The garden of Don Brooks and Chris Syrjala

Today we're headed back up to the Seattle area and the Northwest Perennial AllianceHardy Plant Study Weekend that took place in mid-June. This garden was just a couple blocks off a route I traveled frequently when I lived in Seattle in the 1990's, it was kind of exciting to finally walk into the garden of one of those houses I drove by for years...These mushroom-like creatures were street-side. Lights? They sure look like they might be, but I don't remember hearing that and can't tell by the photos.
Roots and all!
In the driveway there were daylilies for sale, a prior plant obsession that had fallen out of favor (so I was told).
Walking through the very private entrance gate.
During this three-day adventure (plus two shoulder days if you chose to partake) there were more gardens open than any person could be expected to visit, so one had to read the descriptions and come up with a game plan for what you wanted to see. I am so glad I got to this one, it was a perfect meeting of plant passion and personal creativity.  

Now we're moving out beyond the first fenced space (complete with a pond) into the great beyond...
Which is pretty fabulous!

This garden occupies a third of an acre in Seattle's Maple Leaf neighborhood, Don and Chris have lived here since 1978. Quoting from the event booklet's description: "The property has gone through many changes, from a large veggie/fruit garden, to a children's garden, followed by perennial borders, and currently a collector's garden. Probably the most accurate description would be a collector's cramscaped place. I love all things green and recycled, including stone and rusted items. I sometimes describe the garden as a collection of curiosities." You can understand why I felt very at home here.

There were agaves!
And ferns...

The garden description mentions that Mr. Brooks has retired from almost 40 years of professional gardening but doesn't say where he was working. I think he must have been allowed to take this sign home on his final day on the job (see my 2020 visit to Kubota Garden here)


I never managed to get up close with the veggie plantings under the framework, but I circled them and snapped photos from several angles.
Looking backwards, at where I'd just been.
I love it when there are interesting bits left out to examine.
Maybe left from a flowering and fruiting banana? 


Nicely done small rock garden.
With an interesting stone/color transition.


I love getting a look at someone else's work space. Lots of treasures in there.
These "snowflake" rocks were all around the garden, turns out they are a local (well, Snoqualmie Pass, in Western WA) phenomenon.
The rocks...

Are you with me?
Hmm, mysterious stairsteps into a shady corner, let's explore!

Pyrrosia!
Comptonia peregrina, sweet fern (but not really a fern).

Those veggies again!


"Stay off the deck!" (said nicely, with plants)

This is one of those very personal gardens that I leave feeling so lucky to have to have visited, almost like I snuck in to a private space where I wasn't supposed to be.
Thank you Don Brooks and Chris Syrjala for opening your garden!