Photos: West Seattle Garden Tour, ‘July showers bring August flowers’

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1:22 PM: At least, that’s how we’re looking at it, as the West Seattle Garden Tour continues till 5 pm. We just dropped in on the “Whirligig Garden” tour stop near Schmitz Park, lots of visitors, some with umbrellas, more without. What’s perfect about this particular stop, on this particular (rainy) day, is that it’s a garden making good use of rainwater:

At the back of the shot is a 1,000-plus-gallon cistern that holds rainwater for reuse in the garden, which has many beautiful touches – note this perfect squash blossom, encircled by creative stepping-stones:

This is just one of ten stops. They’re all in the ticket book (check West Seattle Nursery and TrueValue to see if they have any left), which you show to the volunteers manning an information table outside each stop (under an umbrella, which MOST years is needed for sun – we’ve heard this is the first rainy July 17th in 34 years!). We’re proud to be a co-sponsor again this year; WSGT proceeds benefit eight local nonprofits.

ADDED 5:17 PM: Brad Lovejoy shared four photos from along the tour:

The other three, after the jump (and if you have a Garden Tour photo to share, we’d be honored to add it – editor@westseattleblog.com – 9:58 PM, added more – MON. AFTERNOON, added even more, thanks for sharing!):

An even-closer look at a flower:

The rain, of course, has its own beauty:

And garden decorations are always a delight at tour stops:

Thanks again to Brad Lovejoy for the preceding four photos!

ADDED 9:58 PM: Mary Sheely shares some of her photos, capturing more of the whimsy you’ll find along with the beauty – these first three were from the Gabion Garden:

And from the Outrageous Waterfront Garden:

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Thanks to Bruce G. for this photo from the Colman estate in Fauntleroy:

And Tina Doherty shared a beautiful rain-kissed-dahlia closeup:

It won’t be long till the tour organizers start choosing the stops for next year – if you have a garden to suggest, find the form here.

Jasperblu July 17, 2011 (2:36 pm)

I had such high hopes for sunbreaks (at least). Alas, I’ve yet to leave my house for a single garden on the tour. Just not good enough light for photos today. And I’m sick of being wet. :(

Karen Lyons July 17, 2011 (5:01 pm)

I worked as a tour guide for the Tagney-Jones Estate on the West Seattle Garden tour. We had a great turn out for a rainy day! Spent the whole day answering questions and directing traffic. Added bonus, we had a host cat who insisted on greeting every visitor even though she was getting soaked in the rain!

gardenbug July 17, 2011 (5:02 pm)

The brick Tudors on Fauntleroy (four of them) had wonderful gardens!!!

westseattledood July 17, 2011 (6:32 pm)

I have cistern envy.

Mary T July 17, 2011 (6:40 pm)

It didn’t rain that hard. We loved it! Fun to see a beachfront garden and our favorite was the yard with the mini trailer retreat. I’ll be sending some photos in shortly!

iggy July 17, 2011 (6:46 pm)

Was lovely even in the gentle rain. As Karen Lyons points out. The host cat (a sweet, friendly black and white) greeted us and didn’t mind the rain at all!!

Laurie July 17, 2011 (6:59 pm)

I have “cistern envy” too!

Dianne July 17, 2011 (7:07 pm)

I loved Joan’s garden at Fauntleroy and it was a treat to see the Coleman Estate grounds. Didn’t make it to those north of the junction. It poured about then and we gave in to it.

good garden show, and lovely, lovely flowers and use of space. Great ideas for everyone, I’d say.

Thank you to the gardeners and those volunteers who stuck it out in the rain.

Michelle July 17, 2011 (7:39 pm)

Rain, what rain :) We visited every garden today, yet it is still a treat to see photos from the event. It’s great to see the tour through other people’s eyes. Love the water feature photo. Great perspective. This was our first Garden Tour and well worth the $15 per head. For 8 hours of entertainment, it was cheaper than an afternoon at the movies. And yes, we have cistern envy too :)