Mediterranean Medley

The Watson Garden

A garden bench situated between two "Little Gem" Magnolias predicts that you will want to spend some time in this Mediterranean sanctuary. Extensively renovated (and renewed) for 20 years, this garden used to be grounded with an ivy covered rockery, but no more. Tenino sandstone walls and custom made capstones house drought tolerant trailing rosemary, lavender, and croscosmia to attract hummingbirds. As you enter the courtyard you will be treated to the sounds of one of the three water features.

A lovely Ginkgo tree, a gift from a friend 16 years ago before this courtyard was even a twinkling in anyone's eye, anchors a charming arbor and water fountain within this private space. Potted edible plants share the front yard with exquisite lilies. An espaliered apple tree moves your eye to the northern shade garden, a path full of hostas, hellebores, and sweet woodruff. Enter through the honeysuckle-covered arbor and you will emerge into the backyard full of Japanese maples and Hinoki cypress, creating an excellent screen to neighboring homes. Here you will find the "hidden" water feature (I won't tell you where!) in this dog-friendly habitat. The grass here has been replaced with a tough gravel path edged in hard working Northwest mainstays such as mahonia, Daphne odora, and s\Senecio greyii. Potted fuscias are very much at home here, attracting even more hummingbirds. A stately Styrex japonicus leads you past a sedum filled planter as you exit the back yard, but be sure to take note of the Yuguri Japanese Maple as you exit.

Pause and remember that this garden's biggest challenge was not only clay soil, but finding plants and shrubs that could stand up to large, fun-loving (and digging!) dogs.

Before bidding a final goodbye to this bit of Tuscany, spend some time on the clematis covered front porch where you will get a birds eye view of the excellent selection of potted annuals accentuating the courtyard.