Seattle Residence: Native Gardens

Seattle Residence: Native Gardens

This urban garden tells the story of the massive disturbance and radical change in the scale of Seattle’s plant community over the last 150 years, from the great ancient forests of giant conifers to the now-normal miniaturized scale of landscape design. Quick-spreading stoloniferous and herbaceous plants bring nutrients to depleted soils, shield the ground from stormwater and erosion, and bring a joyous, lush feeling to the most disturbed sites. The project contains 100% Northwest-native plants in a region well known to be behind in the availability, awareness, and use of lowland native plants. The purpose of this project as an ambassador, experiment, and precedent-setter is a meaningful and urgent step toward repairing the land.

Located in a traditional, historic Seattle neighborhood, the design of several distinct garden spaces at this small home was driven by the Client’s passion for native Northwest plants. A formal-friendly entry is balanced with sculptural elements – stumperies and a low basalt water table – set within layers of shrubs, vine maples, and a carpet of very small plants to greet one’s feet. Inside the perimeter hedge, a meadow garden is planted with colorful sedges, perennials, ferns, and shrubs that are typically found in native meadows and along edges of forest clearings. The meadow garden wraps the home, encompassing the dining terrace while creating ever-changing, lush views from the home’s interior.

A carefully placed sunken garden brings light and beauty to basement rooms. Sheltered by shade trees from the street, and shaded from afternoon light by the house, this sunken garden’s design draws inspiration and its plant palette from forest bogs and stream edges – featuring plants like skunk cabbage, devil’s club, thimbleberry and salmonberry.