Tag: gardens

In the Pink

Common Mullein

Because I’d forgotten the name of this beautiful plant, I Googled it, and for some reason, not everyone is as fond of it as me…some westerners actually refer to it as “cowboy toilet paper”!

Personally, I can only envision using it for that purpose when in desperate circumstances, with absolutely no alternative, but since the Sears catalog is no longer in print, I suppose that could happen…but where? Certainly not here in prim and proper Sequim!

But, I did find this lovely specimen in a local resident’s garden; mind you, it was far from anything that resembled a Sani-can though and the gardener never mentioned “the unmentionable”.

So with that said, I hope you find it as lovely as I did, and that you’ll appreciate its unique beauty and its “tissue-like” petals. Hmmmm….

Bloedel Reserve and Gardens

Sitting beautifully on a Japanese pine, “William” a barred owl, is from what I understand, a frequent visitor to Bloedel Gardens. While strolling through with a friend he made a showing that was not only surprising, but picture perfect.

And although an hour’s drive from Sequim, or an hour forty-five minutes via the Strait Shot bus, both the gardens and the preserve are absolutely stunning, and well worth the time spent traveling.

The reserve has a very interesting history dating back to 1951 when the property was acquired as a resident for Virginia and Prentice Bloedel (the house is beautifully restored and open for viewing), and in 1988, it opened to the public as a 140-acre public garden and forest preserve. On their website you can read more about the couple, their vision and mission for the future, and the incredible scenery.

And just recently, the gardens are welcoming visitors on a pay-what-you-wish basis on Welcome Wednesdays as part of the Reserve’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.

So now there are no excuses not to visit, and when and if you do, I’m sure it will be an experience you’ll want to repeat.