THE SEATTLE FLING 2011

Yesterday morning 75 garden bloggers, from all parts of the country and even as far away as England, met in the lobby of a Seattle hotel. I was one of them, embarking on my first 'Fling' thanks to the hard work of Debra Prinzing, Lorene Edwards Forkner, Maryann Newcomer and Marty Wingate.

Two buses arrived at the door to transport us on a 4 day extravaganza of garden visits. The weather was set fair for the weekend. The cameras were at the ready. Let's begin.

SHELAGH TUCKER'S SEATTLE GARDEN

Shelagh was inspired by the gravel gardens of Beth Chatto. I knew immediately I was going to love this garden because it is in my own style, although the plantings are quite different.

The house is elevated from the street, and reached by a series of steps and landings. The first is a circular garden laid with stone in between which thyme grows.

The plants in this garden require little in the way of fertilizer or water.

Large expanses of gravel are softened with stands of Stipa tennuisima.

In the back garden, Shelagh gardens organically with liberal use of compost which has resulted in a rich soil and very happy plants. There are several old apple trees on the lawn above the rear patio.

Plants are perfectly placed.

Around every corner a new wonder.

Here is one plant that grows well in Texas. One I always have room for in my own garden too; the mullein.
Besides being an artist in the garden Shelagh is also a fine water color artist. I caught up with her in her studio along the garden path. Thanks Sheila for opening up your exquisite garden for us all to enjoy.

Imagine having two wonderful gardens like this on one street. Shelagh's next door neighbors, Suzette and Jim Birrell' s garden, was next on the tour.