August 30, 2024

If there was one yard that really spoke to my very private sensibilities on the Puget Sound Fling closing month, it was the Yard of Exuberant Refuge, the joyful creation of Daniel Sparler and Jeff Schouten in Seattle. Vibrant, quirky, irreverent, playful, and rewarding to the observant purchaser, the yard charmed me from begin to end.

The Sparler-Schouten yard kicked off a bonus day of the Fling for a smaller group of about 50 who signed up for it early. Gillian Mathews, former proprietor of Ravenna Gardens (which I visited within the midst of the 2011 Seattle Fling), put collectively the lineup of Seattle gardens in coordination with Fling organizers Camille and Paula, and it was as fabulous as the opposite days of the Fling.

I took a bazillion pictures of the Sparler-Schouten yard, so I’m breaking my tour into two posts. For half 1, let’s begin with the pond yard all through the doorway yard.

This pond! I am keen on it. A hoop of lime inexperienced accommodates black water and glass floats. The arrowhead leaves of colocasia and sparkler-like papyrus rise from the water, together with mossy, dripping columns. A toy alligator basks on the pond’s rim due to…why not?

The paving goes all-in on the circle theme, every wheel accented with a purple “eye.” A painted bench and surrounding flowers add additional grapey purple.

I like a stock-tank pond, and I like a painted wall. So finally I’m loopy for this container pond inside a painted concrete wall.

“Each little little little bit of this yard is do-it-yourself,” say Daniel and Jeff, together with many painted concrete pillars that elevate pots and yard work. “Design purists beware!” they warn. “In case you see one factor remotely tasteful, we guarantee you it’s purely coincidental. Now in its thirty third outrageous 12 months, that is normally a collector’s yard by means of which the wild and wacky vegetation have taken over the asylum.”

Widespread readers know that I’m not a plant nerd. I like vegetation, however what attracts me to a yard shouldn’t be a novel assortment of them however fairly the ultimate feeling a yard evokes, its creativity and spirit. And that’s what I am keen on about this yard — its playful and artistic spirit.

Expressiveness is the problem that’ll seize you, each time. So gardeners, take a lesson from Daniel and Jeff, and don’t be afraid to DIY your yard and indulge no matter loopy subject thrills you!

I like a superb pot-head hairdo.

The pond’s floor is a darkish mirror.

Ceramic totem topped with a strappy sphere and slag glass. And moss!

A rubber snake coils spherical a trellis. A vine has grabbed it with its non-public snaky tendrils.

Bushes that died have been reworked into current pillars…

…for rubber tree frogs.

A shaggy palm trunk wears a pair of juicy lips. One completely different face stares out from a little bit little bit of salvaged wire mesh.

Alongside a shady path, quick concrete pillars painted lavender, pink, and yellow make a dock-like edging. Every pillar is topped with impressed tiles or stones or rebar used to cradle a potted plant.

This being Seattle, moss has colonized them too.

A red-flowering bromeliad on current

Chunks of inexperienced slag glass make a defending fairy circle spherical a wonderfully variegated plant.

Pillar decor

A satisfying gnome and Teletubbies perch on this one.

Glass starfish and beads adorn one completely different.

Rebar is used to whimsical impression, like this swirling loop…

…with barely mandrill clinging to the tip.

An extended arbor affords protected passage by means of the jungle, its curved path engaging you on.

A gargoyle crouches atop a purple pillar.

Shorter pillars current glass and rocks.

These rubber snakes add to the jungle vibe.

The zigzag “roof” of the hallway provides a dynamic contact.

Devices of bamboo wired to the trellis make impromptu vases for allium seedheads, which appear to sizzle like sparklers.

A do-it-yourself shrine affords a purpose to pause.

Monkeys dangling from a palm tree maintain factors playful.

Mossy Buddha on a concrete bench

Ceramic-and-glass totems brighten the shady yard.

An elevated ceramic ball makes a shiny focus amid tropical-looking vegetation.

Tree fern foliage

Mauve lilies

Rawr!

Heading into the as soon as extra yard, the trail curves by means of blue pillars displaying fairly vegetation, within the course of an open-sided shade constructing.

I like how the homeowners use painted pillars to raise up vegetation for appreciation, along with peak, constructing, and shade which is able to maintain even in winter.

The shade constructing affords an intimate patio area surrounded by the yard.

It appears to be like out on an distinctive blue eucalyptus tree.

Patio vignette

A lot good foliage on this yard, with vibrant pots and pillars for exhibiting it off.

Up subsequent: Half 2 of my go to to the playful Sparler-Schouten Yard. For a glance as soon as extra at Half 2 of my tour of Windcliff, together with the blufftop yard, click on on on correct proper right here.

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Digging Deeper

Uncover the world of succulents and cacti on the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society’s Fall Sale on 8/31 and 9/1, from 10 am to five pm. Held on the Austin Space Yard Coronary coronary heart in Zilker Botanical Yard, it features a plant present with specimen cacti and succulents, handcrafted pottery, day by day silent public sale and hourly plant raffles, {{and professional}} suggestion. Entry included with the price of admission at Zilker Botanical Yard: Adults $6 to $8, Seniors $5 to $7, Youths $3 to $4, Children beneath 2 free.

Come uncover out about gardening and design at Yard Spark! I put together in-person talks by inspiring designers, panorama architects, authors, and gardeners just a few occasions a 12 months in Austin. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out rapidly, so be part of the Yard Spark e-mail report back to be notified prematurely; merely click on on on this hyperlink and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Protect tuned for additional data!

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