Roaming gardens in the PNW

Barbara and I have been thrilled with the fortunate timing of our trip to Seattle, Mount Rainier and the Olympic National Park. Based upon decades of travel to the area for business (with a few hikes and garden visits squeezed in), I judged that mid-June would be cool and most importantly, dry. A week ago, it rained, but this week the weather could not be better.

I’m considering adding a few, and possibly more than a few Mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia) to the shaded side garden. One I planted a year ago was nibbled by deer. Now, it barely rises above tall ferns. In another year, it’ll be fine, but seeing several flowering at Bellevue Botanical Garden outside Seattle has convinced me. Of course, mountain laurels faded from bloom weeks ago in our area, so what a pleasure to see along with a few late flowering rhododendrons.

I need more…… and there will be more, and not only mountain laurels. The side garden could use a few more evergreens, so mountain laurels are ideal. There’s always room for ground covers, so while Barbara and I are hiking and visiting gardens in Washington I’ll be making notes.

A few rhododendrons grabbed my eye at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, but what grows here might not survive the cold, summer heat, and clay soil of our garden. Still, there’s one with long, narrow leaves that I’m tempted to try. But mostly, I’m looking for fillers to carpet spaces between mountain laurels, Japanese maples and trees and shrubs that have been here for decades.

As always, on every visit to the Pacific Northwest there are a few jack-in-the-pulpits (Arisaema) and mayapples (Podophyllum) that I can’t live without. In gardens and in the wild, I’ve been inspired to continue to add ferns, in particular along paths. I’m tempted to try the PNW native Deer fern that is unlikely to be happy in our summer heat.

I’ve also seen a few hydrangeas that are likely to end up in the garden. If I can find the space.