inspired combination of Arisaemas and Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
Amazing entrance to the Orchard Garden.
Purple and gold is a favorite combination and one area that kept drawing me was this one with Cerinthe purpurascens, Geranium 'Ann Folkard', and Red Orach, another edible relative of spinach.
The Cerinthe was simply glowing in the bright overcast morning.
Red Orach is a reseeding annual and I'm told that once you have it, you've got it for as long as you want it. I found a plant of it at the Vashon Farmers Market later in the day.
What a wonderful property with towering evergreens as backdrop and views of the bay! It's an island, there's a lot of that kind of thing happening there!
Hooray, it's cardiocrinum season!
Looking toward the potager with the orchard just behind and a tiny view of the bay.
Another gorgeous gold and purple combination.
The potager.
Tradescantia "Sweet Kate" (guessing)
Hill from Jonathan's home to the main house with quintessential Pacific Northwest plants, Salal and sword ferns both evergreen.
In one part of the garden Giant Horsetail was allowed to grow. I know it's considered a weed but I think it's gorgeous and it's a native to boot!
And here's the gardener who does all of this himself although he gets some help from his parents who also live on the property. Jonathan has done all of this over the last 16 years. (That must have made him about 10 years old when he started.)
