Quilt Garden in Mukilteo...Texture, Color, and Inspiration

I gave a talk last week for the Mukilteo Way Garden Club at the Rosehill Community Center perched high on the hill above the Mukilteo ferry dock. If you haven't seen this stunning new public building, designed by Seattle's ARC Architects, it alone is worth the drive north.

And while you're there, be sure and check out the prettiest parking lot planting you're likely to find - a quilt garden by the Mukilteo Garden Club, honoring the synergy between quilters and gardeners.

The quilt's border is a silvery hedge of closely clipped curry plant (Helichrysum italicum). Curry doesn't really come from this fragrant little shrub, but the foliage sure smells like it. I've never seen it used as a hedging plant before, and it really looks its best clipped like this...

(Image above courtesy of Char Hogan)

The quilt garden combines a variety of plants for color and texture - sedum, fibrous begonias, black mondo grass. It's a lovely greeting for visitors, and its location couldn't be better - it softens an expanse of parking lot opposite the front door of the community center. Thanks to Mukilteo Way Garden Club for inviting me, for selling so many copies of petal & twig, and for being such a welcoming and lively group....