"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Day trip - Cultus Bay Nursery

What a busy weekend we had here.  The Littlest Gardener's ballet rehearsal and recital took up most of Friday and Saturday.  It was a lot of fun, and she loved performing on stage.  I was the backstage helper and was I ever tired when it was all finished!  Trying to entertain a whole bunch of 4 year old girls and keep them clean and ready to go onstage was a lot of work. 
Since my birthday is later in the week, my husband said we could pretend Sunday was my birthday and I could choose what we did.  Lucky me, we woke up to sun and I decided right where I wanted to go.
We hopped on the Mukilteo ferry and headed across to Whidbey Island.  Anyone taking a trip out to the Seattle area should try to take a trip there.  It is full of cute towns, beautiful gardens and nurseries and lots of things to see and do.  Every place I've ever eaten there was delicious, most of the food is local to that area.  In fact the food was so good I had lunch twice!

Taking the ferry across to Clinton we pass the ferry returning to Mukilteo.

Karen from Greenwalks posted on my Facebook page awhile ago when I was raving about another town on Whidbey Island and said to try and visit Cultus Bay Nursery next time we visited.  What a great recommendation that was!  To get there you follow a long gravel driveway through woods.  The owners home was built in the 1980's to look like an old home and if I hadn't read that, I would've been sure it was very old.  I felt kind of funny taking a picture of their house since it was behind the hedges of roses and other tall shrubs.

Lots of cute decor throughout the garden.

The path leading towards the nursery.



There were two long paths lined in espaliered apple trees.


This tattered winged butterfly loved these flowers and kept returning.

I think these are golden Hops growing over the shade perennial house.

Very cute sitting area with gorgeous begonia.

Apparently this little outbuilding is new and I think built by the husband.  I overheard some women talking about him being a wood worker.  This was all screened in with a bed and table and chairs inside.  The wood he used was so unusual.

A goldfish pond right next to the screened outbuilding.


I'm not knowledgeable at all about livestock, but I think this is a steer that was on the other side of the deer fence.  In the middle of this tall grassy field was an old apple tree.  When he stood under it, he reminded me of the bull Ferdinand in the children's storybook by the same name.

On each fence post along the steer's fence were nesting boxes.  We were lucky to see Tree Swallows flying in and out to feed their babies.

This little baby sat on the edge waiting to be fed.

Sweet Pea and I tried many times to get an action shot of the feeding.  With her help counting down the bird landing and me ready with the camera, we finally got the shot.  We stood and watched the birds for a long time.  My idea of heaven was standing there in the sun amongst the trees and flowers watching the birds.  I could've stayed there all day.

My husband was actually the one interested in choosing the plants this time, I was almost overwhelmed by the whole place and I had a hard time just looking at plants.  He chose a Geranium 'Patricia' and Helianthemum and a Campanula.  After the nursery we found lots of other fun things to see and do, but this was definitely the highlight.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful day! You had lots of sun - yeah!

    I need to get back to Whidbey. I enjoyed my last trip there. What was the lunch place called? Thanks.

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  2. Now there's a trip worthy of a birthday celebration! I've only been to Whidbey Island once and it was a treat. Tell Sweet Pea she did a great job of assisting w/ the action shots..they're awesome. Happy Birthday in advance fellow Cancer!

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  3. Discovering a new nursery is always fun, isn't it? This is a particular pretty one. I love all the birdhouses and the birds seem to love them, too. Thanks for the lovely post!
    Christina

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  4. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place. I'll put it on my list for when we make our next trip down that way.

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  5. Hi Catherine, What a delightful nursery. I love the action shot of the birds. So happy you shared your birthday outing with us. Wishes for a very nice birthday week.

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  6. Catherine, what a wonderful nursery...I am trying to plan some day trips this summer to area nurseries...I have been missing out on their beauty and charm...

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  7. Beautiful photos, Catherine! And Happy Birthday!

    Jane

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  8. That is a nursery I'd love to visit! The outhouse is so unusual. I enjoyed going through the place with you!

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  9. Sheila - One place we ate last time was in Langley called Mike's Place, this time we ate a bakery in Langley - can't remember the name, and we also ate in a town called Greenbank at Greenbank Farm, the cafe that's well known for it's pies.

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  10. Catherine,

    This looks like a wonderful nursery, so natural. The ferry ride alone would have me hooked!

    Eileen

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  11. We've taken the Deception Pass drive but I've managed to miss any gardens in the area. Time to take another drive! Such a beautiful garden and the husband is apparently an amazing woodworker. Love all the little touches.

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  12. Happy Early birthday! What a great outing. So many beautiful plants and cute personal touches. What a wonderful little room the husband built, love the curvy wood. Butterflies like the zinnias here too.

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  13. Oh what a wonderful place to visit. I would like to ride on a ferry. As long as I can see land I am alright. LOL! What a cute little bungalow or Summer Room. I am glad you had a nice day for your visit. And Happy Birthday you young thing!

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  14. What better way to celebrate a birthday than with time on the water, two delicious lunches, and a visit to a wonderful new nursery! Sounds like a perfect day! (Geranium Patricia is one I'm hoping to add to my garden this year.) -Jean

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  15. Next time take me!!

    This looked so great. Thanks for the adventure.

    Jeff and I wanted to live on Whidbey, but ended up on Orcas. I think Whidbey would've been just right for us.

    Love to you,

    Sharon

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  16. What a tranquil place for a nursery. It would be a pleasant place to shop for plants!
    (in my book they are all cows....easier that way)

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  17. Great that hubby is choosing flowering plants for the gardens. Looks like a nice place to spend the day. Great shot of the birds! Happy birthday Catherine. What day is it?

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  18. Becca - My official birthday is June 29th, tomorrow!

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  19. Thanks for letting us take the trip with you! Beautiful place, with wonderful images captured.

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  20. This looks like it was a really fun outing! I'll definitely look up Cultus if I ever make it to Whidbey. It looks like a cool nursery, one with a personal touch.

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  21. What a fun day! Happy Birthday!
    Love your pic of the birds.

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  22. What a fabulous nursery! I love garden nurseries that are more than mere rows of potted plants. It's obvious the owners of this one have put their heart and soul into it. That outbuilding is fabulous, and could probably command some serious rent around here! ;)

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  23. Your photographs and descriptions are marvellous, Catherine. I really did feel as though I was there, too. What a thoroughly delightful place. I, too, would have had a hard time dragging myself away as they certainly was such a lot to see and take in and it has all been so creatively and beautifully laid out by the owners. Were it possible, I would most definitely want to visit again and again :)

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  24. What a beautiful place! I love Whidbey Island and always had a great time each visit. Happy Birthday too!

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  25. I have never been nor heard of Whidbey- I will have to keep that in mind- we are planning a trip to Seattle in the fall. Hope you had a great birthday! Looks like you had a great trip!!!

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  26. I've never been to the Pacific Northwest and have always wanted to go. Your day sounds so wonderful!! Maybe if I put on my red shoes and cick my heels together.... :o)

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  27. Very picturesque Catherine. If I ever make it out there to visit my brother, I'll have to try to go (and save room in my car to bring home plants!)
    I think it sounds like a perfect way to spend your birthday and congrats on capturing the swallow feeding photo. That is pretty awesome.

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  28. Catherine How wonderful! I have done that too....that is, Celebrated my birthday ahead of time to fit whatever plans that occurred before it.

    I love the photo's and your birthday story. Happy Birthday, so glad you enjoyed yourself.

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  29. Definitely one for my list. What great shots you have shared. Can't wait to go there.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  30. You just described my idea of heaven! The bird feeding photos are a treasure.

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  31. What a gorgeous place! That outbuilding the husband built has given me some great ideas. I can see how this place could overwhelm you. Just lovely!

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