Nancy and Barb's gardens

There are so many prolific gardeners in the Pacific Northwest, and I was fortunate to stay with one of them for two weeks on my visit to Gig Harbor. Nancy is a Master Gardener who has also been on the Gig Harbor Garden Tour. It was a delight to be surrounded by her lush gardens morning, noon and night!

As soon as you approach her front door, you know a gardener lives there.

Her little dog, Charlie, guards us against the squirrels that raid the bird feeders in the back yard.

Peaceful sitting spots are tucked in here and there, so you can find either sun or shade for relaxing most times of the day.

Scones, fruit and coffee are enjoyed on the back patio.

She also has a lot of whimsical garden art.

One of my favorite features is the waterfall by the back patio, which creates such a relaxing sound. I'm going to have to get one for my back yard.

Her artist's eye has painted the garden with many shades of green ...

... and all other colors of the rainbow.

The hydrangeas were in bloom for my visit, and she has every shade from lavender to pale pink, hot pink, white, creamy lime and deep blue.

This next plant, an oxalis, has striking leaves that are almost black.

And she picked this lovely bouquet for my room.

We also spent a day with gardening friend Barb, who is peeking out from behind her lush blue hydrangeas. Besides giving us a tour of her gardens, she served us a delicious blueberry cobbler and fruit platter with good, strong coffee, and later an herbal iced tea with mint from her garden.

Barb is also a potter, and she built this studio in her backyard where she turns out nature inspired pottery for sale.

She tucks little surprises from her studio around her garden, like this leaf plate. She also has coordinated the artists who display work during the Gig Harbor Garden Tour.

This funny little face on a tree is by another clay artist.

Like Nancy, she has lovely sitting areas surrounded by plants.

I'm including this next shot of what appears to be lush green grass, but it's actually moss! Remember, this is in the Pacific Northwest where moss and rain reign supreme.

Here are some of the tall, tall Northwest evergreens in her yard.

I got together with these two talented gardeners for a walk through the woods while I was in Gig Harbor. That's Nancy on the left and Barb in the middle. What a treat!

Have a colorful day