This month brings with it a very special occasion for the Orin and Althea Soest Perennial Display Garden here at the Center for Urban Horticulture. On September 10, we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the garden!
Our humble celebration was held here surrounding the fountain with over 30 guests attending. The weather was absolutely perfect as the beds seemed to perk up with the diverse array of flowers in full bloom. The Brugmansia in the containers were open, but it was too early in the day to fully appreciate them with their nocturnal perfume. Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm' is looking absolutely fabulous right now with the most intense deep yellow you'll ever see in the landscape.
Surrounded by the Dean of Forest Resources, Bruce Bare, Interim Director Sandra Leir, faculty, staff and friends of the garden, Orin and Ally were in great spirits to see the tremendous admiration of the garden that bears their name. Almost everyone was in disbelief that it's already been ten years since the garden was first installed.
Also in attendance were the three former Soest gardeners. Here we are in between Beds 2 and 3.
Photo of Soest Gardeners (Photo credit Barbara Selemon)
(L-R) Me, Lynne Thompson, who now works as the Coordinator for the Great Plant Picks Program at the Miller Botanical Gardens in North Seattle, Gabriel LaValle, who has her own landscape and garden maintenance company and is an advocate for organic gardening, and Lisa King, who took on a full time position with the grounds crew of Children's Hospital.
It was so much fun catching up with them and sharing our experiences working in the garden.
Getting to know the Soests has been an honor and a real pleasure. They are such wonderful people to know; to chat with them is like chatting with a long time friend or a family member.
Photo of Soests and Riz. (Photo credit Elizabeth Loudon)
I feel so privileged working in these gardens. After meeting them for the very first time last year, I felt so committed to improve and promote this garden and to take it to another level. With a diverse selection of new plants that have been included and with a brand new Audio Tour coming soon for visitors to use, it will just continue to evolve and impress those who visit UWBG. Congratulations to the Soest and an electronic toast to another ten years!
September is all about enjoying the garden and anticipating the busy fall season. Do come by and witness the early fall landscapes here at CUH!
Cheers,
Riz