Osterling Alessandrini garden—kicking off the final day of the NPA Study Weekend tours

I woke up on the last day of the 2022 Study Weekend in Seattle/Bellevue with a 175 mile drive back to Portland ahead of me. However instead of picking open gardens south of town to tour, I drove 20 miles north of Seattle to Woodinville, to see this garden. Yes, the detour was worth it...

From the event booklet: "The best way to describe Ron Alessandrini and Mike Osterling's Garden is to call it an adventure. Ron and Mike have turned 2 acres of land, and an eyesore house that neighbors just wanted torn down, into a stunning gem nestled into the rolling hills east of downtown Woodinville. The unique property serves as an outdoor gallery....Ron and Mike refer to the gardens as their concept of "architectural gardening". Using over 220 pots and tree stumps to create height and a delight of texture, color, and drama that results in one of the most eclectic gardens around the region."

By the way, these photos are from last June, and we'd had a very rainy spring—everything was very green.

The only place I'd ever seen this many hostas is at Sebright Gardens, a nursery specializing in them. The tour info said there were over 300 in this garden.

As I made my way into the garden I wove in and out of shady densely planted areas and bright open areas.

I couldn't tell if this leaning fence was an artistic statement, or if it was just in the process of toppling over.

Instead of just running over to see what that was all about I casually worked my way there. Not wanting to miss anything.

Hmmm...

I know the description said "over 250 pots", I'm now wondering just how far over. I mean 700 is over 250, right?

Deck off the back of the house...

I wonder how much slug bait they use to keep their hosta collection so pristine?

I took this photo with my back to a corner of the garden that we'll explore with Wednesday's blog post.

For now we're skipping back to the deck off the back of the house and moving onwards. Speaking of that house, remember how the description called it an eyesore? I don't feel like I ever really saw enough of it to have a strong opinion about it. Trees to the rescue!

I wonder if the containers overwinter in place, or if they all get schlepped undercover?

This is the largest expanse of the house I saw, it kind of gave off a '70's hotel vibe.

I was quickly back to focusing on the plants though...

The wood pile, something coming down I wonder? Or something going up?

This area was kind of a front entrance courtyard. I liked it a lot...

...and I'll be sharing more of it on Friday's blog post. Yes I took so many photos in this garden that I've had to break them down into three separate posts. Today's is an overall look at the garden, Wednesday's post is just pure fun and Friday's features some genius ideas I might want to try to work into my garden somehow.