Conifer Corner 

Overgrown and neglected in 2014, this midcentury home and garden now features a lush lawn and diverse plantings of trees, shrubs and perennials. The inviting deck, attractive fencing, and renewed plantings were all constructed and planted by the new owners. The forest of conifers, maples and NW natives provides a natural woodland feeling to the garden.

It’s easy to spot three of the original trees by their impressive size: birch, beech, and western hemlock.  Next to the entry path is a ‘Golden Spreader’ fir, its bright color contrasting with the neighboring ‘Fire Glow’ Japanese maple. In the front corner a blue Atlas cedar grows out of the deck and along the fence, which, along with the rock wall and steps to the street, was built by the owners.

Near the enormous beech, notice the golden chain tree with striking blooms resembling yellow wisteria. At the house corner grow a Korean fir, camellia, and mugo pine. An ‘Amber Ghost’ Japanese maple with red and gold leaves lights up the area by the steps, while a hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa, aka ’Moonshine’, appears green with yellow flakes.

The 75-year-old wisteria in back was retrained to sweep along the top of the fence. Along the street a wide variety of conifers are interspersed with viburnums, mugo pines, and hebes. Lavender grows under the giant Douglas fir. The ‘Crimson Queen’ laceleaf maple at the intersection is bright green, turning orange and red in fall. The ‘Dark Star’ ceanothus with its Intense cobalt-blue blooms provides a backdrop for the creek bed and Mexican feathergrass.