We were excited about our first in person Open Garden since 2019! Kathy and David Leishman kindly offered their lovely seaside garden for us to visit.

Kathy says “Our garden has developed into two areas, with each having a different focus. The seaside area was planned to be drought tolerant and deer resistant, and has certainly been the most interesting area. Lots of testing and learning going on, even after 23 years! Right now we look out onto a relaxed and seedy space, punctuated by evergreen shrubs like Ceanothus. It’s buzzing with bees, who are still happy to forage amongst the lavender and Teucrium, and the Buddleia is still attracting swallowtail butterflies.”

“The north side of the house is fenced, and more conventional in planting. I’ve collected a range of plants which thrive under the canopy of the firs: Hebes, Olearias, Camellias, and small ground covers like Saxifragas, hardy Begonias.”