I have dedicated this next year to learning all I can about flowers. Part of my self imposed curriculum is going to see how others are doing it. I want to visit other flower farms as well as go see gardens of all kinds. When I learned that the Oak Harbor Garden Club was hosting their 100 year celebration with self-guided garden tours, I knew I wanted to go and take my mom.
We started the day with delicious breakfast at Calico Cupboard and then on to the first tour. It was a beautiful home overlooking Penn Cove in Coupeville. 
They had the grandest lavender pathway, truly majestic. You could tell Jen’s garden was a labor of love. The next garden was by a man named Albert. His garden was so packed with perennials and annuals it was a great site to see. It made me realize I can fit a lot more plants in my small space, always a good thing 🙂 
The third garden on the tour was an experience. There were great sculptures around the property mixed in the landscape. They had vendors selling goods and tea and cookies! It was a nice time to just relax and enjoy the company of like minded plant people. I also bought a cute little pink Astilble plant that just had to come home to my garden. Now I know what to plant in the shade, more Astilbe!
The next stop on the tour was my favorite, the dream location and set up. Dahl’s Dahlias and Gardens was the home of Heather and Shawn, on their wooded 2.5 acres. They had the cutest little flower stand and shed by the front of their property. Walking to the backyard you walk past the neatest wood shed I’ve ever seen. The backyard was the best, gardens were fenced in white, a greenhouse, fireplace with a hammock, sheds full of tools neatly put away, and chickens in their coop. It was just pure bliss. Maybe someday we will live with a little more room to spread out.. Until then I will make my own little oasis.
The final stop was a lavender farm with the coolest entertainment center: bird and squirrel feeders right off the back patio for hours of fun. To finish off the flower filled day we decided to go to Christianson’s Nursery for their Annual Rosy Day Out Festival. The guest speaker was none other than Ciscoe Morris, talking all about Roses, “Oh la la!” Well that was worth showing up for, what a character! All in all it was a great day with my mom. I learned a lot and did it in a fun way that was memorable. To many more garden tours!
