Kala Point Garden Tour
Written by Frances L.
Morning mist swirled around massive Douglas-fir, shaggy western red cedar and leaning, peeling madrone at Kala Point, as ten of us gathered on August 6 to begin our tour of gardens. We squeezed into two cars and by the time we reached Betty’s garden (Betty P. is a Master Gardener who lives at Kala Point) the mist had dissipated and sunshine showcased her glorious display of dahlias, lavender and lilies. And it was hot!
Once a year Kala Point, a residential community seven miles south of Port Townsend, hosts a Garden Tour for residents and their guests. This year, Sharon G, Frances L, and Betty P, invited Master Gardeners to view seven of our gorgeous gardens.
Kala Point is mostly in the trees. CC&Rs protect these trees, educate about the eroding bluff, encourage residents to avoid lawns and fences, and to choose plants adapted to our climate and conditions. And we have our own microclimates. Some homes are deep in the Hansel and Gretel forest with salal, evergreen huckleberry and lush, primeval sword fern, which blends into Fort Townsend State Park, and home to haunting howling coyotes — and there have been “bear sightings”. All our gardens have too many deer coming for breakfast, but we all coexist.
Other homes are perched on the bluff in the sunshine with expansive views across Port Townsend Bay towards Whidbey Island, Indian Island and the Cascades. When the “mountains are out” at dawn, Mount Baker looms like a majestic, white-robed God with primrose-pink suffusing the sky behind.
Many of the gardens on the tour this year were located on the bluff. We admired those coveted views from decks and patios. And what a profusion of blooms, and hues — purples, oranges, yellows, blues, scarlets – perhaps the entire artist’s color palette! Crocosmia emerged from tall green sheaths, like poised insects. Delicate fuchsias bloomed amongst giant hydrangea globes. Black-eyed Susan swarmed across some beds along with kaleidoscope crowds of dahlia.
Speaking of the color palette, these gardeners are clearly artists too. Diane S’s garden, which I’ve admired from the front many times, has pathways winding around the back. Her stepping-stones and a table are created from broken plates. Many of gardens had innovative art hidden in the bushes or sprouting between plantings.
Two of the seven gardens were nestled in the forest. Nancy and Michael M’s garden featured a beautiful patio, carefully chosen trees and shrubs and a serene ambience. Jeffrey H’s woodland garden displayed his intriguing, driftwood fish-art. What wonderful talent we have in our community.
After the Garden Tour, we returned to my home (with a garden nowhere near ready to be on any tour!) for lunch and a great opportunity to visit and get to know fellow MGs. Many thanks to Sharon G. Betty P. and Jill for helping to organize.
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