On our third day of the Fling we headed to the Kitsap Peninsula. Our first stop was the Heckler's garden. The write up said that there were over 100 hydrangeas in this small garden! We have been seeing so many hydrangeas in these gardens, it is just amazing. Walking up the gravel driveway we were greeted by a long planting along the side of the house. Besides hydrangeas there were palms and Japanese maples and various containers with more plants!
Love these double blossomed hydrangeas! |
This garden also had some
climbing hydrangeas.
This garden had a lot of parasols over the hydrangeas, to protect them from the sun. As one who lives in South Carolina and has lots of hydrangeas in my garden, I found this interesting.
One variety of hydrangea that was new to me was Hydrangea aspera. The leaves are fuzzy and the unopened blooms are so different looking. They are native to China and seem to be happy in the Pacific Northwest.
Hydrangea aspera |
The fuzzy leaves of the H. aspera |
Another variety of hydrangea, these double white blooms really pop in the shade.
See the parasols above the plants? |
Working our way around the garden we enter a very shaded area, mulched areas with slices of logs as stepping pads lead us through the wooded area.
As you round the back edge of the shaded woody garden you encounter some limbed up fir, this one had some artwork in the form of a salamander or lizard. Do you see it?
As you emerge from the back area in the woods, there is a lawn area, with large spheres made of formed branches. They were a nice bit of understated artwork on the lawn.
More gorgeous hydrangeas for your enjoyment.
Next stop is Heronswood! Stay tuned.