Back to Demonstration Gardens
Garden construction and maintenance funded through the generosity of longtime supporters of horticulture, Orin & Althea Soest. Plants donated by Molbak's and T & L Nursery. Garden design by Michaela Groeblacher.
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Hosta 'June'
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The Soest Herbaceous Display Garden opened to the public in 1998 thanks to the generosity of Orin and Althea Soest. The garden was created to help local gardeners select plants appropriate to a variety of site conditions commonly found in Pacific Northwest urban gardens. This garden features over 280 kinds of herbaceous (non-woody) plants that include perennials, annuals, and bulbs. Many of the perennials in the garden attract birds and beneficial insects such as butterflies. Enjoy your time in the garden! The garden demonstrates how soil and light affect plant growth and health. The eight raised beds consist of either a sandy loam or a clay loam soil texture representative of common urban soils. The use of small trees in beds demonstrates how certain plants perform in partial shade versus full sun. Irrigation is applied using “water-wise” techniques to avoid wasteful runoff and evaporation. Making decisions based upon your garden’s soil type, sun/shade regime and irrigation practices will give plants the best chance to thrive. A garden changes dynamically with the seasons and over time. At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG), we consistently evaluate plant performance. Cultivars that are too aggressive here are replaced by others that will grow in the Soest Garden. A premier garden at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens attracting hundreds of visitors each year, the Soest Garden is both an outdoor classroom as well as an outdoor room that invites one to stop and relax. To learn more about plants and gardening, visit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library or tour the UWBG web site for information on classes offered to the gardening public. |
Update from the Soest Gardener, Riz ReyesThis year has been just flying by. With a cold and wet spring setting plants back a few weeks, sudden record breaking temperatures in May caused a burst of new growth that’s both exciting and strenuous. Watering suddenly becomes a priority as we scramble to fix the irrigation system and catch up with the surge of weeds appearing almost overnight on top of the rich compost.
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April
2005 Handout(pdf) |
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