Today's post is my final garden visit from a trip up to the Seattle/Bellevue area in mid-September, subject: my friend
Scott's garden. I first visited this garden back in 2021 (
here), and while there have been changes in the three years since, not so many that the garden didn't feel familiar.
I think I was better able to enjoy the garden this time because I knew the general layout, and (as Scott pointed out) the last time I visited I was still relearning how to walk after breaking my ankle and the resulting surgery. This is not a flat garden. Case in point, that steep staircase disappearing into the foliage.
There are shady bits, and sunny bits. Today we focus on the shade, and I'll warn you there are camera photos and phone photos mixed together, so the quality and color of the light is going to be a little random.
These first photos are all around the patio off the side of Scott's home.
Now we've climbed up one of the staircases to an upper level in the side garden. Scott built all of the retaining walls himself using tons of urbanite (aka recycled concrete).
I liked this simple rusty metal flower stake, we'll see more from the same
Ukrainian company on Friday.
One of Scott's three (I think?) wollemi pines, Wollemia nobilis.
It makes beautiful compost!
Storage? Casual artwork? Things waiting to rust?
Looking down to the patio where we started this tour.
Mahonia some somebody.
The dappled light makes it hard to see, but that's a comfy settee, should one have time to kick back for a bit.
There are many empty pots around the garden, Scott has suffered some plant tragedies these past few cold winters.
Puya! (I think)
There are so many containers throughout Scott's garden. He's a master at working them in so you don't really notice just how many there are.
You know I always hope to see a pyrrosia or two, I was not dissapointed.
Here Scott was reminding me that he purchased this bromeliad during our trip to
Rare Plant Research back in (maybe) 2022.
Another comfy sit-spot...
Parablechnum cordatum / Blechnum chilense with a begonia.
What a bunch of shady goodness right there...
Rhododendron orbiculare, maybe...
This staircase is new since my last visit, and very very fabulous. Those trunks belong to Eriobotrya japonica (loquat), that Scott planted in front of his home for screening and privacy. He decided to limb them up, and then built a staircase right through the middle.
I love it.
Aren't the trunks wonderful? Such beautiful bark. I came home and cut a few more branches off my loquat, which isn't nearly this tall... but someday!
I think Scott said he planted this adiantum.
Sinopanax formosanus
We're almost around to the back of Scott's home now, where we'll end today's post. Here you see a palm trunk that's been through better times, but is starting to sprout some new growth.
Come back on
Friday for a look at the sunny side of this inspiring garden.
All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Oooh, always pleased to see a shade lover's garden and all the fantastic foliage textures and colors. You always give me ideas with your posts, Loree - for that I am forever grateful. This is a beautiful garden, Scott.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the post Tamara, maybe Scott would entertain the idea of a GPP groups tour sometime?
DeleteGood god, this is like a coffee table book come to life.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite: "Another comfy sit-spot." I'd love to take a nap there!
Such a great garden with small spots like that throughout.
DeleteLove this. You know, I can go up stairs but not down so if there is an exit at the top level to get back around without stairs, I can do it. I remember a garden where I was able to exit in an alley at the top level and go back around the block to rejoin the touring party on the lower level! Also as you know, I have to use containers and boxes to achieve the cramscape look….not there yet because I only just figured out to do that to win over the sheets of maianthemum in my woods. This is the look I am going for. Looking forward to seeing the sunny side.
ReplyDeleteI think that situation applies here, if I am remembering correctly. Although you would miss some of the interior areas with stairs. Sunny side coming up tomorrow!
DeleteI'm impressed by all the builds using urbanite. It doesn't look as though it was mortared together either - was it? I like the idea of using nearly invisible pots too, although I'd probably miss them in the watering process and lose the plants as a result since I can't depend on Mother Nature to help out most of the year.
ReplyDeleteAll the walls are dry-stacked with rubble and quarter minus back-fill.
DeleteThank you for answering that one Scott! And Kris, no rain in the summer in Seattle so Scott has to remember where those thirsty pots are too.
DeleteGreat shots Loree!
ReplyDeleteI have just been looking on my big screen for a second time and this time I noticed that many of the plants are in pots. He has done really well to keep them looking so healthy :)
The new stairs flanked by the Loquat trunks are very cool.
They are the biggest Loquats I have seen on the internet. They must be a good old age?
The loquats are 17 years old. They started off as 18" seedlings in 1-gallon pots.
DeleteScott's many loquats are truly poster perfect for representing this under appreciated tree. I tried to find one in the Seattle area for a friend (at a nursery) and wasn't able.
DeleteOne of the best examples of cramscaping ever. So well maintained. Looking great!
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree!
DeleteI really enjoy this post of a most excellent shade garden. The limbed-up trunks and new stairs are absolutely gorgeous! I love the look of adiantum tucked in a rock crevices, and I'm more than a little envious of that rare conifer, Wollemia nobilis.
ReplyDeleteChavli
Scott has opened many times for garden tours Chavli (I think for the NPA?) you should keep an eye out for future opportunities!
DeleteWow. What a thoughtful garden and he's let the plants, rather than objects, star.
ReplyDeleteHe is a true plant geek!
DeleteLovely and peaceful. The begonias situated throughout add a nice splotch of colour and texture.
ReplyDeleteSo true, they're filling in for flowers in the shade.
DeleteDry stacked urbanite, no less! Out here it slowly slumps, tilts, and and slides. I need to pack a better base layer I guess. Scott must bring in some of his containers over winter, right?
ReplyDelete