leaves

Puget Sound Gardeners Fling – People, Plants, and More

Last month 100 garden social media influencers met in Puget Sound WA to tour gardens, share meals, and make new friends.  This was the 15th such annual gathering, called the Gardeners Fling.  We meet in a different city each year (except for 2 Covid-fraught summers) and the host city gardeners plan a 4-5 day outstanding garden experience.

Our time in Puget Sound was magical.  Each garden, private and public, wowed in so many different ways.

I’ll start my virtual tour with the garden of one of our hosts, Camille Paulsen, @tahomaflora .

She has crafted her space to frame and enhance the many gorgeous views of Mount Tahoma, also known as Mount Rainier.   The mountain enjoys almost mystical status around Seattle and Tacoma.  The days start with an assessment about the visibility of the mountain and end on the same note.  How fortunate her family is to have this National Geographic-worthy sight from their deck, their paths, their hills, and so many other vantage points.

We were there on a clear day, and the mountain was glorious.

This little secret seating area on the edge of the hillside had a special view, too.

I can imagine sneaking away to to escape here.

Several paths wind through the property, all of them welcoming and interesting.  And many of them with an eye to the view.

On the back deck, a bit of whimsy highlights the distance of treks to similar mountain hot spots.

The light was striking as it poured in between the leaves of a collection of Japanese maples and other wispy trees.

Camille’s artistic flair extends beyond the curating of plants to include an interesting assortment of art in the garden.  Various carefully crafted vignettes were tucked throughout.

Sharing the adventure with so many long-time and new gardeners was as fun as discovering the garden itself.

So many unique details caught my eye.

Sweet spaces scattered everywhere.

 

 

 

The pool area was a lovely gathering spot filled with interesting pots and plants.

Tucked down the hill in the forest, koi languished in a beautiful pond, suprised by all their guests.

Enjoying some pats, Camille’s cat seemed unfazed by all the garden gawkers.

Thanks, Camille, for a great tour of your lovingly created garden.

Another post to come soon highlighting other beautiful sights from the 2024 Puget Sound Gardeners Fling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall in the garden: In the air and on the ground…

I can’t honestly say that fall is in the air.  With temperatures hovering around 100 for the last several weeks, the thought of fall remains a distant longing.

But it is coming.

Many of the summer-blooming plants are slowing down and taking it easy, done with the hard work of developing flowers.  And waiting in the wings to take their place, the fall bloomers grow stronger with each day. 

And the trees.  Well, the one tree — the Burr oak.  A majestic specimen, it decided last week that it was about time for the weather to turn and began dropping its leaves with abandon.

And they fell.

 And fell…

 And fell…

Then the Moy Grande Hibiscus next to the oak got the message, too.  And it started to turn and drop its leaves.

Oh, look who was posing for me on this rain-drenched leaf.  We were lucky to get a nice rain yesterday evening — I’m sure it made this guy happy to have a cool shower.

And so the leaves keep turning.

Fall will be here soon.  A whole new season in the garden, with new sets of chores, challenges and opportunities.

I’m ready, are you?

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