From Our Backyard to Yours
8/8/2020 — Welcome to this week’s “virtual visit” to Bloedel Reserve.
Nature & Well-Being:
Register for Fall Strolls for Well-Being
We’re back — with a newly restructured version of our popular onsite Strolls for Well-being program. Participants can now attend an orientation session remotely using Zoom, then take their strolls onsite at the Reserve at their own pace. This program is free of charge but space is limited. For details and to register for a Fall session, click here.
Conservation & Stewardship:
At the Water’s Edge
You may not realize it when you first arrive, but Bloedel Reserve is a waterfront property that actually borders the Puget Sound. Learn more about its spectacular views and how Bloedel Reserve is partnering with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund to protect the water we love.
Creativity & Inspiration:
Laura Foster Nicholson
Textile artist Laura Foster Nicholson was a Creative Resident at Bloedel Reserve in 2016. Here she shares some thoughts about her stay, as well as some of the designs that resulted.
She writes:
I had a fabulous time in my three weeks at Bloedel. I had hit a low in my creative stream and had been struggling with what to do next. Arriving in the woods at the beginning of October (2016), with pumpkins and gourds covering fallen tree roots and mushrooms springing up everywhere, all the while the eyes of the Alder trees keeping watch over me, I felt a safety to draw and dream. Quite unlike my usual motivated studio practice of weaving tapestry series. I felt I was drifting in a very wonderful, loose direction. While I was there, Andy (??) of the grounds team led a tour of mushroom hunting with tales of wonder, and that gave my reflections a slightly phantasmagorical twist. I collected and dried edible mushrooms in the oven at the house, and brought them home for a long lingering scent of the woods.
I attach a very few images for now, of some of the drawings and later artworks I produced based on my experiences. I hope to return one day.
To learn more about Laura Foster Nicholson, click here.
Horticulture & Design:
August Plant of the Month
Nymans Eucryphia is a late summer bloomer. Horticulture & Grounds Associate Sean Petersen provides more details about this August plant pick.
Missed a Week? Want to See More?
You’ll find links to all of our Backyard “back issues” here.
Ask Us
Is there something about Bloedel Reserve you’d like us to highlight here? Some burning question you’ve always wanted to ask our horticultural team? Let us know. Send us an email at in**@bl************.org.
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