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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

12th x 12th Part One; A Hidden Community Garden

On June thirteenth, Claudia Riedener (more on her and her fab garden in a later post.) hosted an event called 12th x 12th, a walkable neighborhood tour.  Neighbors were invited to open their gardens to the public, exchange seeds and seedlings and have yard and garage sales.  A map with participating  addresses was provided. This garden wasn't on the list but a gardener whose garden was told me about it.  The story goes that a home was removed from the space (perhaps it had burned?) Concerned about what might happen as far as development of the property in this lovely neighborhood of older homes, a retired dentist in the hood purchased the land and made a garden to honor his recently-deceased wife, and and invited his neighbors to enjoy it.  The dentist still lives across the way from the garden he continues to tend.

Out on the sidewalk.

Turning into the garden.

 Inside the garden, one discovers a dappled shade wonderland.

Crazy azalea can't decide what color to be.  Perhaps they open pink and fade to white? 

Paths meander through a variety of mixed beds. 

Martagon lilies in their glorious prime.

Around each corner is a discovery.



Rhododendrons waiting to b planted. 

At the rear of the space, is a large opening where the neighbor who told me about the garden says neighbors gather for a drink at the end of the day, have picnics, and enjoy themselves.

Following another path back out to the street. 

More treasures. 


There are lots of places to sit and enjoy the garden.

Looking back at the sunny clearing/ play area/ meeting space. 

A bench in the shade.

What a great find and sweet story of a neighborhood garden!  Stay tuned for more of 12th x 12th!

27 comments:

  1. I could wish this was next door to ME! How charming.

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  2. If every neighborhood had a space like this, people would be more neighborly I think. Nice!

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  3. What a cool space! Is this in Tacoma? I never heard of 12th X 12th.

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    1. It is in Tacoma. 12th x 12th was just started this year and I only found out about it from a passerby who struck up a conversation as I was working in the parking strip. Look on facebook as there's a page.

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  4. I think the Azalea may have a couple of 'sport' limbs. Azaleas do that sometimes.

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  5. How nice that they have such a social space!

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  6. This idea is phenomenal, I would happily volunteer my time working in this community garden.
    I love the dappled-shade garden look. Do you know what the gnarly trees shading the azaleas are?

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    1. I think those might be old fruit trees that were probably on the property already. It's a great idea!

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  7. A couple of excellent ideas for taking back (or keeping) our neighborhoods. The Sellwood district here has some of that spirit. All it takes is an energetic someone to spearhead a project. Looking forward to 12th x 12th reportage.

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    1. It's wonderful that this philanthropic man was able to purchase the property and willing to do the work of creating the garden! 12th x 12th was a fab idea and I hope that Claudia and the gang decide to make this an annual event!

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  8. How wonderful to have a community park actually built and supported by the community!

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    1. Things like this warm the cockles of my black little heart!

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  9. Charming garden Peter!
    I loved martagon lilies and shady paths.

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  10. It's a charming garden, but probably needs work, I wonder if the people that come there to relax also help with maintenance. It looks like a really cool and inviting place, mostly shade. I would love to have no grass, just paved paths.

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    1. It's wonderful to get rid of grass! The gardener up the street with whom I spoke said that everyone "pulls a weed from time to time," but the main tending is still done by the dentist.

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  11. What a lovely and generous thing for this man to do.

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  12. Shades of the Wave Garden, Tacoma style? I love it, both this garden and the idea of 12thx12th.

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    1. Yes, the same spirit of the Wave Garden (thanks for the warm memory!) Both ideas are great!

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  13. What a wonderful idea and a wonderful man to create such a garden.I'm sure the neighbourhood are all very grateful to the dentist.

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    1. I agree and do think that the folks in the neighborhood are very gratreful!

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  14. A friend of mine lives down the street from there and just took me to the garden a couple of weeks ago. There was a flower on that azalea that was split down the middle, half pink half white. Wish I could post a pic in the comment. Pretty crazy looking.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.