Lawn-less in Seattle!

One project often leads to another. In this instance, the construction of a workshop meant re-grading and re-thinking the back garden of a lovely  home in Sammamish, WA, a popular residential neighborhoood in the Greater Seattle area. In its favor this garden was a good size, had some interesting elevation changes and several mature trees and shrubs. There was also a small, attractive garden shed that was a promising focal point.

Design Criteria

• "Get rid of the lawn!" was the primary request when I met this couple to discuss the garden renovation, together with
• A small, paved sitting area just large enough for two and paths that would meander through planting beds.
• Views from the home were also important both from an upstairs sewing room and the new  workshop.
• The requested aesthetic was to be in calming shades of green with a few pops of color, red being a favorite accent.
• Plants to attract birds

Design Challenges

Upon entering the garden from the side gate the narrow gravel path in-between evergreens felt awkward and the camellia obscured the view into the garden so you weren't really sure where that path might lead. (The neighbors fence was temporarily removed during construction to ease access)

• A mature camellia was obstructing access to the garden and needed to be transplanted

The builders had pushed back the soil during construction to allow a pathway but an easy and inviting, stepped access into the garden was still needed

• A new retaining wall was needed together with a stepped access into the upper garden.
• Privacy from neighbors was a concern
• Existing French drains needed assessing and repairing
• Closer to the house the garden was very shady, with a visual "mush" of spindly plants

Design Solutions

The large camellia was transplanted to open up the view into the garden and a series of steps were added at a more comfortable entry point. These led to an intimate circular patio which was on axis from one of the workshop windows.

With the camellia removed, a diagonal view to the attractive shed opened up and the pathway into the garden became the start of an interesting journey. Black pebbles at the base of the new retaining wall were a nice detail that the contractors added.

Creating a sense of intimacy within the garden which featured several towering trees, meant wrapping the patio in layers of foliage and including plants such as hardy fuchsia which would encourage hummingbirds to visit.

The new patio is in an elevated position within the garden, affording a view as though from a hilltop

Wide, meandering paths of crushed gravel accommodated the grade change and allowed ground water to percolate, reducing winter saturation.

Easy transition from pavers to gravel

Repetition of the golden Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') gives a sense of cohesion which in turn feels restful and enhances the overall aesthetic.

Japanese forest grass was used throughout the garden creating soft yellow waterfalls. A tall vessel beneath a Douglas fir tree helps bring the towering conifer down to earth visually

The shade garden closest to the kitchen and dining room was the most challenging and plants had never done well here. The result was an area seemingly devoid of interest and spindly growth on almost everything other than some hellebore. This is seen easily when analyzing the photo in black and white. When nothing stands out (besides the hellebore leaf and a skyscraper of a tree trunk) it's a clear indication that greater textural variety is needed together with a focal point.

This was resolved by adding a large red container outside the dining room window (which the homeowner promises me she really will plant! I have suggested a large autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) for simplicity) ). This provided a focal point in the foreground. I also added a variety of different foliage colors and textures being sure to include some larger leaf specimens such as oak leaf hydrangeas  (Hydrangea quercifolia) Siberian bugloss (Brunnera spp.) and lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)

Two years later and most things are flourishing although we are still battling rabbits, hence the wire cloche

Looking at the image above, I really like the way the eye is drawn from the front red pot, to the red leaved maple (left) then on to the taller red vessel in the background. Clear pathways invite exploration and this area no longer feels neglected but very much connected to the larger design.

The birds weren't forgotten either. Hummingbirds and song birds are frequent visitors and I was able to include an existing birdbath near a window,

A whimsical birdbath rises from a froth of Gilt Edge toad lily (Trycirtis spp.)

Key Plants-Foliage First

The following two collages give a sense of the overall colored and textures used and also indicate how important foliage is in this design. These just happen to be images I have in my own photo library. They don't include all the plants used but helped the homeowners understand my vision.

Before & After

View from entry gate

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View looking from the shed toward the house and kitchen area

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View looking from the shed toward the new workshop

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View from kitchen and dining room looking towards the garden shed

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Final Thoughts.

Honestly, I squealed with sheer delight when I visited recently. To see a design come to life and be so well cared for is every designers dream. It was also an opportunity to assess what needed some minor tweaks (thanks rabbits…) but overall everything looked wonderful even though these recent images were taken at the very end of September. That timing mean that the Bobo hydrangeas weren't quite as white and that the bleeding hearts had melted away – but it also goes to show that the foliage framework carries this through the year.

I also had a laugh because the homeowners had stipulated several times "No pink!" – yet she had added pink petunias in her annual containers.  Got to love it when the homeowner changes their mind.

PS. Check out the front garden renovation we did for these homeowners a year or so later. You will get a sense of how it connects visually to this larger design.

What the homeowners said

Karen has created a unique oasis in a challenging, compact garden area. Whether we are looking at it from inside the house or being in it, there’s a sense of relaxation and connection with nature. Karen’s sense of color, choice of plants and placement reinforce our enjoyment of the new garden space.

The changing seasons produce an evolving new garden throughout the year. During winter, the fragrant sweetbox, winter daphne, and bright yellow flowers from the Oregon grape are a treat!

Our new outdoor space invites us to take a break as we walk the meandering gravel paths, read a book, or check out what’s new in the garden. We are very pleased and it is a joy to have.

Berg's Landscaping did a fabulous job installing my design and always make me look good!