Private Garden Tour

The Garden Conservancy http://www.gardenconservancy.org/ organizes private gardens each year to participate in their "Open Days" program. Finally this summer I found an open weekend to visit some of these gardens in Olympia, Washington. I was impressed!

Placed in dappled shade, this cast face changes moods from sun-up to sun-down

From city lots to acreage tracks, each garden offers something to take notice of. The personality of the owner shines through and you can truly see where their passion lies whether it be specimen plants, growing edibles, or art in the garden.

Lilium orienpet hybrid "Conca d'Or"

A true tri-colored lilly stood a full foot taller than I and scented the air with a delicious perfume. As I strolled through this "front yard" I felt completely removed from the street and neighborhood beyond it's front gate.

A true horticulturist, every plant was labeled with it's botanical name. The placement of the bench provided a destination and focal point for the alpine pathway.

These were extraordinary gardens on ordinary people's plots of land, either large or small. 

Have you encountered the black Calla Lilly? He's quite striking. Zantedeschia "Black Jack".

There were six gardens on this particular tour, open from 10 - 4. It's a self guided tour and you can visit at your leisure. The garden owners are there to answer your questions and point out any feature that is outstanding. Their knowledge is worth tapping into!

The form, texture, and color of this plant combination are exceptional.

Creating interest in your garden is easy. To avoid boredom use contrasting leaf form. Spiky vs weeping, large ovate vs ferny. Use a color chart to make decisions for color combinations and use varying heights of plants - low, medium, tall. Use these tips and your combinations will be a success.

A garden ornament made of glass plates, bowls, and jars adds a little whimsy to any garden.

Whimsical elements add fun to a garden and is a unique way to express yourself. Try making living garden "art" from ordinary objects like the jeans below.

Slid into a plant trellis, filled with soil, then slit open to add plants, these jeans take on a second life!

I took away so many great ideas from these gardeners that I can't wait to put them all into action on my own property! 

Another beautiful combination featuring Astilbe, Drooping leucothoe, and Rhododendron

Dinosaur Kale was tucked into this country garden. 

You don't have to have a vegetable garden to enjoy growing them. Tuck them into a bed of other annuals or to fill out your perennial beds. 

Not finding enough color from flowers and foliage? Add a bit more by thinking out of the box for fences, arbors, and other garden accessories like pots.

The Garden Conservancy Open Days program operates through November throughout the United States. Check their website for gardens near you.