The Cascadia Garden

The Cascadia Garden began in 1920. Betula pendula, Camellia japonica, Erica carnea, Pieris japonica, Hybrid Tea Roses, Weigela coraeensis, Aucuba japonica, Rhododendron ‘Pink Pearl’ & Skimmia japonica were planted during the 1st few years.

Iris douglasiana & Stachys byzantina

From 1961 the Cascadia Garden was developed by the Jackson family. Native plants were transferred from family property on Phantom Lake, City of Bellevue. Chief among these were Acer circinatum, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Gaultheria shallon, Mahonia aquifolium & nervosa, Polystichum munitum & forest perennials Achlys triphylla, Dicentra formosa, Maianthemum dilatatum & Oxalis oregana.

In 1970 Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ was planted. By 2008 it was 15 feet high & wide. Too many hybrid Rhododendron were added during the 1980s, an era of excess. Many of the original plants were removed with the notable exceptions of the large & gnarled Pieris japonica & the ever-vigorous Weigela coraeensis. Rhododendron 'Pink Pearl' was relocated. Several more Pieris japonica & 2 Weigela florida were planted after 1993.

In 1993 development of the garden increased dramatically. A wide array of plants were added. Many smaller gardens were made. A perennial border was begun in 1993 which gradually became a mixed border of blue & yellow. In 1994 the lawn was replaced with a small vegetable garden, a large perennial garden, a rock garden & a xeric garden.

5 Paeonia suffruticosa were planted in the perennial garden. Within 5 years they had spread enough to shelter a garden of woodland perennials beneath. The Peony Shade Garden underplanting was begun in 2003.

Paeonia suffruticosa & Geranium phaeum

A slender & pendulous form of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana seeded in from nearby gardens. Some were transplanted to better sites. A bosque was created in the southwest corner of the garden using 4 Chamaecyparis & 1 Thuja plicata. By 2008 they had grown large.

In 2004 the xeric garden became the Stony Slope. The area was retained with low stone walls. Large & small stones were scattered throughout. The ground & path were covered in gravel. Plants from dry, mountainous & stony sites in western North America, western & central Asia were planted.

Between 2003 & 2007 the rock garden was transformed into a 7-foot-wide privacy screen along the northern property line. 2 small gardens were made in front: the Eucomis Circle & the West Coast Perennials Garden.