Robin and Jeanne Cronce's garden in Port Orchard was on the Northwest Perennial Alliance (NPA) Open Gardens Tour in July. Before showing the pictures, I should say that it was a real treat!
The NPA brochure says: "Winter Springs Gardens sits on five acres which evolved over the last 35 years. The gardens have many different 'Garden rooms' of shade and sun, fountains, fruit trees, berries, two separate organic food gardens, many different kinds of bamboo, roses, flowers, shrubs, and conifers, etc. "
The lot is surrounded by trees, and there is an impression that you are in the countryside. This impression is getting even stronger when you see a charming log house, built from the logs harvested on the property, and other structures including greenhouses and a chicken house.
All the garden work is done by Jeanne, who tends the plants, and Robin who builds arches, trellises, fences, and also mows and moves heavy stuff.
Jeanne is an avid plant collector. Large variety of plants is the first thing I noticed.
Most plants come from the local market, plant sales and fellow gardeners.
Then - it's amazing how vivid and healthy her plants are.
Most plants come from the local market, plant sales and fellow gardeners.
Then - it's amazing how vivid and healthy her plants are.
Jeanne's secret to growing outstanding plants is using good compost.
Fresh compost is added every year, not for the whole garden at once, but border after border, plantbed after plantbed.
Fresh compost is added every year, not for the whole garden at once, but border after border, plantbed after plantbed.
Neat metal fence is guarding vegetable beds from rabbits.
I love how Jeanne combines vegetables with flowers.
It's logical for strawberry to have straw, don't you think?
Creative and fun!
Neat!
Beautiful terracotta containers
I like how the house entrance is framed by the greenery
Formal element in rather casual garden is unexpected surprise and fun!
This dead tree was destined for removing.
Instead, Jeanne turned it into a garden sculpture. Smile
Instead, Jeanne turned it into a garden sculpture. Smile
One of Robin's creations, wonderful arch
July Magnolia bloom
I couldn't get enough of the arch
I wish my Rodgersia was so healthy and robust
Did I say that the garden has an impressive plant variety? Conifers, shrubs, bamboo, fruit trees and shrubs, grasses, roses, vines, annuals and perennials, bulbs, native plants, herbs, vegetables... And, Jeanne still has a plant wish list!
Chicken house built by Robin
Now, I know what to do with the basketball stand when our boys leave the nest
Jeanne talks with love about her garden. It reflects her sunny optimistic personality.
It was a pleasure listening to her - how she adds new garden areas, starts new projects, propagates the plants to have more planting material and to share.
Thank you, Robin and Jeanne, for opening your garden!
I hope to visit it again one day.
I hope to visit it again one day.
Thanks for the cookies too!
***Copyright 2015 TatyanaS
