Some days, I am struck by wanderlust. I leave the floor un-swept, a book half-read, the laundry sitting in its basket, and walk out the door.
Whitney Gardens and Nursery
A friend triggered this impulse when she told me, with almost breathless excitement, about visiting Whitney Gardens and Nursery, in Brinnon, on Hood Canal. She said it was originally known for rhododendrons, but now has “everything!” – shrubs, flowers, berry bushes, perennials, “the works!” Other friends who have rhododendrons in their gardens knew all about it.
It’s still true that Whitney’s is primarily about rhododendrons, but it’s not quite true that they have everything. They do have lots of shrubs and a small but well-chosen selection of perennials. But there isn’t room for much else, and there’s only a single obligatory seed rack.
Among the berry bushes were some thornless blackberries. Now that’s a novel idea. You can scarcely walk two blocks without passing our invasive and abundant Himalayan blackberries in virtually any uncultivated space. They are pretty thorny. But planting blackberries of any variety sure seems like a coals-to-Newcastle idea.
Nonetheless, my friend was right to say that Whitney’s is well worth the trip for the vastness and wonder of its six acres of gardens. They include many exotic trees and a vast collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, many old and some quite huge. And if you walk all the way to the back, you will be rewarded by the sight of a spectacular blooming wisteria that has escaped its arbor and climbed high up a fir tree.
It’s also worth it just for the drive up Hood Canal, which is lovely this time of year. Along the way there are glimpses of our wild native Rhododendron Macrophyllum growing in the woods. There are lots of parks, trails, small towns, fresh oysters and seafood markets. And at a nearby park along the Duckabush River, the most charming sight of the day was a wild native Nootka rose leaning out over the rushing water.
Rhododendron Species Foundation Garden
Having inhaled the scents of so many rhododendrons and azaleas, I wanted to see and smell the originals – the wild species from which all our familiar hybrids are bred. So I took a far less pleasant drive up I-5 to the Rhododendron Species Foundation garden in Federal Way. The garden more than made up for the drive.
It’s a wonderland of gentle woodland trails, filled with 800 of the 1200 known species of rhododendrons. Even if you have no intention of growing rhododendrons, this is a place that will lower your blood pressure, calm your soul, and please your senses. There is a feast of other kinds of plants as well; some species, some hybrids, many in bloom. Like the rhododendrons and azaleas, most, but not all, are labeled. And right now, the light but pervasive fragrance is delightful.
There’s a bonus attraction too: the Pacific Bonsai Museum. It includes a counterpoint to the wild and free wisteria that escaped up a tree at Whitney’s: a perfectly balanced, blooming bonsai wisteria, about three feet tall. The bonsai collection is both a pleasure and an education about this refined garden art.
There are, of course, other day trips to think about next time you feel the need to leave town: Lakewold Gardens, just up I-5 in Lakewood is on my list; so is a visit to the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. Google “botanical gardens near me” for more.
But now it’s time to get back to the book, the chores, and my own garden, where an enormous mock orange is fragrant. This gigantic shrub started its life on the neighbor’s side of my backyard fence. The neighbor didn’t like it, and so cut it to the ground. It promptly came up on my side of the fence, for which I am grateful.
Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee
If you sign up for emails from the Royal Horticultural Society, you will receive messages like this one:
“We were delighted that the Queen and members of the Royal family could attend RHS Chelsea Flower Show last week, the jewel in the RHS show calendar. This week we have floral tributes, live music and family activities at RHS Gardens to commemorate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.”
The message included a nifty history of British gardening during the 70 years of the Queen’s reign. It’s a quick read, both fun and thought provoking.
Jill Severn writes from her home in Olympia, where she grows vegetables, flowers and a small flock of chickens. She loves conversation among gardeners. Start one by emailing her at jill@theJOLTnews.com
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here