An Eclectic Garden Delights with Unexpected Surprises

The secret is out and the owners of this garden, ten years in the making, are overjoyed. Mike Osterling and Ron Alessandrini couldn’t be more humble about the incredible garden they’ve created at their home in Woodinville, Washington, and the recent attention it’s received. A unique expression of their personalities, the garden and house, once considered a neighborhood eyesore, have evolved from a property slotted for demolition, to a park-like setting that has been featured on the local garden tour and hosts an annual garden party for more than 300 guests. When starting the garden, Osterling and Alessandrini, who have no formal training in landscape design, threw all their preconceived notions of gardening out the window and set their sights on creating a landscape that would surprise and delight.  

The home itself won an architectural award in 1965, but had fallen into disrepair over the years. Now fully restored, the house holds over 275 pieces of artwork, ranging from Picasso watercolors to paintings by local artists. “Every wall is covered, one friend teases us because we even have art in our carport,” jokes Osterling. At a recent garden party, Osterling and Alessandrini brought part of their collection out into the garden and displayed them on easels.

Even with the paintings returned safely indoors, the garden still serves as an outdoor gallery. Sculptures, bespoke art installations and fascinating antiques are present in many of the garden beds. Additionally, Osterling and Alessandrini employ a technique which they’ve termed architectural gardening. “Early on we experimented with incorporating a few pots into the garden beds as a way of adding height, texture and color,” they recall. People responded so well to the approach that today there are over 100 containers tucked amongst the plants, some planted, some empty and others boasting perfectly placed bamboo poles. Around every turn there is something new and creative to surprise visitors.

One art installation, which the pair had commissioned by a local artist, has proven especially delightful. It consists of three red steel cubes elevated on poles, with the tallest cube at 22 feet high. “Shortly after they were installed we were out in the garden and heard an unfamiliar, gong-like sound. It turned out to be caused by the steel expanding and contracting with the changes in weather,” explains Alessandrini. When the artist heard about the phenomena he offered to drill holes in each cube to make it stop, but Osterling and Alessandrini refused. They enjoyed how the unanticipated sounds added a new layer of auditory experience to their garden.

While best described as an eclectic mix of styles, their garden has Asian-influences present throughout. “We often travel to Asia for my work and have brought back sculptures and custom designed clay pots,” says Alessandrini. The overall atmosphere of the garden is one of serenity and peace, which is common of Eastern gardens. Additionally, the rolling layout of the garden borrows elements of feng shui. “There are no straight lines, the garden is meant to be wandered and explored.”

For Osterling and Alessandrini, their garden is a true labor of love. “We can’t go out without coming back with a load of plants, a new art piece or a pot for the garden,” Osterling says. The entire 2 acre property does not have an irrigation system, some days the hand-watering takes as long as four hours. But Alessandrini likes it that way. “It helps us keep a close eye on the plants and creates a strong personal connection with the garden.”

The biggest surprise for Osterling and Alessandrini has been how much other people enjoy what they’ve created. “In the last year or so people have become very interested in our garden, we’ve even received a request to visit from a person in North Carolina,” they say. Some days they arrive home to find a friend or neighbor enjoying a book in one of the many garden vignettes, or to a message from someone wanting to tour the garden. “When we started this garden we envisioned a comfortable space–nothing too formal–it appears we’ve achieved that.” Next year they have plans to turn their annual garden party into a fundraiser for local organizations they support.

Together, they have rejuvenated this property in a way they couldn’t even have imagined when they first moved in ten years ago. With gardeners this passionate, surely there will be many more delightful surprises to come.

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