Lakewold

On Saturday morning we joined some of the members of our NPA neighborhood garden group to tour Lakewold Gardens.

 Tom and I have been there several times before and encouraged our group to go early in the spring so we could see the  Erythroniums in bloom. 

 Since Jill was in the mountains again teaching a Mountaineering class, we had the kids for the day. They weren't too excited about coming along, but I told them I would get them a map of the garden and they could go off on their own. With map in hand, they took off and that was about the last I saw of them.

The garden is a 10 acre estate garden located in Lakewood, south of Tacoma, on the shore of Gravelly Lake. Mature trees line the circle drive and are under planted with big old rhododendrons. 

 And there they are, the Erythroniums!  Commonly known as Fawn Lilies, and in the mountain meadows as Avalanche Lilies, they come in several colors. There were yellow and while ones in other locations, but I forgot to take photos of them. 

 Also in bloom were large patches of cyclamen. 

 And wonderful species rhodies. 

 In front of the house, inside the circular drive, is the flag lawn. 

 The formal parterres near the house were planted with tulips. 

 Down in the glen the Japanese maples were leafing out. I love the new pink leaves!

 There is a wonderful shade garden under a huge fir tree on the edge of the lawn. 

 In it are these wonderful red trillium. 

 Downhill, through tall azaleas and rhodies and specimen trees, we come to the lake. 

 There is so much more to see along the way but I was too busy leading the way and answering questions to take many photos. 

 A corner of the house has formal touches and a knot garden. At the far right is a wisteria covered patio. It would be worth it to return in about three weeks when it is in bloom. 

 A view from the house across the great lawn to the lake. 

As you can see, it was another beautiful day. The kids reported that they had a good time, and saw a squirrel, ducks, and a hummingbird. 

We had a good time too. And then we left the garden group members to do their own thing and we took the kids to IHop, where we all had yummy breakfasts for lunch.