Garden Tour Descriptions

Garden #1: Garden of Joan Penney & David Ryberg

This elegant French Colonial home was built up and back from the road in the five-acre home site. The land on both sides of the long driveway is designated as a wetland and part of the protected watershed that joins the bay. It contains grasses, native plants and thousands of frogs.

The formal and beautifully maintained landscape was designed and planted by Joan and David to be in keeping with the style of the home. Joan needed boxwood hedges to define the more formal garden areas so she started by propagating over 400 plants from cuttings. Interesting woody plants grow within the oval shaped garden in front and throughout. For those wanting to identify unusual trees, many will be labeled for the tour including: Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan sugi', Blue Atlas Cedar, 'Green Knight' Oriental Spruce, Weeping Beech, Weeping Chinese Larch, Hinoki Cypress and Paper Bark Maple (Acer griseum).

Stroll around the residence to the expansive terrace where a grand fireplace with chimney defines the outdoor living and dining spaces. A mixed bed with yellow Roses and Oriental Lilies borders the patio. Take a few moments to enjoy the sounds of symphony musicians. Across the lawn, Boxwood hedges contain blue, violet and white Delphiniums, Roses, and Daisies. A white theme is carried throughout the structural elements of the garden from picket fence gate and arbors to the Adirondack chairs under the pergola adorned with colorful pots and flower-filled hanging baskets.

Garden #2: Garden of Dianne Gaughan

Inspired by a visit to Penelope Hobhouse’s Hadspen Garden in Somerset, England, Diane has created the quintessential English perennial garden at her Samish Island retirement home. Hue is the focus here as Diane developed her planting beds into separate color groups of red, white, yellow, and “plue”, a name coined for blues mixed with purple and pinks. A plant collector at heart, Diane covets an abundance of rare and unusual varieties of herbaceous plants, but also uses the workhorses that earn a well respected place in the spacious borders surrounding her home.

A formal Kitchen Garden, primarily planted with herbs, is conveniently located near steps to the kitchen. Stone pathways meander through a tidy Rock Garden filled with red Crocosmias, Dahlias, and Sunflowers that blend into the warm orange and yellows tones. Stone steps lead you on to the delightful woodland area where evergreen trees provide shade and protection for Hellebores, Saxifrages, Astilbes, Primroses and Lungwort. A variety of spring bulbs add to the mix alongside the Variegated Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’), which adds a structural element with a bright focal point.

A long border of sun-loving white blossoms sits dramatically in front of the dark evergreen backdrop. Calla lily, Scabiosa, Anemone, Daphne, Euphorbia ‘Glacier’, Rosa ‘Kent’, white Lupine, Potentilla 'Abbotsford’, and Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’, comprise varieties that keep the display vibrant. The white canvas blends into the blue, purple and pinks with Lavandula ‘Nana’ flanking the edges and corralling an abundance of Asters, Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’, Alliums, Columbine, Sages, Eryngium and Nepeta.

A riot of Roses along with very happy Hydrangeas completes the rich blend of cottage garden plants to complement the light grey shingles of the house and add to its coastal look and feel.

Garden #3: Garden of Fonda & Ron Downs

Explore how the unique aspects of living by the sea have been incorporated into the gardens surrounding this cottage style home that has been in the family since the early 1900’s. Enter the raised Vegetable Garden through a trellis of sweet honeysuckles. Enjoy a breath of salt air mixed with the scent of the honeysuckle.

Peruse the unique greenhouse built using all recycled items. The door came from the first grocery store on Samish Island. The owners hand-split cedar logs that had washed up on the beach to form the siding. They felt a strong sense of community as the neighbors worked together with them to assemble the building.

Enjoy the colorful Rose Garden before wandering to the bay side of the home. The fencing is also hand-split from recycled cedar found on the beach. It was designed to continue the cedar theme by coordinating with the greenhouse and providing privacy.

At the water's edge, look beyond to view Mount Rainier, Anacortes, Guemes Island, and the Olympic mountains. Notice the glimmering art glass pieces throughout the garden. Flower-filled pots overflow with bursts of color. Take time to sit in the chairs made from recycled cedar fencing while you listen to the music. Note the rockwork constructed by the owner's father and grandfather over many years. The railing was rescued from the Mukilteo ferry landing.

Finally, wander to the shaded side of the yard. Stand still so you will not disturb the goldfinches and other birds splashing in the birdbaths set among the small trees. One can see why birds return year after year to enjoy every square foot of this delightful seaside garden.

Garden # 4: Garden of Theresa & Herb Goldston

Begin a journey of discovery as you follow the mown path around the open grass meadow to the Orchard Green. Here, you will find heirloom varieties of apples, pears, plums and mature well-pruned hazelnut trees. Cross over to walk the Bowling Green bordered by an allée of cherry trees and shrubs chosen for foliage color and texture including Barberry, Ceanothus, and variegated Pieris. Follow the arrow across the gravel drive to meander the River Green, a narrow walkway highlighted with bright ornamental grasses on the sunny side contrasted by shade loving perennials and Ostrich, Holly and other unusual ferns on the other side.

Enticed by the Jazz or World Music group playing on the expansive Park Green, you will encounter a magnificent collection of ornamental trees including a 300-year-old Big Leaf Maple, Blue Spruce, True Chestnut (Castanea dentata), and White Walnut (Juglans cinerea). Take time to sit under the shady canopy and enjoy the music. Nearer to the residence, a Buddha soapstone sculpture by Tracy Powell is found under the umbrella of a Camperdown Elm within the sea of blue oat grass and flowering perennials.

Return to the front entry area via the flagstone walkway onto the bluestone terrace where views to Samish Bay and beyond can be enjoyed. In the wooded areas nearer to the bluff, native plant species such as Oregon Grape and Western Red Cedar flourish. Hen and Chicks, Sedum and other colorful, low growing, drought tolerant plants grow on the dry stacked stone wall designed to be viewed from the Adirondack chairs near the fire pit. For a shady retreat, find comfortable seating in the heavy-timbered Pavilion, once a woodshed.

Just beyond the Pavilion, notice the sign for the woodland path to the next three gardens.

Garden #5: Garden of Kristin & John Boyes

Enter a verdant garden that is well structured and highlights mature trees and native species. The task of taming this 17- acre site of timber and blackberries was never more daunting than after the fierce winds of 1990, which knocked down over three acres of trees and created a tangle that took many years to clear. Now, as the landscape nears completion, an interesting array of shade loving species has been incorporated into the design of the gardens.

Notice the Harry Lauder's Walking Stick that introduces the house and gardens from the woodland path. Large pots with bamboo and splendid ferns grace the flagstone surface that extends from inside of the solarium onto the outside patio. Walk around the residence and through the arbor to the elegant entry walkway planted with shade loving species such as Hostas, Hellebores, Azalea, and Vancouveria. Special ferns abound including Lady, Deer, Ostrich, Maidenhair, Sword, and Royal Fern.

A walk along the gravel path through plantings of Bleeding Heart, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Woodland Sorrel, and Trillium that leads to the Green Room, a magical place featuring a substantial basalt-quartz table surrounded with stone chairs. Then retrace your steps and turn right on to the chip path. Another right turn from the chip path leads to a wonderful clearing in the woods where you will hear symphony musicians playing and see the extraordinary glass art of Rob Snyder.

"Constellations" of nature inspired glass art by Rob Snyder, nationally known glass artist and an early pioneer in the glass fusing movement will be displayed throughout the clearing. Rob's unique work from kiln glass has been well recognized in solo exhibitions, museums, and numerous publications. The large-scale pieces of glass art explore ideas around chaos and form, and focus on humans’ relationship to nature. The artist believes that glass speaks eloquently of nature’s fragility, making it the perfect material for constructing forms with a precarious balance. You will see the impact this fascinating medium gives to a woodland glade. Rob will be on hand to answer questions about his work.

Representative works of Rob Snyder courtesy of Traver Gallery.

Click here to learn more about the glass artist Rob Snyder.

Return to the Samish Bay side and appreciate the water view that is underscored by a substantial rock wall extending to the gazebo on the bluff's edge. Here you will find baked goods, salad or BBQ sandwiches, soft drinks and wine offered for sale with seating available.

Rosabella's Garden Bakery Menu Click to view website	Reverie BBQ Menu Click to view website	VIP Parties Menu Click to view website

Garden #6: Esther & Brad Claypool

In complete harmony with its wooded surroundings, this waterfront garden was created to be a natural habitat for squirrel, deer, birds, butterflies and other wild visitors. The plants, trees and their random placement are all evidence of the owners’ effort to make it appear as if everything has always been there. Their goal was to design an easy-care natural landscape ensured by environmentally sensitive choices for erosion control and reduced watering through appropriate plant selection.

The project was started from scratch seven years ago beginning with the construction of the modern house. The featured garden area was located in the clearing between the high bank waterfront and the house. Preparation began with the removal of brush, leaving the few stately firs along the bank. Truckloads of soil were brought in to replace the clay and to build a berm along the waterfront trail. The berm was lined with large rocks found during excavation for the house foundation. Cedar bark covered trails meander throughout to separate the other smaller beds.

The beds were then planted with primarily native shrubs, trees and groundcovers selected for color, height and wildlife compatibility. Here and there, naturally occurring native plants such as Sword Fern and Evergreen Huckleberry are welcomed and allowed to grow, with a few perennials interspersed as accents. A lush mix of Salal, Oxalis, Wild Roses, Deer Ferns, Hellebores, Azaleas and Bunchberries grow in the shade along the front of the house. In a sunnier spot, groundcovers such as Kinnikinnick, Coastal Strawberry, and Variegated St. John’s Wort are grown. Other beds sport non-native mixes such as Meadow Rue, Cotoneaster, Spirea, Crocosmia and Dwarf Japanese Maples.

Young trees were placed to blend the property lines with the wooded surroundings. The berm along the bluff is the new home of a young Madrona, while a few Katsuras (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) add a touch of elegance closer to the house. Hemlock, Western Red Cedar and Indian Plum soften the west side. The wooden fence on the east side will be hidden in a few years by vines, Serviceberry and native False Solomon’s Seal.

You will appreciate this intimate garden for its peace, and tranquility, and its humble natural beauty.

A representative from the Washington State Shore Stewards will be available to answer questions about native plants in shoreline management.

Garden # 7: Garden of Winnie McNamara & Paul Rosasco

From the cool shadows of the woodland path, step into a bright open area with panoramic views of Samish Bay to the north. Leyland Cypress trees have been clipped to create a giant hedge that serves as a backdrop to this dramatic space.

This hedge has been divided into garden rooms designed to showcase unusual specimen trees including a Stewartia psuedocamellia with mottled bark and Parotia persica chosen for dramatic fall color.  The spacious lawn is punctuated by a Pin Oak, a Ginko biloba and a series of European Hornbeam that have been pleached and sculpted to form a wall.

The European style home was inspired by and added to the original 1941 stone cottage, with a richness of detail inside and out. You are drawn to the timeless front entry by a water fountain topped by the Three Graces and surrounded by formal low clipped box hedges.  The carriage house was built from felled trees milled on the property. Across the driveway is Northbank Cottage, a vacation rental that offers serenity and spectacular views. Further down the driveway is a storage structure built by Aslan Rosasco, Paul and Winnie’s son, and Ben Lowman.  This tour de force was built precision and beauty using local stone and reclaimed timber, with walls 14 inches thick.

Pass through the magnificent stone arch built by these same men and notice the embellishments of found items and art objects. Follow the winding pathway and enter the elegant metal fenced area designed to protect the garden from the deer. Discover the circular Potager based on the mandala with raised beds filled with a wide variety of vegetables and lettuce greens grown nearly year 'round.  Apples, cherries and prunes grow in the orchard.  Spring blooming bulbs and perennials grace the well-built Pergola.

Ticket Outlet Locations

Christianson's Nursery 15806 Best Road Mt. Vernon, WA 98273

Skagit Valley Gardens 18923 Peter Johnson Road Mt. Vernon, WA 98273

Summerson Nursery 4100 E. College Way Mt. Vernon, WA 98273