Understory: Carhart Garden

 

Astilbe, a member of the family Saxifragaceae 

 First, we took a ferry to Vashon Island.  

 Here we go with photos and videos:

Our buses then drove us to Maury Island.  Vashon and Maury were once two islands separated by shallow water (high tide) and muddy swamp (low tide).  In 1914, crews added to recent debris accumulation to fill in the area, creating a strip of dry land that connected the two islands. 

Our first garden was a three acre woodland set within a fifteen acre Stewardship Forest.  The garden slopes downwards to Puget Sound as a wide, gradually descending sweep of stone, sandy loam, and conifers.  

On arrival, our group could either walk a path zig-zaging down through the garden, or use the paved driveway.  I chose the driveway, the wise choice for a healing knee. I missed a good deal of the gardened area of the property that way, but no matter--what I saw was magical.  

What strikes me is that the gardened portion was nearly all under-story.  The cathedral-like native forest of towering Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Cedar (I'm guessing) and other species completely dominated.  You either did under-story or you clear-cut, and why would you clear-cut? 

This gives you an idea of the height of the trees:

The over-story was glorious.  The under-story plantings were light touches of the human hand showing a true love of plants:  an addition, an adornment, not a subtraction.  In this conifer cathedral, the added plants were off-the-nave shrines and chapels where a prayer can be whispered as candles flicker.

Look at the forest humus that fern is growing in.  Ice cream for plants:

Alluring paths branching off the paved driveway slowed our progress down the slope:

 A collection of petite plants amid stones and logs.  A fine way to grow small plants in the ground without them vanishing!  All together, yet protected.

Hydrangeas

Astrantia major

   Kniphofia, from South Africa:

 Sun striking the lime green of an Acer

A young Madrone, or Manzanita behind the mossy branch?

A "gardened" area near the home, yet seeming natural and appropriate.  The property contains a natural spring that sends water (eventually) into Puget Sound.

The natural spring allowed for the creation of a swimming pond--the water paused for a time before proceeding to the sound.  Wildlife visits the pond that also providing swimming for family and friends.  The soil is so moist in the area because of the spring the garden's owners were having trouble keeping plants alive in certain spots.  The small Cypress on the extreme right is their latest attempt:

Near the home, open space allowed for sitting areas and flowering plants requiring some direct sunlight. 

 

There is the end of zig-zag path I did not take down the slope--good thing I didn't--too much for my new knee at the moment.

The home has a view of the Sound:

Lush plantings around it:

Oooh, nice!

I loved this next trio of a Senecio cadicans hybrid, Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot' (I'm guessing, because it looks like mine that hasn't died yet, yay!), and the small silvery trailing plant--what is that? Hebe pimeleoides 'Quicksilver' (Thanks "unknown" for the ID).

The garden's owners could not have been more gracious and kind.  Such is often the way with plant lovers.

Our allotted time there flashed by far too quickly.  Such is the way with tours. Out the gate.  Back on the bus.  On to the next garden.