Author: Whatcom Hort Society

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”933,939,938,937,936,935,934″ img_size=”medium” speed=”4000″ slides_per_view=”3″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes”][vc_column_text]You will think you are in Italy! Heather’s vision of a Mediterranean landscape comes to life in this garden. When she moved here 7 years ago, there were a small number of garden beds throughout. She expanded them in the front to create a carefully woven border of mixed shrubs and conifers that encircles the yard. A spectacular thornless yellow rose covers the front arches on the lower story of the house. On the left side of the house a planting of katsura, cotinus coggygria, weigelia and a ceanothus adds interest. Be sure to view it from above while on the small terrace in the back.

Heather first worked with a garden designer but then took over the planning herself. Heather’s pruning and design skills have had a unique effect on the garden.
In the back, a terraced yard was created with retaining walls and iron fencing.
A fiberglass swimming pool was lifted into place. Rosemary, Russian sage and other Mediterranean plants are laid out in sweeps. A repetition of topiary pots and slim evergreens punctuate the garden while foliage and color combinations
create a calm, uncluttered look.

Don’t miss Heather’s tapestry inspired fountain filled with succulents that is the center piece of the vegetable garden. Enjoy your stroll through this Italian garden.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”All Gardens” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:%2Fcategory%2Fgarden-tour%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”991,971,972,973,974″ img_size=”medium” speed=”3000″ slides_per_view=”3″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes”][vc_column_text]Nestled on a corner lot and sitting on a hill above residential streets is a carefully maintained garden that was first planted in 2002. Desiree has surrounded the side and front of her home with a wonderful variety of conifers, both large and small, anchoring their home to street level while adding amazing textures. She has created an Asian feel to her garden using her flair combining colors with her exceptional use of small conifers. Mixed in with the conifers are maples, rhododendron and hydrangeas and a magnificent tall Fagus Sylvatica ‘purpurpea pendula’ (weeping beech).

The front corner of the yard features a waterfall and koi pond with lilies and pond plants. This sunny garden has lower plantings to allow you to look beyond to the view. Through the arbor you come to a gate that leads to the elaborate backyard kitchen garden and a shade garden.

You’ll find much to enjoy back here from the wall of espaliered Asian pears and potted columnar apple trees that are 6-7 years old, having blueberries in a pen with metal netting, to her using pieces of rock interplanted with sedums and Irish moss creating patterned walkways. Enjoy this complex and elegant garden.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”All Gardens” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:%2Fcategory%2Fgarden-tour%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”961,967,966,965,964,963,962″ img_size=”medium” speed=”3000″ slides_per_view=”3″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes”][vc_column_text]In 1999 Kathy and Robert began creating this personal sanctuary. Nestled on 10 acres—with 5 acres of wooded trails and a half-acre pond, nature is encouraged and treated gently. The habitat supports a variety of birds, dragonflies, frogs and salamanders. The gardens are intensively planted with a playful mix of old-fashioned favorites and uncommon gems. Kathy’s gardening approach is to combine foliage, color, and texture into a rich tapestry of year-long, constantly-shifting interest. Because of the large scale, the beds are designed to be engaging from a distance and up close. Newer additions include a seasonal stone creek bed, octagonal gazebo, greenhouse, and bridge (in the woods).
Large flowering beds contain swaths of perennials and mature shrubs. Bold tropical texture abounds in the woodland garden with gunnera, darmera peltata, and other outsized plants.

An arboretum is in its infancy with many of the trees grown by Kathy from seedlings. These include Japanese Maples, Paperbark Maples, Stewartia, and Flowering Dogwood. A grove of Sequoiadendron giganteum, Giant Redwoods were planted a number of years ago. Kathy and Robert call their property Axton Gardens and find it both a peaceful sanctuary and a great outdoor gym.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”All Gardens” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:%2Fcategory%2Fgarden-tour%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”953,954,952,955,956,957,958″ img_size=”medium” speed=”3000″ slides_per_view=”3″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes”][vc_column_text]Hidden within the plush garden of Judy and Jack Boxx are a multitude of curiosities waiting to be discovered. At the entry, you’re sure not to miss the biggest one, an authentic working windmill inherited from Judy’s father. Around the natural stream and pond are hostas, ferns, maples and vines. There’s a working water wheel and ducks live there too. A three-pillar fountain of rock and stained glass, created by Judy, was inspired by a trip to England. A new torii gate with a large multicolored gong and golden symbols brightens a shaded area. The knot garden on the left side of the house was created after trips to Spain and England. An elaborate use of boxwood extends throughout the garden with most plants being started from cuttings. Antique carts fill the yard and Judy’s love for begonias, fuchsias and geraniums is evident all through the garden.

Their love of water features showcases Jack’s mechanical abilities and Judy’s mosaic artwork. There’s a dove cote, tiled pond and a very unusual phantom bicycle pond. Be sure to continue on to the very back to view the vegetable garden surrounded by fruit trees. And there’s more antiques! The Boxx’s lush garden of 1.5 acres has evolved over 50 years. It continues to grow, and it is a garden that you will not forget.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”All Gardens” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:%2Fcategory%2Fgarden-tour%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”949,947,946,943,942″ img_size=”medium” speed=”3000″ slides_per_view=”3″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes”][vc_column_text]When Kathy and Joe retired in 2003, they moved to these 15 acres nestled in the rolling hills. The property had been neglected and so they set to work; Kathy became a sheep farmer and landscaper and Joe worked in the orchard espaliering the apple, pear and plum trees. Kathy’s vision was to integrate the landscaping with the farm and 15 years later her vision and design have succeeded! Wanting to have as little garden work as possible, the majority of plants are perennials that die back in the winter. A garden room overwinters tender plants and next to it a cast iron bathtub is planted with parsley, chives and golden oregano. Across the driveway is a lovely pergola with golden hops, hosta, gorgeous redbud trees and a firepit surrounded by colorful chairs. There is a charming stream by a sunroom filled with colorful geraniums. As you wander towards the actual farm area you’ll pass by the” Chicken Brothel” and the “Ewes Hotel” before coming to the orchard. Fruit is donated to the foodbank and high school horticulture classes come here to learn pruning of fruit trees. Joe’s special spot, a covered lean-to is a place where you can watch the deer, owls, and red-tailed hawks in the maple grove. No longer a working farm, there are still a few chickens and sheep you can say Hi to when you visit![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”All Gardens” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:%2Fcategory%2Fgarden-tour%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]