Gray Garden: Artfully Curated

The last stop on Day One of the Puget Sound Fling was Gray Garden.*  The owners not only graciously invited all one-hundred Fling participants into their garden at the same time but also treated us to wine and snacks.

There was a bee line to the wine

As we'd climbed a tall stairway to reach the deck with a clear view of Commencement Bay, it was obvious that the property was situated on a steep incline but I didn't appreciate how steep it was until I wound my way around the house to face the back garden.

This was the sight that met us upon turning that corner

This deeper view shows just how tall the back slope is.  The owners created a rock scree to stabilize the slope with it's natural water seepage.  The rectangular fiberglass panels in assorted colors midway up the slope are installed from spring through summer to add interest.

A small pond sits at the slope's base, fed by a waterfall

One of the most striking elements of the back garden was a creation the owners named "Toadhenge."

"Toadhenge" is a play on Stonehenge, the famous neolithic structure in the UK, and a commentary on the toadstool-like rocks carefully balanced in an upper area of Gray Garden's slope

Here's a closer view.  I think that's Jerry of Botanica Chaotica getting a closer look.  The trail taking visitors up there was itself sloped.

The stone structure looked a little different from every angle

As you've probably noticed, the area was densely planted.  The plants were selected for their appreciation of shade and moist soil.

Gunnera, ferns, and assorted foliage plants in varied colors and textures were everywhere.  Flowers were relatively uncommon.

 

Pops of chartreuse foliage echoed the color of the patio furniture 

Trees included weeping willows, white birches, and a variety of Japanese maples

Rock was used extensively too

This tree looked like a piece of natural art

There were small (and some not so small) pieces of art tucked into virtually every nook and cranny.

I felt a little overwhelmed with the art at time but these were some of my favorites.  The toad stool was a nod to the "Toadhenge" structure.  The little frogs sitting on the steps signaled the need for care walking up those shiny black steps.  And I simply couldn't dismiss a frog belching up flowers.

Even the back gate was artsy

All too soon, it was time to board the buses and head back to our hotel.  I snapped a few last shots of the front garden as we left.

Those big rocks next to the stairway to/from the deck indicate the height of the climb

This was a route through the front garden I didn't get a chance to take

If you look carefully at the upper left corner of this shot aimed up the street, there's another view of Mount Rainier in the distance

I can't speak for everyone, but that was one busy day! 

*I skipped two of the shorter stops made on Day One but I'll come back to them with a later post.  I think I've finally made it around the corner with COVID; however, as I was fooled once before and suffered a relapse, I've promised my husband one more test on Saturday morning before we bring down the walls of isolation we've maintained since I tested positive on July 24th.  The best news is that he managed to evade the virus throughout the process, even if it drove us both a little crazy.  In my case, I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal activities.  Fling posts will continue but may be more sporadic.

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party