Apr 28, 2010

More Bloedel Reserve pictures

Bloedel Reserve features so many different microclimates. It has some lovely canyons with streams flowing and many ponds and marshes in addition to sunny meadows and formal gardens. (I have more shots of this amazing place, from last year, HERE. Don't miss the galloping otter!)

A favorite denizen of the marshy areas there: Skunk Cabbage!! (Lysichiton americanus.) It does have a faint and fairly pleasant skunky aroma. I love it nestled here among the cheerful clover.

BELOW: This beauty is a clumpy ground cover. The periwinkle blue is totally hypnotizing.

BELOW: Primrose are well-represented at Bloedel and are in full bloom now.


BELOW: I am infatuated with Pieris Japonica right now, and look what I found - WOW. The new growth on this grand old 10' tall plant is the prettiest soft peach-rose color.

A few more shots from my visit to Bloedel, to come shortly.

3 comments:

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Gorgeous flowers! I see why you love the Pieris. I used to grow Pieris in our first garden, and always loved the flush of new growth. I think we grew Pieris Japonica 'Forest Flame' if memory serves.

RainGardener said...

Beautiful! The Pieris Japonica is gorgeous - love the way the light is hitting it. I went back and looked at your old post of Bloedel. That pond is so beautiful and the grass around it. It looks almost too perfect to be real?! I really must make it out there someday.

greenwalks said...

How is it possible that I have still not been to Bloedel? Yikes, I need to remedy that! Glad you got to make the trip. How many ferries do you have to take to get there? :)

I have heard that skunk cabbage is being "rebranded" as swamp lantern or swamp lily. I haven't been bothered by its smell, as you say it's kind of pleasant. I found something about it recently that listed its importance to the wetland ecosystem: http://www.rainyside.com/forum_archives/012105SkunkCabbage.html

Can't wait to see more of your pics!