Garden Tour Guide

Garden 1

A few years ago, our busy family—complete with energetic twin daughters—finally looked up and realized that the front of our house had become...a mud pit. A pine-needle-covered, uneven-lawned, not-especially-welcoming mud pit. One of us (with roots in the Carolinas and an ongoing campaign to move us to Charleston) floated the idea that perhaps we bring a bit of Charleston to us instead. While this has somewhat appeased said spouse, let the record show: the campaign is still very much alive.

We partnered with Gardinia, a Madison Park-based landscape design company, to help bring the vision to life—and they truly made a dream come true. What was once a sloping lawn and a porch that offered a clear view of our under-deck storage is now one of our favorite places to be. Gardinia pruned the towering pine to let in more light (and drop fewer needles), leveled the ground, and laid antique road bricks framed by narrow garden beds. A classic white fence and trellised arbor now enclose the space, giving it a secret-garden feel. The garden was completed with a white bench-style swing—the kind that’s practically ubiquitous on Southern porches—which adds just the right touch of charm (and has quickly become a favorite perch for both kids and grownups alike). 

The garden is filled with flowering vines, evergreen structure, and perennials that shift with the seasons. This June, look for the climbing rose Mme Alfred Carrière and the fragrant Clematis Sugar Sweet Blue in bloom. Gardinia continues to help us maintain the magic, and we’re so grateful—for the garden itself, and for how much joy it brings to our daily lives.

Garden 2

We bought our home in 2013. The decking, patio and stone wall were already in place, and a gravel driveway entered from the alley. Because of the apartment buildings behind us, the challenge was to create a tucked away garden in this fishbowl setting and turn the drive into a play space/lawn for our grandchildren or to set a picnic table for dining.

We transplanted some bamboo along the fence and as well as a maple to create a screen from the buildings. The old clothesline became the home for a prolific trumpet vine that had made its way under the alley to our back yard.

I was a landscape designer for over 25 years so I have drawn on some of my favorites- Acer p. ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’ in the large pot, Acer griseum in the front yard, a variety of grasses, hydrangeas and spiraeas. My husband loves to paint so we built the tiny art studio for his getaway to match the house.

We entertain throughout the summer, the apple trees and several containers provide us with fruits and seasonal veggies mixed with annual pops of color, and the birds are plentiful in the bamboo and trees.  In a busy city, in a busy location, we have designed a small but rich refuge to read, to putter, to be with friends and family. 

Garden 3

When we moved into our house in May 2020, our home looked very different. The house itself was a dark reddish-brown. We met our new neighbors outside with six feet between us and couldn’t have friends and family over to see the new house. Like many others during that time, we looked to the outside of the house not only for a fun project but also as an important space to socialize, as it was, at that moment, the only option available. With two young kids, we wanted grass for them to run around on. As adults who enjoy hosting gatherings, we aimed to create an inviting atmosphere on the deck where we could throw parties and entertain. Apart from the grass on the parking strip, the fire pit pavers, and the Leyland cypress hedge on the north end of our backyard, we essentially started with a blank canvas.

We repurposed and replanted what we could from the previous garden, offered the rest on Facebook Marketplace, and delivered plants to their new homes. We can still drive through nearby neighborhoods and see the growing Japanese maples and blooming hydrangeas that used to be in our front and back yard. With the help of a master landscape designer we have known for many years, we aimed to create something layered, natural, and hopefully a little unique.

Our highlights include Japanese Snowbell Styrax trees in the parking strip, the front arbor covered with Jasminum 'Fiona Sunrise’, the large steel obelisk now completely covered in star jasmine, and hydrangeas throughout. We’ve learned that not everything thrives in the thick clay ‘soil’ we have here, so there continues to be some editing from year to year. That’s part of the fun and part of the process. Out of everything, our favorite piece of the garden is still the giant oak tree that dominates the backyard in the spring and summer.

It’s amazing to look back and see how different everything can appear in just over four years. We’ve loved watching everything grow and change, and there has been no shortage of laughing kids and great parties.

Garden 4

When I purchased the home in 2021, the previous owners had completely renovated the home 5 years before, including an overhaul of the landscape. I inherited this beautiful yard that has developed year over year into a more robust and diverse orchestration of foliage from early spring to late fall. By summer, the front yard is 6 feet domes of grass and flowering trees where neighborhood kids have been known to hide from their parents.

There was a very large blue spruce that was in the front yard, which the previous owners had taken down and while it is disappointing, I have benefited with hydrangeas, colorful Japanese maples, and variety of greenage, and additional sun through the picture windows.

The backyard was designed with privacy in mind using contrast of concrete and plants. The magnolia and laurels provide privacy using nature; while several of them did not survive the heat dome in 2023, they keep growing and expanding to fill in. They highlight of the backyard are magnolia and blue spruce tree, which provides shade from the southern sun and houses several Anna’s hummingbird nest.

Garden 5

The design of our landscaping developed hand-in-hand with the remodeling of the house five years ago. For the gardens we basically started from scratch removing and replacing all trees and all shrubs as well as much of the soil. Today there is only one plant that remains the same following the redesign of the landscape — that is the Styrax Japonica tree next to the entryway. David Ohashi, landscape architect of the grounds specified the Little Gem Magnolias, the larger Blanchard Magnolias, a range of large and small Pinus Thunberiis, Viburnum ‘Shoshoni’, several Gleditsia ‘Sunburst’, and a large number of Liriope Spicata and Taxus ‘Fastigiata’.  It is remarkable to see how much those plantings have grown and matured in the five years since they were put in.

Garden 6  

We moved into our home in Canterbury in March 2022, after decades on Queen Anne.  One of the major attractions for us was the beautiful gardens that had been lovingly maintained by the previous owners, Denis and Gail Boyer Hayes.  She took great pride in showing us the fruits of her efforts over more than two decades.  The front yard blooms with a large Japanese Maple as a centerpiece surrounded by Lavender, Winter Daphnes, Rhododendron, Viburnum, Plantain Lilies, Peonies, Spirea, Hellebores, Japanese Cheesewood, and several varieties of grasses and other perennials.  We add annuals for additional color throughout the year.

The garden behind the home is a serene oasis touching on Broadmoor’s 17th fairway with a large aggregate patio equally suited for quiet reading while enjoying a glass of wine or entertaining family and friends.  Anchoring the garden are an Austrian Pine, a Japanese Maple and a rank of nine majestic Italian Cypresses.  Surrounding the patio and lawn are Rhododendrons, Andromedas, Viburnum, Japanese Barberries and a variety of rose bushes, grasses, ferns and other flowering perennials. 

Garden 7

Designer: Scot Eckley

I wanted space for eating, relaxing, and would be fun for my child. It was designed and built in 2018/19 when my son was 4 years old. Scot and his team of designers has a talent for figuring out creative ways to make the space functional and fun for all ages.

Growing fruits and veggies was important to me so he created the raised vegetable beds. It’s wonderful to eat outside in the height of summer surrounded by the bounty of the garden.

Scot added the metal fence in the front so that we would have privacy from the street while still being able to get glimpses of what is going on out front.

Axiom Design + Build enlarged the existing garden shed into a bike studio.

 Garden 8

Garden Design by Richard Hartlage of Land Morphology.

The goal of the design was to augment the interior spaces of the house in the following ways; through the viewing garden (containing a birdbath) at the north designed to be seen from the study, through the courtyard to be experienced as a part of the entry sequence, and through the terrace in the backyard that extends the kitchen.

Garden color is important, so the courtyard plantings are changed three times a year and the maple tree brings dramatic spring and fall color. Privacy is provided through partial height limestone walls and hedges.

Garden 9

Our garden had not been structurally upgraded in over 20 years but had very good bones integral to the aesthetic of the whole property. The back yard was essentially concrete and brickwork with large side planting but no shade and no delineation of spaces. We worked with Scot Eckley and team to elevate the space, creating distinct areas for seating, dining, meditation/reading, and of course a sundeck for the dogs! With the environment firmly in mind, Eckley and team reused some of the bricks and concrete to build out existing features such as a wall, water feature, and pathway. The team added curves, color, and sculptures in unexpected and exciting ways to brighten and soften this unique space.

Garden 10

 When we bought our home almost 2 years ago, we felt so lucky to inherit such a beautiful garden that was designed with peace in mind. We knew we had to step up and learn how to maintain the beauty that was passed over to us!

 Our garden feels like an enchanting oasis where we can sit back and relax on our front porch, our most loved thing to do in the warm Summer months. Our Jasmine arch was our favorite feature when we bought the house and it’s a favorite of our friends and family as it greets them with its sweet fragrance. The soft carpet of moss gives the garden a magical quality, while vibrant blue hydrangeas and a Japanese pear tree add texture and seasonal beauty. We love how our garden beds blend effortlessly into the landscape, where we can experiment what plants, herbs, vegetables, you name it, will flourish best.

We love how our garden is our own serene escape from our busy lives.

Garden 11 

My garden is a constant source of joy for me.  When we moved into this house in 1991 there was no garden and very little fencing but over the years we have tried to turn this piece of land into our little farm in the city.  Our main focus has been on growing food but we’re leaning more towards flowers and shrubs after some experiences with unruly fig, apple, persimmon and pear trees.  We also had a ‘dwarf’ cherry tree that quickly grew to over 20 feet.  We raised chickens at one point that started after our daughter’s science class that wanted the students to raise a baby animal!  We passed them on to a friend after we started to travel and I miss them to this day.  We passed the gene on to our daughter who is now raising chickens herself.  

I never hesitate to pull things out I don’t care for anymore and I love to move plants or structures around from year to year to find a more pleasing arrangement.  My preference is to grow perennials both in flower and in vegetables and fruit.  It is my creative outlet that I hope to continue for all my days. I also want to mention that I have had several wonderful people help me plan and maintain the garden and I would be happy to share their information if you are interested. Thank you so much for visiting.

Garden 12

This family bought their home and went to work to create a space for their young children to play in, an extended deck for entertaining and most recently a conversion of their garage into a DADU for visiting family. Designed by Octavia Chambliss Garden Design, the original entry was replaced with a bluestone walkway and staircases and the yard enclosed with a muted gray fencing and railing by Mod Studio Design. The original Magnolia and Laceleaf Maple provided the framework for the design in the front yard- with an understory of rhododendrons, ferns, hostas and jasmine.

Steppingstones and ground covers lead to the backyard, Crepe Myrtle trees and Japanese Maples provide screening, plantings were added to soften the facing wall of the garage and a cushioned play area added for the children to play sports.

The back deck faces west and can cook in the summer months, so a retractable awning was added to provide the needed shade. The original lawn has been replaced with turf to allow for year-round play.

Garden 13  

Some gardens are very private and mostly enjoyed by the homeowners, this is not that garden. What makes this garden special is that it wraps around the corner and looks great from many angles. Passersby can enjoy this garden year-round. The theme would be lots of different textures, colors and scale of plants all beautifully combined together. By the front porch is a water feature, which is enjoyed while being in the hot tub. The mature landscaping provides some separation from the sidewalk, and there is a private dining area in the back of the house. A large patch of grass is soothing to the eye and gives the house some “breathing room”.

Garden 14

This stunning waterfront garden and home were designed by Olson Kundig Architects and Allworth Landscape Design. Set on the shores of Lake Washington, you enter the garden on a walkway spanning 2 pools and a one-of-a-kind fountain.

A Montana slate pathway leads to the backyard and view of Mt. Rainier and sculpture entitled “Montana Rock”.  The garden is framed by a privacy screen on the south side, a restored, natural shoreline along the lake with a long dock for boats, and a lawn leading to the swimming pool – all surrounded by a lush understory of groundcovers and strawberries beneath the trees and the sculptures. The garden displays 20 sculptures by various artists who are the owner’s friends or part of Pilchuck Glass School. (the docent can provide you with the names of the various artists)

The homeowners provided a few instructions for the landscaping team- make space for 2 roses that are over 50 years old and have moved from home to home with them; make room for a vegetable garden and a variety of fruit trees; and create a cabana for the owner’s collection of orchids and a pool for koi fish.