Soos Creek Botanical Garden

Our final stop on the garden tour was the Soos Creek Botanical Garden in Auburn, Washington. I had never heard of this place and it was spectacular. This garden has only been open to the public for ten years. I do not remember the man's name who created it but he is in his 90s now and still lives in the house on the property. Our tour guide said that he learned many of his gardening techniques and design principles in Europe.

The entrance to the gardens was a huge arch covered by the Golden Hops vine. Before we entered the gates, a dazzling display of dahlias were mass planted next to a nursery that is open on weekends.

And a touch of the whimsical - these clothes ornaments are made of metal -

 

Entering the garden area, I was impressed with the size of the hydrangeas. They were huge and so healthy looking -

 

 

 

 

 A wide vista of a large man-made pond awaits - 

 

The property slopes downhill to a wooded area with a gravel path that takes you down and then back up on the opposite side -

Back up to our starting point and a lunch overlooking the pond. A gorgeous garden and one that I want to visit again.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy