Yesterday I wrote about Edgewood Gardens which was open during the recent Garden Conservancy Open Days South Sound Garden Tour. The other garden I really enjoyed is Ernie and Julia Graham’s garden in Puyallup. It is a one acre sloped garden that has been constructed with winding paths which take you to different areas and vistas of the garden. I normally don’t like gardens with bits of whimsy but this garden definitely changed my mind. I loved how the garden was personalized.

The show piece of the garden is the pool terrace. It is a treasure trove of tropical plants and pots designed to handle both the poor soil and hot temperatures. The pots and plants are coordinated to the turquoise pool and patio is accented by a purple fence. I loved the golden catalpa tree that is coppiced. Early in the season the young leaves almost look tinged in purple. There is also a tall windmill palm. I saw several gunnera plants just emerging at the base. There are many colorful pots filled with topical plants such as cannas, calibrachoa, sweet potato vine and elephant ear plants. The pond area is so different from the earlier area which is filled with shade and textures. A cool seating area surrounded by maples, ferns and other woodland plants.

A pathway and arbor covered with kiwi and actinidia vines leads from the front of the garden to the gardens in the rear of the home. The pathway is lined with hostas, rogersia and other shade loving texture plants. Along the path are openings to different small gardens including a small fun pond.

These lead to Ernie’s vegetable garden – the second show piece of the garden. Tomatoes, peas, potatoes and other vegetables are being grown in raised beds. I loved the twining and hoops over the tomatoes and the clever chicken wire fencing used for the peas. It is all organic and looks to be extremely productive.

I think what I really enjoyed about the garden is how each gardener’s personality showed in the different areas. There was so much to explore and discover.