One of the best things a gardener could do to expand their knowledge and see new things are attending garden tours. We have many in our area such as Bainbridge in Bloom Garden Tour. The Bloom attracts several hundred people each year and benefits the Arts and Humanities foundation on Bainbridge Island. The gardens featured on the tour are typically from people who love to garden and have created gardens that are noteworthy. Many times they have been ‘done’ by designers (I’ve been involved in several from the ground up). Sometimes the owner is the catalyst and is involved in every aspect of the garden. This year I connected with a lovely gardener to help with a couple of areas in her garden. I first visited her in April when things were fabulous but really specific to a spring garden. She was concerned that things still be lush and in color when the tour came in July. I helped with a few plants and support for vines, another client of mine helped with the containers, and she and her husband did the rest. Here are a few of her containers…
The garden is a small space around a large house in community with 4 other houses. I originally helped the builder with all the hedging, planning the outside planting beds and structures. I coordinated with the artists that created the fencing and artwork that is on each house, individual but repeated in style. This particular gardener is one of the original owners and created a beautiful garden.
Michele Van Slyke Gate
There are many different styles on a garden tour, her garden is a flower garden. One of the other houses in this community was also on the tour. That garden has the same spaces but treated in a evergreen/textured style. Contrast in leaf colors giving most of the interest instead of flowers. I was excited to see these two small gardens because many people have a small space to garden in and this helps showcase what can be done with small spaces.
Back pathway
Side path
front path
I love pathways. A path tells a story. It shows progression, movement and a sense of purpose. The hedging and fencing keep the space limited on one side and the lush plantings soften the space. Closer inspection (because of the close quarters ) gives a real visual treat.
This patio is the side entry to the house. A great space that is private and welcoming at the same time.
Side courtyard patio.
Patio sitting surrounded by summer.
The containers by Sue Lukin are a fabulous addition to this sweet space. Concrete pavers are original to the space and are easy to maintain.
When I asked the owner what she liked most about the garden tour she said it helped her appreciate her garden more. While a labor of love on her part she thought that when the same people came back several times to look at at the plantings and wander in her garden she felt satisfied that they understood it and her through it. It felt like sharing a passion and that was unexpected.
Garden tours are like that. Go with an open mind and enjoy all the bits and pieces of each garden. Some things you will love and some things you can forget but the experience and the connection with another gardener is really the joy.
I really enjoyed and learned a lot about small space garden design from your tour…The photos were really amazing.