Pacific Northwest Icons: by David & Kate Dickerson
This garden includes an extensive collection of Rhododendrons, perennials, and trees. There are many hundreds of Rhododendrons, both species and hybrids, collected from nurseries and friends throughout the Pacific Northwest. You can also see the results of a four-year hybridizing program including new plants from each of the years. If you are interested, the Dickersons will be pleased to talk to you about them. The garden also includes extensive hardscaping (using over 100 tons of rock brought from Montana and more from the Anacortes area) that forms planting tiers, a fireplace, walkways, patios, and other features. The perennials that are diminished by the cold weather seem to come alive just as the Rhododendrons are finished blooming. There are other interesting elements to look for including a 25' totem pole carved by Kate Dickerson over three summers, a whimsical birdhouse, and Kate's art studio (formerly Dave's storage facility). The extent of the plantings might seem to have created a mind boggling series of recurring chores but the Dickersons have made caring for the garden less burdenson, except from mid-April to June when they prefer working there to any other place on earth! Photos courtesy of David Dickerson.