The Saadien garden by the sea

This was the first garden I visited on the last day of the 2023 Study Weekend event in Vancouver BC last June. It was such a special spot that I saved it for my last post. I believe the land you see across the water is Bowen Island and the body of water would be correctly referred to as the Strait of Georgia.

But what caught my eye first? The agave of course! I didn't get a chance to ask the owner/gardener but assumed it was planted out once the weather warmed that spring. A friend who visited the garden later that day confirmed that was the case.

To the right of the agave is this elevated, lavender-bordered walkway to the lower look-out.

"Our home and garden is on a rock bluff approximately 100 feet above sea level and situated between 2 bays. The oceanside of the garden faces southwest and it follows the contours of the land. On the south side, there are several rocky outcrops around which the pathways wind. The plants, bushes, and trees are in beds at different levels. Nothing is allowed to obstruct the ever-changing views of sea and sky that are such a source of pleasure and interest for us. This is a garden with different microclimates, and over the years we have had endless enjoyment experimenting with different plants. The north side is more shady, cooler, and is home to more native plants."

I forget exactly what pathway I took to get there but now we're exploring the garden behind the look-out and under the elevated walkway.

Looking up at the house.

Passing under...

The greenhouse! Pretty spectacular, but mostly empty.

Eryngium yuccifolium

Walkway from the reverse side.

The next three images seem out of order, but I was just wandering about in awe snapping photos, and so chose to post them as I took them.

That view again!

And out there in that dry rock bed, a volunteer Arbutus menziesii, aka madrone, that planted itself and seems quite happy. Who would have thunk it?

It wasn't just the view, there were fabulous plants too...

Interesting shape on that new frond of Pyrrosia sheareri.

Polystichum some something (I think?).

Ditto

Adiantum some something (don't you love my fern ID skills?)

Libertia

Another view of the back of the house.

Blechnum penna-marina/Austroblechnum penna-marina (alpine water fern)

Lonicera crassifolia

Lonicera crassifolia with an asarum. 

And because I'm still loving the view (and the Agave americana variegata) why not end with another shot of just that? Sigh...

The next PNW Study Weekend event will be held here in Portland: Nimble Gardening in an Evolving World, June 27-29, 2025. More info here.

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A collector's shade garden, in Vancouver BC

The Ketchum garden was another one of last June's Study Weekend stops that everyone was talking about ("have you been to the...?" "what did you think of the...?"). Because I'd heard the buzz I was prepared for the crush of visitors. The garden was packed, but somehow I managed to not get people in most of my photos.

The front garden included water and a bridge to the front door...

From our event booklet: "My collector's shade garden is nestled in front of a conifer forest which offers and aura of serenity. The entrance garden features a large natural pond, which adds reflective light, movement, and sound...This garden reflects the juxtaposition of plants, shrubs, and trees with texture, size, shape, and colours. My favorite plants are Arisaemas, Podophyllums, Calycanthus, Magnolia 'Woodsman', Moon maple, and 'Koto-no-ito' maple."

It's not every house that you access via a bridge...

It was all very green and lush.

Such an unusual and substantial garden wall.

And then I looked up...

And back down...

Love the varied trough styles.

And the foliage, such great foliage in this garden! Impatiens omeiana

Podophyllum for the win! I do not for the life of me know how I managed a photo with no shoes in it. I remember standing here in this pathway waiting, waiting, waiting to be able to take a shot and move a few feet. There were so many people!

Podophyllum difforme 'Starfish Strain'

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'

And another Podophyllum difforme 'Starfish Strain' 

Rhododendron williamsianum

More orchid foliage (Cypripedium formosanum) this may have been THE plant of the weekend!

A great rhododendron with tomentum covered new foliage.

This charming small greenhouse was along the side of the house as you made your way back out front.

Rabbit's foot fern living up to it's (common) name.

Another trough planting.

And just like that I'm back at the front of the house, the entrance that doesn't involve a bridge over water...

To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note; these are sent from a third party, you’ll want to click thru to read the post here on the blog to avoid their annoying ads. 

All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.