At the end of May, Blogger pal Alison (Bonney Lassie) and I met our friend Emily (All Things Emily) in Bellevue to tour four gardens that were open as part of the Northwest Perennial Alliance Open Gardens for the first time this year. What fun we had! First on the tour was the garden of Udell Fresk.
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"Turning a yard into a garden requires a plan; simple, keep the rhodies and replace the ivy and vinca with heather. Until I attended my first NPA plant sale! I became addicted. Like Ciscoe, I had to have one of everything."
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"My creationist plan gave way to evolution and survival of the fittest. Instead of ivy and vinca there are epimediums, gunnera, tetrapanax, fatsia, fuchsias, hardy cyclamen, hostas, podophyllum, jasmine, and others whose tags got away and names are forgotten."
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"Please stop by,tour my garden, tell me what you like and don't. I'm still a beginner and welcome your advice." Udell was as charming as her furry friend and was a gracious host although she didn't lick our hands. On the other hand she did make us refreshments.
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Red begonias stand out like jewels among the hostas and draw us to explore the path.
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In the other direction is a sloping garden with beautiful punctuation like this Trachycarpus forrtunei.
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Remember the trunk from the patio picture? It belongs to this tetrapanax which actually bloomed last year. It's in a very sheltered location between two houses. It's the only one in the PWN that I've heard of actually beating the frost. Udell said that she enjoyed a nice view from her bedroom window of the blooms from above. How cool is that?
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The secret of a great open garden is an exuberant host. We were greeted by this adorable guy who wanted to make sure we saw the sign!
Udell's words will guide us: "Seventeen years ago, our hillside lot was covered with English ivy, vinca, and rhodies. Not being a gardener, I didn't mind, this was easy maintenance."
"Then I went to the Bellevue Botanical Garden and Garden d'Lights! I loved the lights and became involved, not only with lights but with people, wonderful people. Next I joined the NPA, fisited fabulous gardens, discovered English ivy was bad, and needed to do something about my yard."
"Turning a yard into a garden requires a plan; simple, keep the rhodies and replace the ivy and vinca with heather. Until I attended my first NPA plant sale! I became addicted. Like Ciscoe, I had to have one of everything."
"My creationist plan gave way to evolution and survival of the fittest. Instead of ivy and vinca there are epimediums, gunnera, tetrapanax, fatsia, fuchsias, hardy cyclamen, hostas, podophyllum, jasmine, and others whose tags got away and names are forgotten."
A formal area near the entry lends elegance and structure near the entry of the house.
"Come on guys, there's lots more to see!" beckons our tour guide.
This beautifully grown specimen has me thinking that I've got to find space for a gunnera in my garden. I've missed not having one for the last few years. (Mine got shaded out, declined and was done in by the phormium killing winters.)
"Please stop by,tour my garden, tell me what you like and don't. I'm still a beginner and welcome your advice." Udell was as charming as her furry friend and was a gracious host although she didn't lick our hands. On the other hand she did make us refreshments.
Red begonias stand out like jewels among the hostas and draw us to explore the path.
In the other direction is a sloping garden with beautiful punctuation like this Trachycarpus forrtunei.
Restful seating area at the base of the first staircase. Notice the trunk on the left.
Quercus dentata pinnatifida is a favorite tree. I'm now in love with this garden and it's gardener!
I love Paris (polyphylla) in the springtime, I love Paris in the Fall. (Apologies to Cole Porter)
The garden is in progress and the path to the street below is blocked.
Remember the trunk from the patio picture? It belongs to this tetrapanax which actually bloomed last year. It's in a very sheltered location between two houses. It's the only one in the PWN that I've heard of actually beating the frost. Udell said that she enjoyed a nice view from her bedroom window of the blooms from above. How cool is that?
Thanks for stopping by! Come visit again o.k?
Thank you so much, Udell, for opening your beautiful garden for us to enjoy and for providing us such a sweet tour guide!