In the Fort Ward district of Bainbridge Island is a garden filled with history. In 1973, a property became available that had once been a Fort Ward warehouse. Liz Robinson and her husband, Peter, were living in a farmhouse they had renovated on the island. Their children were now adults. Presented with this opportunity and up for a challenge, they bought the property and relocated to Fort Ward. The warehouse was surrounded by a gravel lot, filled with blackberries and scotch broom. As Peter began work to transform the warehouse into a one-of-a-kind dwelling, Liz began her work to create a one-of-a-kind garden.
The house is truly unique, demonstrating the designer’s eye and crafter’s skill. The exterior is a bold and fresh butternut color, with the original doors painted paprika red. The slate roof of the warehouse adds to the Old World feel. The boldly colored building accents the creative style in the garden. Liz Robinson lost her husband a short time ago but is surrounded by the joy of kind memories. His craftsmanship is everywhere.
The eye and skill represented in the house continue as you step outdoors. The garden presents the vibe you might experience at a European country house, well managed but with a strong sense of freedom. The yard is an open and sunny spot for a variety of flowers and shrubs, and the trees are placed effectively for structure and shade. A geranium finds its place in a shaded nook created by taller plants. Columbines pop up in little gaps, as do foxgloves and other self-sowers. Robinson lets them stay.
The garden beds are shaped to follow the terrain, and lawn is used as pathways between the plantings. There is very little earth visible in this garden, as every square foot appears to be covered with a growing plant. The plants seem to take advantage of any free spot, yet Robinson says, “It’s amazing how you can make room.” And she does find room for new treasures discovered at nearby nurseries.
Red poppies and hot pink roses are contrasted by chartreuse shrub foliage. Lavender and creamy-white sweet peas scramble over and between gentle pink and white spirea. Clematis pop up in surprising places. Delphinium stalks raise their hand like schoolchildren eager to be called upon. Color surprises are everywhere.
When asked about her favorite color to use in the garden, Robinson responds, “All colors go because they love each other. It’s like an Oriental rug.” The love shows — and it’s a gorgeous carpet.
Somehow, Robinson has managed to skillfully place more than 120 roses in this relatively small lot. They climb and ramble over hydrangeas as well as trellis structures. Small, light pink blooms from one spill out over the edge of a pathway. A large, peachy rose stands tall, proudly showing everyone what it can do.
Magenta shrub roses stand out against adjacent lemon-lime colored bush. Obediently, a climber relaxes on an arbor. Yellow roses shine brightly, not to be outdone by the flower-laden rugosas. There is no competition here, but a glad and happy cooperation, a camaraderie.
Many of the plants in the garden beds show vertical height, often enhanced by simple, wood lattice trellises built by Robinson’s husband. In addition to acting as supports for climbing and sprawling plants, these structures create the feeling of a wall, yet allow the viewer to see beyond, as through a window.
Robinson utilizes metal trellises and arbors created by her daughter and her son-in-law. A variety of containers are used, including old metal tins and crockery. Many planters are elevated, bringing the color subject up from the ground.
While many walking areas are lawn, brick is also used for pathways and a spacious patio. Just outside the kitchen door is a sitting area with table and chairs, an invitation to bring out your cup, glass or plate and sit to take some time to just view.
An elevated rockery borders part of the patio, home to a white bark birch. Robinson was wise to place it here, where it provides cool shade on a warm day. Several blueberry plants grow at the edge of the patio, convenient for a snack. A border of roses and shrubs with height forms a half-wall, creating a comfortable, protected space.
Colorful and lightweight Adirondack-style chairs are easy to move as the sunlight does. A bright turquoise chair can relocate in front of the magenta peonies. A red chair finds a spot by the white hydrangeas.
Along the side of the house, a curved box hedge borders the brick walkway. Robinson brought these plants from the previous garden when they were just 2 feet tall. Now this lovely hedge is nearly 5 feet tall, enough to guide you along yet short enough to see over.
The curved box hedge leads you to Robinson’s “secret garden” wall at the edge of the property. The 6-foot wall was constructed of concrete blocks, then overlaid with cement. Robinson chiseled bricks to create thin slabs, which were inlaid into the cement overlay. The effect is quite special, with small sections of the brick façade visible, as if the wall had been torn down and then repaired. Mossy and shady, this is truly a special spot in the garden. Several small mirrors are hung on the wall, as is a terra cotta, sconce-style pot filled with succulents.
A garden shed, built for Liz by Peter, mimics the same warm colors as the house but with a rich green door. On the door hangs a sign facetiously declaring “GO AWAY” in a vain attempt.
Robinson speaks of a garden mistake she feels she made. The white bark of a birch tree brightens a shadier spot in the garden, but twigs and debris drop onto the brickwork pathway beneath. Perhaps this is a nuisance, but the flickering light created as sunlight filters through the branches presents a lovely sense of movement in this spot.
For 29 years, this garden has been developed and cared for by Robinson, who will be 90 years old next year. She does the lion’s share of the work in this garden, including the design, planting and deadheading. Watering is done by hose and hand, as there is no automated irrigation. She mows her own lawn. Only the heavy pruning and similar tasks require assistance from others. This garden is a labor of love for her, as well as a treasury filled with memories.
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