Soos Creek Botanical Garden is the work of two men, Maurice Skagen and his partner James Daly. The 22-acre garden was originally part of 200 acres that Maurice Skagen's Norwegian immigrant ancestors purchased between 1891 and 1905. In 1968, when Maurice's parents deeded 5 acres to him, there was nothing here other than native trees and plant life such as Douglas firs, western red cedars, hemlocks, vine maples, big leaf maples, and native perennials, ranging from trilliums to skunk cabbage along the creek. Eventually Maurice was inspired by trips to England and Japan to create strolling gardens on the property. The garden has been open to the public since July, 2011.
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| A hops vine covers the welcome sign |
There is a plant sale area next to the entrance, with borders full of sunflowers and Dahlias blooming nearby. The garden is open for plant sales the first Friday and Saturday in June and again on the first Saturday in October, as well as Saturdays from June to September.
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| Maurice working in the plant sales area |
The garden is divided into several different rooms or areas, starting with the Heritage Flower Garden just inside the fence. I passed it on my way to the parking area, which is near the plant sales area, and walked back up to check it out.
Passages in quotes come from the Soos Creek Botanical Garden website.
The Heritage Flower Garden
"The Heritage Flower Garden was inspired by Aunt Nettie's flower garden which was full of shared plants from friends and neighbors. Roses are in abundance, many are heritage climbing varieties. Among the roses are peonies, heathers, irises and various perennials. The backdrop to this garden includes many fruit and ornamental trees. Look for Magnolia 'Elizabeth' with yellow blossoms, blooming in the spring. An old growth Douglas fir tree stands like a citadel over this garden."
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| That leaf on the right was the size of an easy chair. I could have wrapped myself up in it like a big burrito -- a big, very prickly burrito. |
The Elizabeth Fenzl Garden Room
"As you move along the path to the Elizabeth Fenzl Garden Room, notice the tree peonies, umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata), Eucriphia and the mature Catalpa. This garden room has a feeling of enclosure, a quiet retreat for relaxed sitting. Many hardy Fuchsias as well as some unusual shrubs and trees including Parrotia persica, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), make up the walls of this garden. Wonderful old 'Nelly Moser' clematis scrambles up a Rainier Cherry. Surrounding the house are many established plantings such as rhododendron 'Cynthia', climbing hydrangea, Aucuba japonica, magnolias, azaleas, and many more flowering trees."
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| Look at the colors in this mophead Hydrangea! |
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| So fabulous! |
There was a large variety of roses flaunting their hips throughout the gardens.
Fuchsias galore too.
Vegetable Demonstration Garden
"A large vegetable demonstration garden has been developed. The garden incorporates raised vegetable beds with paths 6-foot wide. Fig, apple, and Italian plum trees have been planted, and along the perimeter beds are blueberries, raspberries, aronia berry, rhubarb, corn, beans, squash, and more."
The garden donates most of its produce to help the local food bank. I did manage to blag one of its enormous Ailsa Craig onions, which was so large Nigel threatened to carve it up like a Jack O'Lantern.
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| Scarlet runner beans |
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| Huge patch of squash and pumpkins |
Schaefer Pond Garden
"The Pond Garden showcases many moisture loving plants, including water lilies, gunnera and umbrella plant (Darmera peltata) which blooms on bare stalks in spring. Look for the lions head maple at the south end of the pond. Along with ducks one can always find a reflection or two floating on the pond."
The building in these pictures is the Soos Creek Heritage Center, where early photos, historical maps, and newspaper articles about the farming life of the early settlers on the Soos Creek plateau are displayed.
Carlmas Long Borders
"Continuing down the incline are two opposing mixed borders which extend down the slope approximately 500 feet. The focus here is one of color and flows from cool to bright, sunny tones. The use of opposite borders was inspired by garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. A favorite specimen of visitors is the banana tree located near the top of the north border, which can reach 15-feet high each year before frost. Each fall it is carefully wrapped for winter securing it for the promise of spring. As you proceed down the kaleidoscope of color along the south path be watching for the spectacular snake bark maple, another favorite of guests. Other interesting plantings include deciduous azaleas, wingthorn rose (Rosa sericea), tamarisk tree, golden ninebark (Physocarpus), and Moroccan broom (Cytisus battandieri)."
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| More bright red rose hips |
Oie Native Woodland
"Just as you would expect, this area is truly woodland, devoted to native plants, such as bleeding heart, trillium, twin flower, fringe cup, licorice fern, sword fern, and more."
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| The color on these oakleaf Hydranges was so pretty! Mine never get this pink. |
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| Another gorgeous mophead Hydrangea |
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| These colors just might steal my heart |
The garden is currently open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The garden is closed from mid-November to mid-March. There is no entrance fee although donations are appreciated. Docent-led tours are available, take about 90 minutes, must be scheduled ahead of time, and cost $3 per person, with a minimum of $25.
For more background on the Soos Creek Botanical Garden, here are some interesting articles.
A Life's Masterpiece at Soos Creek Botanical Garden
Soos Creek Botanical Garden welcomes you
Grand garden for all: Partnership's hard work yields botanical paradise in Auburn