Thursday, November 12, 2020

Visiting the Bellevue Botanical Garden, Part One

The weather was a big reason I took off for my my 2-day getaway to the Seattle area—back in early October—when I did, after all being outside was the goal (not just because I love it, but because of COVID).  So since the day was sunny and dry I made sure to leave Portland early enough to eek out a stop at the Bellevue Botanical Garden...

There is something extra special about a garden like this that doesn't charge admission. I'm not knocking those that do, I understand completely why that's necessary, but for people to be able to drop by, in and out, on a whim. Well I would imagine it fosters a certain sort of familiarity with the plantings throughout the seasons.

If I lived closer I'd be visiting this is beauty every month, Daphniphyllum teijsmannii 'Mountain Dove'.

I first discovered this stunner in 2016, it's grown quite a bit since then (see that visit here).

Stepping back to get a shot from a different angle, while also admiring the Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'...


Monster gunnera! 

And now I've worked my way over to the rock garden...


Which looks much more inspiring from a far, than it is when you're up close and personal. There is so much empty space!

I took a deep-dive this year into appreciation of Asplenium trichomanes, aka maidenhair spleenwort, these were looking quite lovely.



Looking back towards the education center.

And out into the wetland area (I think?), otherwise it's the waterwise garden, two very different things!

There was a sweet patch of Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' up near the house on the property, which acts as a coffee bar now.

That's also where you'll find this modified rill. I do love a good rill...(more tomorrow)...

Weather Diary, Nov 11: Hi 52, Low 36/ Precip 0 

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

14 comments:

  1. Wow, it's fantastic! And it being free to all entrants is remarkable too. It looks as though you had the place to yourself. Was that the case?

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    1. There were a few people milling about, but it was rather deserted, then again it was a weekday afternoon.

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  2. Bellevue Botanical Garden is outstanding, my admiration starts at the parking lot! I've visited twice this year, shlepping a lunch basket along. That Daphniphyllum is an eye candy. Down bellow grows a type of Begonia that that isn't too shabby either.
    Looking forward to part 2.

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    1. There is so much space for enjoying a lunch in the garden, good to know you're using it.

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  3. I love visiting this garden. It's such a great resource for people to see plants beyond the typical big box store palette, but it also uses the old standbys well, too.

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    1. It really is a great resource. I think that's what I was trying to say at the beginning ... but of course wasn't very concise (my usual issue).

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  4. Be honest. Weren't you just a teensy bit tempted to break off a stem of that fabulous Daphnphyllum? I sure would have been. Do they sell plants?

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    1. Grace Peterson! That's horrible! You wouldn't really do it would you? No, I was not. Yes, they do normally sell plants but not during COVID, sadly.

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  5. I envy you getting out. The Bellevue garden looks well maintained. The two gardens I visited this summer unfortunately were showing signs of neglect due to Covid. Looking forward to part 2

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    1. I've heard that being an issue in other botanical gardens, but you're right... not here!

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  6. They must have a generous endowment... a beautiful thing!

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    1. Now I'm curious as to just how they are funded. Off to research...

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  7. I love this too - another one to add to the list! I love rills too. I can't figure out how to incorporate one in the garden.

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    1. I feel like you need a really large garden to pull off a good rill.

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