These gardens are ten years in the making, set on 1.5 acres in the hills of rural Hockinson, Washington, within a 22-acre managed forest. At 800 feet above sea level on a glacial moraine, the site was once rocky enough to require 40 dump trucks of topsoil before we could landscape. Some boulders remain as retaining walls, a reminder of Hockinson’s geologic history.
Begin in the front garden and follow a 100-foot meandering stream with small waterfalls, home to goldfish, frogs, and a turtle that appeared one day. Continue through the side garden of lilacs, pee gee hydrangeas, and clematis to a wrought-iron gate leading to the backyard. A gravel path borders Hakonechloa grass and leads to a 30-foot vine-covered pergola and Florentine fountain. Beyond is a hillside garden of roses, perennials, conifers, shrubs, fruit trees, and views over a horse pasture and natural pond, with a vegetable garden below. Near the barn, a shade garden mixes natives with hostas, hardy geraniums, ferns, rhododendrons, hellebores, and hydrangeas—plus a few chickens helping with cleanup.