Continuing on about the gardens seen in Seattle during the Garden Bloggers Fling of 2011, the afternoon of day one found the intrepid travelers marching from the buses into a private community that was home to the Dunn Estate for lunch, door prizes and garden gazing. Click here to find out more information about the history of the Dunn Estate.
Marsha’s Balls, set along the side gardens beside a paved patio, caught my eye. Both the large concrete orbs and the colorful tree necklace were delightful. I am curious about the necklace, does anyone know what those balls are made from?
Out in the landscaped spaces, this Japanese iris called us over for a closer look. It is not possible to grow these beauties on my dry slope, so seeing them was a treat.
Speaking with the docent as we were walking back to the main building, she told how the Rhododendrons at Dunn were being attacked by a disease, but this one with the glaucous covering seemed to be immune, so far. She thought it was the veil of white that was offering the protection. That makes sense.
Nearly every garden we visited had some glass sculpture displayed artfully. Sometimes it was even hard to tell what was the living plant and what was glass. It was wondered if these glass pieces were in danger from falling limbs during a storm, that would be a worry to me with such delicate and expensive art. But I might have made a purchase anyway…more to come about that later.
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Other Seattle Fling posts:
Lost Secret In The Bloedel Reserve
Art And Artful In Seattle-Birrell And Tucker Gardens
Art Of Seattle 2011 Fling-Day 2
Seattle Fling 2011 Day 3-Onward
Seattle Fling 2011-Grand Finale
Frances
Fairegarden 
Envy envy envy. How I wish I could drop everything (of which there is too much anyway) and go garden-visiting!!!
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Thank you for sharing these pictures. It seems that each of us saw something different in every garden we visited. I missed seeing some of this art.
Dear Frances, I totally missed that woodpecker! it is so cool. But, I saw the spheres and hanging ‘balls’ and knew immediately that I wanted them in my garden! The glass was and remains terrible attractive, but, like you I am concerned about breakage…I really don’t want to worry every time we have a thunderstorm! I think I remember rain! xxoogail
A “tree necklace” sounds so romantic. When I first looked at the picture I thought they were dried gourds strung together. Obviously I was wrong if you don’t know what they were. Love seeing pictures of the sculptures. I am with you regarding worrying about the limbs coming down during storms breaking glass sculptures. I worry about a glass globe being broken. I often bring it in during winter just because there seems to be more storms during winter and the glass is even more fragile when frozen. Love that carving of the kingfisher though. Wouldnt that be fun to have in the garden. The cat picture is sweet. I just like all your photos. Have a great weekend.
Just lovely, such beautiful sculptures. These gardens show how much some art in the garden can add to the beauty,
Eileen
Frances…tree necklace….very innovative..are they made from wood? Also I liked the blue glass sculpture in the last picture..they looked so real ..and goes well with the leaves itself ..what a great idea…
..thanks for sharing
You found some neat details that I overlooked, and the shot of the cat is wonderful.
When I saw the glass art, I kept thinking about the hail I receive. I don’t know. It’s like the greenhouse. Hail is a spring and fall worry here.
Your photo of the cat lapping at the water is priceless. Beautiful job.~~Dee
Great capture on the cat, Frances. That glass yucca was so hard to photograph, I think you’ve done a great job. But nothing beats being there. We’ve had a lot to process from the Fling! Did you like my picture of you and Semi?
Dale Chihuly is located in Washington, so the whole state is glass-mad and the frenzy has even trickled down into Oregon. Nothing can match it for ephemeral beauty, but the “ephemeral” part includes the occasional breakage…not for the likes of clumsy me.
You did get to see some lovely art. Were the balls felt? Surely you touched one. I couldn’t have resisted. What were they like?
nellie
Frances, what a delightful post about art and gardens! Your incredible photos make it so clear that art can enhance a garden in a great way and that the garden on the other hand can provide the right backdrop for the art to really stand out. I love the last picture with the blue glass “leaves”. My own garden does not contain any art so far, but I would love to change that. Just looking for the right piece in the price range that I can afford. Thanks for this inspirational post!
Christina
Love all the art and sculptures that you saw on your trip, sounds as if you all had a wonderful time. I think that art in a garden can enhance the planting, but it has to be carefully done and not detract from the plants around it. What you have shown us is beautiful, put together by a talented person, thanks for sharing.
The Dunn gardens, looks like just the sort of place where I would like to spend a day, your pictures are exquisite. Seattle! now isn’t that the rain city, I would be right at home there.
Frances, I’ve been gone for a little while, and have finally had some time this morning to catch up on your previous posts. It was so much fun seeing all the sights of Seattle through your eyes–your photos are just as much works of art as the objects you’ve captured here. I did have to stop and read more carefully the post on weeding volunteers–now, that is something I need to learn more about! I’ve pulled out poppies before I knew what they were and have allowed some nasty weeds to grow, thinking they were some wanted plant:)
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