A NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN WALK -

Photos & Text by Lorelie Olson

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” as Mr. Rogers used to say. On this sunny April afternoon we invite you to take a walk with us to view the spring color in several Northwest Everett Gardens.

OUR FRONT GARDEN

We leave our front garden heading south toward Grand Avenue Park.

GRAND AVENUE PARK

At the entrance to the park we are momentarily distracted by our new bridge, walkway, and elevator leading to the marina below; we’ll go that way another time! Continuing our way south on Grand Avenue we enjoy the blooming trees in the park framing the traditional homes across the street.

CLOSER GARDEN VIEWS

We cross to the east side of Grand Avenue for a closer look at garden color. Curved beds line the groomed lawns, featuring magnolia trees, heather , daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths.

Rucker Avenue Gardens

As we round the corner leading to Rucker Avenue we can see the fresh red leaves of a maple, contrasting with fading pink Magnolia blossoms across the street. We are entranced by all the colorful ground covers in Rucker avenue gardens; purple heathers and violets and blue lobelia with early wallflowers and azaleas under gnarled old trees.

From Rucker to Grand Avenue

Our Garden

Crossing our street corner gives us a view of the camellia blooming just north of our house; I’ll cut a bouquet later this week! We decide to end the garden walk today by checking on our back garden overlooking the harbor. Our forsythia is a great yellow “bouquet”, the neighboring candy tuft a white mound of tiny flowers, and the “President Roosevelt” rhododendron is just beginning to bloom.