Set to Go Garden

The Parker Garden

This garden had good bones, plenty of grasses and lavender for a Tuscan theme. Move in and add personal touches of garden art and fragrant flowers to fill your vases. Maybe rethink a backyard space for a veggie and fruit garden. You're done. Not everyone has to start from scratch.

Entering on the front path, roses and lavender assault the senses; a Glory vine overtakes the maples. Banana trees, protected by the higher level terrace, withstand winters and spread. The terrace provides a view of the islands off Puget Sound and houses the container garden where jasmine thrives.

The easiest route to the back garden is along the grassy slope of the north lawn. One passes dahlias and near the front of the house, strawberries, Yucca and a fuchsia bush.

Wisteria covers the back arbor which opens a view of the pond encircled by waving grasses, Japanese anemones, pink Crape Myrtle, lavender and bamboo. Passion flower vines thrive under a cedar. Golden and black bamboo edges the BBQ patio along the eastern border. There are also South African rushes, an apple tree and variegated Euphorbia. To the left of the shed, bee balm and crocosmia run rampant until you reach the northeast corner where raspberries, tomatoes, rhubarb and zucchini bear fruit. Hydrangeas and dahlias add color among the billowy grasses. A yellow tulip tree and Gingko tree line the path.

The Tuscan part is drought-tolerant, but the lusher regions benefit from soaker hoses. The lawn is professionally maintained, but the owner maintains the garden and admits," the Samurai pruning is all mine…and I'm a compulsive weeder."

Exit on the south side.

This garden suggests that it's possible to have it all without doing it all.

NOTE: Wheelchair accessible IF they can climb a grassy slope. Uneven brick around the hot tub.