SHARON & JERRY BENSON
Explore the charming gardens surrounding the restored 1914 farmhouse that is now a Bed and Breakfast. As you enter the farmstead, notice the productive orchard on the right and white picket fence along the left. Inside, a gravel garden creates a thriving home for flowering bulbs, peonies and roses. A newly renovated front entry garden surrounds the expansive lawn. The gently curving gardens feature a collection of woody shrubs and trees that change color with the seasons including a Paper Bark Maple (Acer griseum), a trio of Sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum), and Purple-leaved Smoke trees (Cotinus coggyrgria).
Once a working dairy, the home and gardens are now surrounded by fields of ripening raspberries. Reminders of its past are seen in the antique machinery garden and various outbuildings. A well tower has been turned into a delightfully decorated "Garden Suite" and will be open for viewing. The impressive vegetable garden was planted to feed several large families. Open the gate and enter the herb garden and back patio areas before wandering over to a waterfall garden and fishpond. Step up onto the front porch to enjoy a variety of string music performed by Bryan and David Benson.
KATHY & BRIAN WOLFE
Nestled in a four-acre woodland you will discover a naturalistic style garden that surrounds and compliments the angular architecture of a strikingly modern house recently featured in Seattle Homes and Lifestyles. Notice the well-designed fence of espaliered fruit trees before entering the open meadow. Explore the Kitchen Garden with greenhouse and luscious greens grown in raised beds by Kathy, a Master Gardener. You will pass a grove of mature cedars before reaching the front entry area. Enjoy the sounds of symphony musicians and the delightful cascading stream.
To compliment and connect the landscape to the home following the recent renovations, Landscape Architect, Roger Hill, redesigned the gardens. A courtyard surrounds a bubbling Basalt column and a row of Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) punctuates the outdoor dining area. Elegantly planted pots accent an expansive terrace with a view to the farmlands below. Step down and explore the massive rockery garden framed by the woodlands featuring an elegant Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) and shade loving perennials.
PADILLA BAY INTERPRETIVE CENTER
As a convenience to our garden tour participants, Gourmet boxed lunches @ $10 each can be ordered in advance and enjoyed along the way at the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center. This special attraction offers nature trails, outdoor picnic tables, and restroom facilities. You may dine inside the center or take your lunch 'To-Go'.
Please call (360) 848-9336 to pre-order your lunch by Monday, June 22, 2009. A vegetarian option is available upon request.
MARY & FLOYD WILLETTE
Under the shady canopy of mature fir and cedar trees, winding pathways take you on a discovery of enchanting woodland gardens, sculptures and whimsical vignettes. Meander past the Fern Garden to observe the natural twig chair and stool. The 'Wind Forrest' sculpture leads to the Wildflower Meadow along the trail to an inviting Camp Site. A majestic bronze horse greets visitors near the front entrance. Notice the substantial trellis over the garage doors built by Floyd and gardener, Geoff Hess. The botanically inspired fence and gate is by Paul Thorne. Pass through a formal garden towards a flowing circular fountain and patio. On the way see who is waiting up at the 'Bus Stop'. Inside the pool house, the delightful ornamentation has a Mexican theme.
The new greenhouse filled with tomatoes lies just beyond the colorful cutting garden. Notice the bean-covered trellis and overflowing pots of squash, lettuce, and corn just outside. As you reach the sunny west side, roses line the walk under the Wisteria covered pergola. From the flagstone terrace, dramatic views of Skagit Bay to the Deception Pass bridge unfold. Newly planted garden areas adorn steps of massive stone directing you down to the lower terrace and boathouse. Next to the main house there is a complete modern outdoor kitchen. Look inside and imagine cooking as the musicians play in this impeccably maintained garden.
JOSEPH KINNEBREW'S GARDEN, 'THE QUARRY'
Transformed from a once-abandoned rock quarry you will discover a hidden garden enclosed by dramatic walls of jagged rock softened by vertical stands of fir trees. Exciting upright jets of water punctuate interconnecting ponds and waterways. Joseph, an internationally acclaimed artist, designed and built the garden as an outdoor gallery. Many hundred cubic yards of soil were brought in to establish an environment suitable for growing a variety of flowering shrubs and unusual trees including Willow Oak (Quercus phellos), Stripe bark Maples (Acer davidii) and Japanese Pagoda Tree (Sophora Japonica).
Wander along a woodland stream as you listen to symphony musicians play within this spectacular backdrop. Large colorful contemporary steel sculptures, elegant bronzes and whimsical iron cast figures have been set into the lawns and among the ornamental plants to create a living canvas of color, texture and form.
KLARA & DONALD BARFORD
The entrance along an allée of flowering pears trees sets the stage for a formal yet exuberant garden that encircles the this unique Cape Dutch house. The front English style garden is overflowing with a variety of perennials and shrubs chosen for their colorful foliage and variety of textures. Stroll the expansive lawn between the multicolored mixed borders filled with flowering plants including Sedum, Euphorbia, and Berberis framed by dark green yew hedges. A grand Pergola creates a backdrop to matching beds of Roses enclosed by boxwood. Cross the front veranda to hear the musicians as you view the entire length of the garden and Mount Baker beyond.
Around the north side you will discover the pond and meadow where thousands of daffodils bloom for early spring color. For outdoor dining just a few feet from the kitchen door, an inviting French styled gravel courtyard graces the entire west side. Underlying a dramatic arbor covered by the white Rosa 'Mulliganii', generous garden beds of silver and gray foliaged plants are accented by a hot mixture of summer blooming orange and red flowers. Before the home was built, the layout of the gardens was designed and installed by Klara and Donald. They personally maintain the lawns and sumptuous plantings.
