Happy Friday, gardening enthusiasts! As the week draws to a close, we travel once again to Mill Creek, Washington, located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, to catch up with Lila and take another enchanting tour of her evolving landscape. Readers last heard from Lila back in August, when she highlighted the vibrant progress of her ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ pineapple lily and celebrated a remarkable milestone alongside her husband, Dave: their 60th wedding anniversary. Today, Lila is back to share a fresh, picturesque look at how her carefully curated yet organically shifting landscape transitions into the heart of autumn during the month of October.
Reflecting on nearly three decades spent cultivating the land just north of Seattle, Lila notes that both she and her property have grown significantly together over the years. Having established their home and yard almost 30 years ago, the couple has accumulated a wealth of gardening experience, witnessing firsthand how a landscape naturally matures, adapts, and responds to changing seasons and design philosophies.
Yet, this long-standing partnership in horticulture has not been entirely without its lighthearted artistic disagreements. While Dave leans toward a preference for neat, tidy, and well-behaved plants, Lila’s aesthetic tends to embrace a slightly wilder, more untamed approach. A prime example of this gentle domestic debate centers around baby’s tears ground cover (Soleirolia soleirolii, Zones 9–11). Lila loves watching the lush, delicate foliage ramble organically over garden stones and weave its way around the fountain, while Dave takes a decidedly more restrained view. According to Lila, the couple engages in a friendly, ongoing "battle" over where the vigorous ground cover is permitted to wander across the property.
The landscape itself presents unique geographical and microclimate opportunities, shaped primarily by its unconventional footprint. The property features a particularly odd shape and covers a larger total area than most of the surrounding yards in their cul-de-sac community. Because of this distinct layout, Lila and Dave benefit from a diverse array of growing zones right in their own backyard. These distinct pockets include shady and fertile spots rich in organic matter, sunny areas characterized by tough hardpan soil, and transitional zones offering partial sun and partial shade with reasonably cooperative, decent soil.
To maximize the ecological vitality of these varied spaces, the couple designs their plantings with local wildlife in mind. While they maintain hummingbird feeders as a primary attraction, their broader strategy relies on creating a comprehensive natural habitat. The yard incorporates protective shelter, soothing water features, soaring mature trees, and a robust selection of long-blooming perennials and summer annuals designed to invite birds and other beneficial creatures into the ecosystem.
Both homeowners share a deep commitment to keeping their outdoor living spaces looking vibrant, colorful, and meticulously cared for. October proves to be an exceptionally rewarding time for hardy fuchsias (Fuchsia cvs., Zones 7–10) in this Pacific Northwest microclimate, prompting Lila to capture and share several striking photographs of them. Because this particular autumn has experienced unseasonably warm temperatures, their regular fuchsia hanging basket remains completely intact and continues to bloom in full splendor.
One of the standout hardy fuchsias highlighted in the October photo series occupies a somewhat challenging position that receives less direct sunlight than ideal. Despite the limitations of its shady microenvironment, the plant defies expectations by producing a profusion of whimsical, vibrant blossoms just in time for mid-autumn. This resilient fuchsia is thoughtfully nestled among lush hostas (Hosta cvs., Zones 3–9) and a graceful laceleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum, Zones 5–8), all growing harmoniously under the protective canopy of several large, mature trees that loom just outside the frame.
The visual narrative of the garden continues with a sweeping view of a brilliant blue October sky serving as a dramatic backdrop for the landscape. Framing this picturesque vista is the striking ‘Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry’, Zones 6–9). The distinctive specimen tree is flanked symmetrically by towering western red cedars (Thuja plicata, Zones 5–8) and a native vine maple (Acer circinatum, Zones 5–9), creating a rich tapestry of autumn color that bridges cultivated elegance with native Northwest woodland beauty.
Additional views of the October backyard showcase the seamless integration of mature evergreen trees, a well-maintained green lawn, cleanly edged garden beds, and charming hanging lanterns that illuminate the space as the days grow shorter. These elements combine to reflect decades of thoughtful curation, patience, and a shared passion for outdoor living.
As this week’s garden visit comes to a close, we extend our sincere gratitude to Lila for welcoming us back into her Washington sanctuary and sharing the latest chapter of her horticultural journey. It is a delight to see that, even after thirty years of cultivating soil side-by-side, Lila and Dave still maintain their playful spirit—and their cheerful debate over the adventurous paths of baby’s tears. We wish everyone in the Garden Photo of the Day community a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
