My Secret Garden

Ever read Nancy Drew mysteries as a child? You probably didn't if you were a guy, but I found the blonde, sometimes redheaded, Nancy appealed to my sense of adventure. Thinking about her hair color, we also had that in common!

I probably owned 20 of the original 56 books written by various people using the pseudonym, Carolyn Keene. I remember having a hard time putting her books down. I'd turn on my light after I was supposed to be asleep and become one with Nancy Drew.

Taking photos of four year-old Cassie the other day while she explored my yard, started me thinking about secret gardens. I thought there was a Nancy Drew mystery titled, My Secret Garden, but when I Googled to find it - no luck. Perhaps I was thinking about The Password to Larkspur Lane or one of the other mysteries in which a secret garden was mentioned.

Amazing what the subconscious holds. Perhaps the influence of those childhood mystery stories were the unconscious inspiration for what has become my "secret garden," a hideaway with lots of perennial flowers, weathered benches, and trickling waterfalls.


With the foliage maturing, helped by all the rain, the garden has evolved over the last four years since we re-landscaped. It now looks as though it's been there for years. Just the right place for little girls (and big ones too) to pretend they've found a secret garden. www.BonnieKingPhotography.com

Lakewold Gardens - Tacoma, WA

I spent last Saturday morning at Lakewold Gardens photographing volunteers who, along with a few talented staff members, keep this unique destination beautifully maintained. I couldn't help but take photos of the mansion, statuary, the impressive Empress tree, and other unique features of the estate grounds which gently slope down through old growth trees and fern grottoes to the lake's edge. To see all the photos, visit www.BonnieKingPhotography.com.

Lakewold's own brochures tell the story: Located in Lakewood, Washington (12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W. 98499), Lakewold offers landscape architecture by Thomas Church surrounded by rare and native plants, State champion trees, over 900 rhododendrons, 30 Japanese maples and stunning statuary. A Washington State historic landmark, Lakewold's Georgian-style mansion and historic architecture complete the 10 acres where visitors can step back in time to an elegant past or enjoy a relaxing moment to contemplate the future.

The Wagner estate belonged to one of Tacoma's prominent families. Eulalie Wagner made this garden her personal life project and generously left it for all to enjoy. "As we become more and more city creatures, living in man made surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in the garden." Eulalie Wagner.

From my perspective as a garden lover and photographer, this enchanting venue on the shores of Gravelly Lake is also ideal for weddings, meetings or other events. Picnicking is permitted. There's even a gift shop with truly unusual garden tools, gifts, delicacies, plants and garden art. Don't miss it. There is an entrance fee: Adult $9; Senior, Student, Military $6; Children under 12 are free. Special group rates are also available. Call 253-584-4106 or 1-888-858-4106. You can also visit the Lakewold Gardens website at www.lakewoldgardens.org 

Garden Studio

My garden has been neglected this spring because of the uninspiring weather. But with a couple days of sunshine this week, I found myself reclaiming my backyard, also known as the pocket garden.

I trimmed, weeded, transplanted a honeysuckle - trellis and all - from the front of the house to the back, dug up miniature roses from the driveway bank and moved them to the back, and finally re-installed the fountains and flipped the switch to see if the pumps still worked. They did!

Any good gardener knows (which I don't claim to be) that this isn't the ideal time to transplant, but as I told my neighbor, Janine, while comparing gardening aches and pains, if it doesn't grow, out it goes! Now, I still have to find more shade loving plants for the raised beds in the back. My beautiful Japanese coral maple tree, once petite, has grown to the point, I have shady raised beds instead of sunny ones. 

When the weather cooperates and I have studio shoots in our home, clients also have the choice of outdoor garden locations too.

Today, Bella, was talked into serving as my model. The promise of treats didn't hurt either. All I need is a couple more days of sunshine to inspire more work in the front yard. Want an indoor/outdoor studio tour? Give me a call at 253-576-8164. BonnieKingPhotography.com