Every once in a while, an email makes me say, "Whoa!" out loud, and all of my coworkers say, "What? What is it??" The email that contained today's photos did that. It was from Bob Bloem, who said, "Hello. This garden is a project of myself, Bob Bloem, and my friend, Claudia Lowry. We live in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, just outside of Spokane, Washington, in the Great Northwest. Although a beautiful part of our country, gardening in this area is quite challenging, with its short growing season and inconsistant seasons. But that actually makes growing more challenging and fun. I have gardened for a long time, while Claudia, while at first reluctant, has been at it for over ten years. We take pride in doing all the work ourselves, whether it is pulling weeds or building furniture for a seating area. Our garden covers close to an acre of sloped, very rocky terrain. But by adding lots of soil and imagination, we have made it into a unique place. As you can see by the photos, we have several seating areas that take advantage of the different moods. We hope you enjoy." I'm sorry Bob, but this is just not enough. We need at LEAST 100 more photos. I know I say that to people every day, but this time I really, really mean it. Gorgeousness. Seriously.
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Comments
Bob and Claudia,these are jaw dropping pictures,you have outdone yourselves and so humble about it too. All of the benches are so artistic and placed in the most perfect position for viewing. I love the copper water feature,that one is so simple and would be fun to see and hear. Artistry is what comes to mind when you see the limbs with the vine and the circle viewing platform,well DONE And I see why Michelle said "whoa"out loud. Please send more photos in so we can view your property from different angles. Pure perfectionismn
Thank you again. We are gathering more pictures.
Claudia & Bob
well, this is a feast so early in the mornings, each photo just gets better and better! it truly is spectacular and will require me to re visit several times to take it all in. such colors, forms and textures,,, structures, those benches! i don't know how you do it all yourselves as it looks like you have a large staff to keep it all groomed. are there no deer there? if so/ how do you prevent damage. Bob and Claudia your garden blows me away every square inch is unbelievable.
So very kind of you. It's only us. We just seem to have a hard time sitting. We do have a deer fence that works most of the time. We did learn the hard way.
Claudia & Bob
Very nice piece of property which you have made even more beautiful.
Thanks
Claudia & Bob
"WHOA!!"..squared. This is absolutely beautiful. Refined while maintaining the element of the natural and wild. I love the topography and how you woven the garden throughout. I'm very impressed with the construction you have accomplished. This garden is a real treat...and I'm sure a retreat for you. Thank you for sharing, but please share a bit more.
It's pretty cool that you noticed the details. Well said, it is our treat and retreat.
Claudia & Bob
An amazing garden! All the garden photos Michelle posts are a treat...but your garden is in a class by itself--artistic & beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Wow! What a compliment. We weren't sure she would even consider our photos.
Claudia & Bob
Well, Bob and Claudia, I won't embarrass myself by childishly writing in all caps but, WOW, (ok, one word in all caps is permissable) what a super stellar place you have created. Obviously, it is a lovely property to start with but your personally built structures and benches are all so unique and beautiful. I was transfixed with admiration and wonder at each picture. Obviously, Idaho grows more than great potatoes!
I would love to know more about the waterfalls. They look so dramatic ..yet natural.
Thank you for your kind words. We work hard to make the waterfalls look natural by using mosses and rocks to cover the man made stuff. It works most of the time :)
Claudia & Bob
Every person below has articulated everything I want to say! Do you have a design background? Could you do an online course? Congratulations on a job well done!
How flattering. We just design what we feel which often changes.
Claudia & Bob
What a lovely property! You should be very proud of your efforts. As mentioned, it deserves the distinction of being a public garden, but I can appreciate you wanting to keep it all to yourselves. I really love the waterfalls and blending in the man made with the natural in your water features. We are still knee deep in snow, with flurries again today. Spring is delinquent this year, but GPOD posts like this has helped us keep some hope that one day we'll be gardening again..
Right now it is hard to believe our garden can be this lush either. The buds are barely appearing. There's hope! :) You are right, it is nice to have a peaceful quiet place.
Thank you for your comments.
Claudia & Bob
Quite amazing. When I looked at the first two pictures, I thought to myself. "There's no way that's water cascading down those rock outcroppings." Obviously I'm wrong. Recirculating pump? Quite a stunning setting. Can you really grow lawn like that anywhere? Please share more and tell us more. How cold does it get there? How long is your short growing season? Really beautiful and a treat to see.
I want to see more too Tim,this is such a beautiful garden I think they should send in day two and day three photos.
And it's in Idaho, no less, Glenda. Seems so exotic. I visited Idaho decades ago and found it breath-taking and now to see this breath-taking garden piques so much curiosity in me. A couple of days of photos and some more info would do me good, especially since winter has decided to invade spring in central Ohio tonight with a lovely 19°!
You are right about the water on the rocks. Water moves from reservoir to reservoir without touching the porous rock. Receycling pumps...9 in all. It isn't so much the cold as the extreem changes of temp that make our growing season short. Thank you for your interest and nice comments. Claudia & Bob
Well, I had to look up your hardiness zones out of curiosity. Fascinating! It must be the mountains and water and elevation changes that make your hardiness map so variable. It said 7a, 6b and 6a. My Ohio map has one zone for miles and miles! I understand the intermountain west weather variability. Although I didn't garden there, I lived in Colorado for five years. The weather along the rockies does has extreme temp changes. You've met the challenge so amazingly well! cheers.
Is that garden on Earth ? Whoa is right !!!!! Guess God makes up for the short growing season with crazy lushness ... Stunning. Astonishing.
You summed it up nicely. :-)
I am working on a book about my experience with Japanese tea ceremony and gardens which include wabi sabi* aesthetics. Your last black and white photo is deeply moving, beautiful and a wonderful example. The fact that you chose to use black and white for that photo tells me that you already know something about wabi sabi if only intuitively.
Although I am only in the research stages, I would like to consider the possibility of including that image in my book giving full credit. Please contact me at [email protected] if that might be a possibility. I totally understand if it is not.
*Here is a lovely essay about wabi sabi with a few photos:
http://www.touchingstone.com/Wabi_Sabi.html
Kathleen, That is a great article. Tim Wong's photography is sublime and the online gallery of pottery and art is wonderful. Best of luck on your book endeavor. There are few aesthetics more beautiful or challenging than Japanese gardens and Japanese art.
I have looked at your pictures over and over and have decided I want to be buried in your garden? Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Me too,can you even believe this,such a very very special place. It would be very enjoyable to visit this garden it is like a real Disneyland for gardeners.
What a nice comparison. If you are in the area do call.
Claudia & Bob
That's very kind of you,if we are ever in your area we would love to see your beautiful property.
Such a great compliment
Claudia & Bob
Words fail me. This garden is in a different league altogether. So worthy of all the admiration expressed in these comments ! Is there a lake I see in the background? The fairy garden is perfection. Even the tree trunks above the concrete bench curve with perfect artistry. Is that a rope swing on a platform built for it ? What is the white flowering shrub to the left of the pergola ? Bob, you've created a masterpiece and now that you are sharing it with us you do have to share more. My only complaint is that I may stop gardening. And I'm too old to start over in Idaho. Thanks anyway !!!!
Thank you for your kind words. The white flower is native to the area and is called Spirea. The tree trunks you mentioned are Sarvice berry, also native. Like many of the native plants we just prune and nuture them. Yes, these are two swings that swing out over the cliff. A favorite of the kids.
Claudia & Bob
There just aren't words ... Whoa out loud.
So kind. Thank you
Claudia & Bob
What so often runs through my mind when attending those beautiful Garden Exibits: "It's just so perfect, too perfect to be realistic." Well now... you have proved me wrong Bob and Claudia! You have accomplished perfection on a grand scale. Bravo! Please tell us more.
WOW! What a kind thing to say. Thank you
Claudia & Bob
Just beautiful. Just the right amount of whimsey, the right amount of colors, textures and shapes, great flow..... great job! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the compliments
Speechless! Thank you for showing us what is possible, Bob and Claudia!
There have been times. Ha Ha! Thak you.
Claudia & Bob
Whoa! Absolutely mesmerizing. GPODer Gardenangel was right about Coeur d Alene. If I ever visit Idaho, this is definitely a must see. Hope you have more photos to share for next week. Bravo!
Call us if you are in the area. We are collecting more photos. Thanks
Claudia & Bob
Amazing and beautiful. Congratulations for creating such an amazing garden in such difficult conditions,
Thanks for recognizing our challenge.
Claudia & Bob
WOW!!!! I love everything about it...the mystery, the mood, the artistry, the stonework, the naturalness, the way you've built it into different levels, your lovely hand-crafted furniture and woodworking, the beautiful photography..... Oh, yes, your lush colorful plants are wonderful, too! It is a unique and masterful use of your property. Please share more with us....MUCH more!
You are perceptive. You have expressed exactly what we were trying to capture.
Claudia & Bob
When can I move in? Beautiful garden of serenity. Double whammy wow.
Appreciate your comments
Claudia & Bob
Holy cow. Just stunning.
Thanks
Claudia & Bob
Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you
Claudia & Bob
What a breathtaking garden and outstanding photography. Thanks for sharing.. from Vancouver WA
You have no idea how I appreciate that. I just have a point & shoot but I try hard. :)
Claudia
Hello Bob & Claudia ~ I have so enjoyed the tour thru your gardens. Everything is so magical, I feel as though I have been transported into another land. All of the structures you have built are just so amazing. It is obvious you really love what you do and have accomplished amazing artistry. The little house like structure in the 7th pic - it looks like you could open the door and step into the woods, is it actually an enclosed structure. Very cute! What a fantastically intriguing place!! Thanks.
Very observant. We wanted a shed but codes wouldn't let us build it, so we built a lattice shed. It does hide our push mower.
Claudia & Bob
Magical! Your garden is truly a work of art. I've just scrolled through the photos (again) and found the little patch of moss on the corner of the rock wall enclosing the green seat - it is just one of your masterful touches. Bob and Claudia, this garden is a work of art. Thank you for allowing us all to visit.
More please!!!!
What a keen eye! Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Claudia & Bob
Whoa indeed! and WOW!! Talk about making the most of a rocky hilly site. This is spectacular - manicured and natural at the same time. Love the waterfalls, the colors, the plantings...just WOW!!
Thank you for noticing the manicure. We try hard. Thank you for your kind words.
Claudia & Bob
Totally amazing. What a special threat this is. You have accomplished so much and it is just fabulous. I do hope you send in more photos and tell us more about what you started with, some of the projects you have done... etc., etc.! So much work... but so much fun and satisfaction!
Thank you. We will gather more pictures. Most of the grass was here other than that we started from scratch a little bit at a time. You are right... a lot of fun and satisfaction.
Claudia & Bob
Well... Soon I'll send in my garden pics - not that I've discovered a secret weapon for lushness. I've complained often of the effects of the 3 enormous pin oaks & their devastating effects on my garden. But.. ( btw- never heard it ANYWHERE before- ) EPSOM SALTS, baby !!!! ( found a vid on YouTube that recommended ) The difference it made in 3 days was astonishing.
All I can say is.....Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Claudia & Bob
Thank you so much for your appreciation. That's what makes it fun.
Claudia & Bob
wow...I have no words...absolutely breathtaking!!! stunning in some places, adorable in others...wish it was mine!! xo
A work of art! Which variety is the blue petunia?
I feel like I fell down the rabbit hole and dropped into heaven - it's magnificent in every way and many ways!
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