From Sprawling Lawn and One Small Tree to….

This self-taught gardener developed her love of plants in her mother’s and grandmother’s gardens. Almost thirty years of visits to the NW Flower and Garden Show have continued to inspire her gardening.  This complex garden evolved from simple front lawn and a single backyard tree to the seven specimen trees, a profusion of drought tolerant plants, and many NW natives seen today.

The ‘Firestarter' tupelo tree in the parking strip is a narrow cultivar, known for its intense red fall color. Flanking the entrance steps, you will find the thick leaved Viburnum davidii, accompanied by the mounded forms of Dwarf Yedda hawthorn, rhododendrons, and ice plants with bright yellow blooms. At the top of the steps, two  ‘Amber Gold’ mugo pines add a soft golden glow. In the planter to the left of the sidewalk grow evergreen blueberries, which hold their red leaves all winter. A variety of succulent groundcovers line the sidewalk edges, with two beautiful Japanese maples looking down on them.  

An eastern white pine with elegant long needles stands gracefully near the front porch. Behind it grow a ‘Queen of Hearts’ oakleaf hydrangea and a star magnolia. Creating year-round interest are ‘Firefly’ heathers lining the south walk, bright chartreuse in spring, vibrant orange-red in fall, and brick-red in winter. Along the north side path, bear’s breeches and vine maples add texture and color. In the back is a showy Venus dogwood ‘KN30-8’, known for large, profuse blooms, surrounded by crocosmia, hostas, and rhododendrons.