Let's Go: Vista Gardens

 High on a hill overlooking Phinney Bay in Bremerton, Washington, rests a four-acre, non-profit botanical garden known as Vista Gardens. This past July, my Great Plant Picks team toured many fabulous gardens in the Puget Sound region for our annual field days event; this garden, which I had not visited, left a lasting impression. It is a botanical garden that started as a private garden in 1998 with then two acres. Over the years it has expanded in size and mission. John Albers and his wife Santica Marcovina are passionate gardeners who wish to "further their mission of educating and inspiring the public about sustainable gardening practices," and with three books under his belt, John is well on his way to reaching a larger audience than simply the Puget Sound region. He is a Research Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, a role that feeds into his passion about environmental horticulture and landscaping with decades of experience in both. I imagine it's a bit of a scientific approach to gardening with a curiosity and experimental nature that years of studying medicine brings.

The garden itself, one of a plant collector with a special love of conifers, heathers and maples, is divided into several smaller gardens, including a biofiltration garden, a hilltop vista, madrona woods and a redwood sanctuary among several others. Fifteen areas in total. We were led by John on a delightful private tour before we took off in separate directions happily discovering an incredible piece of land filled with horticultural treasures. And in case you're wondering they do offer many open garden days as well as workshops and guided tours, most with a suggested entrance fee of $10. Memberships are also available.

Just one of many focused areas, this one with a gorgeous seating area overlooking the water of Puget Sound.

We began our visit at the private residence and made our way down the drive through the Betty Albers garden and the shady woodland John Lentz garden.

Richly covered in groundcovers such as Adiantum venustum and Oxalis oregana help to knit together a rich tapestry of foliage shapes and sizes.

 Back along the main trail we encounter the Mittsu no Shima and Primo Giardino gardens, both a cheerful tapestry of sun-loving conifers, perennials and succulents.

These are at a fairly level area of the property, pretty much the rest of it spills down the hillside with carefully considered paths that lead in all directions. A delightful place in which to get lost.

Sculptures, such as this glass piece (artist unknown) are generously placed throughout.

A lovely and mature Cunninghamia lanceolata close to the garden's entrance.

We headed towards an open area, I'm not clear on this garden's name but it is full of lavender, conifers and drought tolerant plantings as well as a graveled area with two focal point sculptures.

I believe this is Artemisia versicolor and it was seen throughout sunny areas in the Vista Gardens. Rather large and very happy specimens, I would say. I'm surprised how well they are doing in this region.

Pinus strobus 'Louie', a lovely golden form of eastern white pine.

Sculpture in the center of the aforementioned graveled area with smokebush in the background.

From the other side with the pine in the background. Many Mediterranean plants in this region felt right at home. 

Some of the friendly faces of Great Plant Picks - Left to right: Randall, Lou and Angelina having waaay too much fun. Great Plant Picks volunteers are a goofy bunch representing Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. We come from a diverse range of horticulture backgrounds and are passionate about plants.

I believe this is the edge of the biofiltration garden.

One of what I imagine must be hundreds of Japanese maples in the garden, artfully limbed up to provide a canopy for plants below, adding layers and texture.

Grasses catching the wind in what I think is the stroll garden.

A shady spot among a sea of lavender.

Larix laricina ‘Blue Sparkler’ 

My cohort Angelina and I decided to go explore and look for the highest point in the garden. Here, paths on the way are lined with what I think is Libertia, perhaps L. grandiflora.

As we ascend the hillside, a glimpse of what we can expect at the top makes me excited.  

Every inch of this garden is carefully considered. We were all baffled at the muscle needed to get these huge stones in place so far up the hillside. This is definitely a labor of love. This area of the garden is more naturalistic with several Northwest native understory shrubs and trees.

The hilltop vista. We made it. Look at the layers of vegetation! It's pretty mind boggling.

A couple cohorts also made the trek to the top and let me tell you, it was a hike to get up here. Left to right: Randall, Claude, Leslie and Angelina, representing all three regions that Great Plant Picks covers. We are all having a great time and taking notes left and right. All are such great people!

On the way down, a grass lined gravel path with Festuca (perhaps Festuca glauca) and Artemisia versicolor literally looks like it's moving, flowing like water down the hill.

Another peek at the water beyond.

Mix of conifers and sun loving perennials in what I believe is Sam's conifer reserve.

I stumbled upon my favorite outlook, Santica's perfect solitude garden.

From a different angle.

From above with views toward the southwest, Rocky Point is the farthest bit of land across Phinney Bay.

Pretty much perfection. Those views! Not only the water and land beyond, but the garden below and all around offer such diversity of form, color, texture and maintained with sustainable practices and a lot of love.

There is far too much in this garden for me to adequately cover it in any real depth. Although we weren't rushed, a couple of hours was not nearly enough. Another fantastic garden to return to someday soon, hopefully. I would love to see it this time of the year when all of those amazing Japanese maples turn color, I imagine it's a sight to behold. Also, spring flowering plants and trees are not to be missed, I am told. It is, to be sure, an all-seasons garden.

To learn more about the sustainable practices and education offered by the Vista Gardens, I encourage a browse through their website and hopefully visit in person. It's definitely worth it. They so passionately wish to share their practices and education and encourage all gardeners of all levels with practical knowledge. And, let's face it, it's a tremendous amount of beauty even mid-day with harsh summer sun. My impressions are of a magnificent sunny southwest facing garden that tumbles towards the water, gently guiding you along its vast network of trails. Conifers and deciduous trees are expertly intertwined between sun loving and drought adapted perennials and sub-shrubs, while the magic of what lies beneath, healthy soil and some biofiltration to boot, feed what's above. It's a pollinator paradise with a passionate team of volunteers and gardeners and is welcoming with big open arms. Go.

That's a wrap for this week at Chickadee Gardens, as always thank you so much for reading and commenting, we do love hearing from you! And if you've been to this garden, we'd love to hear your experiences! Happy gardening.