{"id":3759,"date":"2025-07-05T00:16:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T07:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/05\/jeannes-spring-garden-in-washington\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T00:16:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T07:16:08","slug":"jeannes-spring-garden-in-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/05\/jeannes-spring-garden-in-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeanne’s Spring Garden in Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Happy Friday, GPODers!<\/p>\n

We\u2019re ending the week on the West Coast with Jeanne Erdahl in Washington, just outside of Seattle. Jeanne\u2019s garden started as a blank slate, with nothing growing under the mature trees on their lot aside from a mess of Himalayan blackberries (Rubus armeniacus<\/em>). Considered one of the most invasive plants on the West Coast, I can only imagine the battle that ensued to remove those thorny thickets. However, 25 years of work has completely transformed the space, and it\u2019s hard to imagine what once was when you look at the lush garden that exists today. Today she is highlighting some beautiful moments from this spring.<\/p>\n

This garden overlooking Lake Sammamish outside of Seattle is about 25 years old and started as a bare lot covered with Himalayan blackberries b<\/em>ut also two magnificent old trees: a Douglas fir (<\/em>Pseudotsuga menziesii, Zones 4\u20136) and a western redcedar (<\/em>Thuja<\/a> plicata, Zones 5\u20137). When we found out that the only way we could get a septic system on this property was by having a series of sand mounds installed, my partner declared that we would never get anything to grow on them. A minute\u2019s reflection would have told us that they would be the best possible growing medium for any number of plants.<\/em><\/p>\n

We started out with a professional garden design, but every plant we installed ourselves, and of course the design evolved and changed greatly over the years. Now in our 80s, we still maintain the property by ourselves, with only help pruning the taller trees once a year.<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019m never sad for long when some treasured plant bites the dust. It means that I can go buy or propagate a new plant!<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>A Chinese fringe flower<\/em> (<\/em>Loropetalum<\/a> chinense, Zones 7\u20139)<\/em> backed by an Exbury azalea\u00a0and Burkwood viburnum<\/em> (<\/em>Viburnum<\/a> \u00d7 <\/em>burkwoodii, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>, all in bloom<\/em><\/p>\n

\"green<\/a>The 20 year-old patch of rodgersia<\/a> just popping up in the spring<\/em><\/p>\n

\"pink<\/a>One of the myriad native columbine<\/em><\/p>\n

\"variegated<\/a>A particularly graceful Rainbow leucothoe<\/em> (<\/em>Leucothoe<\/a> fontanesiana \u2018Rainbow\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em> vining through an azalea on one of the mounds<\/em><\/p>\n

\"deer<\/a>One of our garden helpers<\/em><\/p>\n

\"foxgloves<\/a>Part of our field of foxgloves<\/em> (<\/em>Digitalis<\/a> purpurea, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em> in full bloom with the Ruby Falls redbud<\/em> (<\/em>Cercis<\/a> canadensis \u2018Ruby Falls\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em> in the foreground and a variegated dogwood behind<\/em><\/p>\n

\"mass<\/a>Path surrounded by foxgloves<\/em><\/p>\n

\"large<\/a>Japanese forest grass (<\/em>Hakonechloa<\/a> macra, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em>, probably my all-time favorite plant, with iris at the edge of our dry streambed<\/em><\/p>\n

\"colorful<\/a>Wind sculpture by the deck<\/em><\/p>\n

\"mound<\/a>Front mound planting of daylilies, garden phlox<\/a> (<\/em>Phlox paniculata, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>, and Britt Marie Crawford ligularia<\/em> (<\/em>Ligularia<\/a> \u2018Britt Marie Crawford\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"red<\/a>Japanese maple, maybe Bloodgood<\/em> (<\/em>Acer<\/a>\u00a0palmatum<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Bloodgood\u2019, Zones 5\u20138)<\/em>, which was a seedling from my sister, underplanted with blue star creeper<\/em> (<\/em>Isotoma fluviatilis, Zones 6\u20138)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"two<\/a>In the front yard, a cottonwood<\/em> (<\/em>Populus deltoides, Zones 3\u20139)<\/em> and young Douglas fir, longtime friends<\/em><\/p>\n

\"flowering<\/a>Native dogwood<\/em> (<\/em>Cornus<\/a> nuttallii, Zones 7\u20139)<\/em> in full bloom<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing your delightful garden with us, Jeanne! Your space looks like a true woodland wonderland, and you\u2019ve managed to create tons of fantastic flower and foliage interest despite the planting challenges.<\/p>\n

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and are able to spend as much time as possible enjoying your garden. While you\u2019re out there, consider snapping some photos to share with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We want to see YOUR garden!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have photos to share? We\u2019d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!<\/p>\n

To submit, send 5\u201310 photos to\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We\u2019d love to hear where you are located, how long you\u2019ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.<\/p>\n

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with #FineGardening!<\/p>\n

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet?\u00a0Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n

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National Wildlife Federation\u00ae: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds
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Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz.<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO\/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Alpine Corporation 28″ Tall Outdoor Birdbath with Scrollwork Decoration Yard Statue<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

STUNNING BIRDBATH: Quality birdbath is sure to attract feathered friends and create a charismatic ambiance for your garden, patio, deck, yard, or other outdoor space. SHALLOW SHAPE: Shallow and wide bowl assures that multiple small birds can drink and bathe safely at the same time
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