Next-door gardening neighbors at Puget Sound Fling
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01_Fenced_vegetable_garden.jpg)
As we rolled into co-planner Camille Paulsen‘s Puyallup, Washington, neighborhood at the Puget Sound Fling last month, my bus was invited to tour a couple of her neighbors’ gardens while the other busload of Flingers worked their way into Camille’s garden first. I was charmed that Camille’s neighbors were willing to host us in their gardens as well. What a great gardening neighborhood!
Sage-Richards Garden
I started at the home of Erica Sage and Aaron Richards, where a fenced vegetable garden (above) takes advantage of a sunny and level spot. From there, the garden drops down into the shady backyard.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/04_Waterfall_shade_garden.jpg)
A waterfall spills down a ferny slope…
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/05_Stone_bench_Pond.jpg)
…into a reflective pool. A stone bench beside the pond offers a cool spot to enjoy the water…
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/03_Bell_and_stream.jpg)
…and a temple bell.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/06_Laura_Wills_Janet_Davis.jpg)
I spotted Laura Wills from Wisconsin and Janet Davis from Ontario taking a rest here.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/07_Shade_garden_rocks.jpg)
Lushly planted and peaceful…
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/08_Japanese_maple_leaves.jpg)
…with light-catching Japanese maples.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/02_Japanese_maple.jpg)
One more maple. Up on the deck…
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/09_View_Mount_Rainier.jpg)
…you catch a great view of regal Mount Rainier.
A gardening neighbor
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01_Front_yard_bench.jpg)
Next door, a shapely Japanese maple frames a bench by the front porch.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/02_Bench_Japanese_maple.jpg)
A lovely welcome
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/04_Japanese_maple_stone_wall.jpg)
Another Japanese maple adds shaggy texture in a terraced bed.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/03_Japanese_maple.jpg)
And another holds court in the front beds.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/07_Buddha_carving_Potted_plant.jpg)
A carved Buddha and stone vessels draw the eye along a path.
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/08_Patio_bench_ferns.jpg)
A circular patio offers a pleasant spot to sit, with more seating above on the deck…
![](https://www.penick.net/digging/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/09_View_Mount_Rainier-1.jpg)
…where once again there’s a stunning mountain view.
Up next: Fling co-planner Camille Paulsen’s glorious garden. For a look back at nursery stop VanLierop Garden Market, click here.
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Always a wonderful thing when the neighborhood gets in on the gardening action. We enjoyed visiting both of them.
Completely agree, Jerry. Camille’s neighborhood looks like a great gardening community.