Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation

Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1977

Visit Naturescape to relax and reflect in a natural setting.  This informal garden room features a variety of meandering footpaths bordered by native and non-native plantings.  Stroll the paths and contemplate the variety of ecosystems represented by the sunny meadow, the pond, and the shady corner which was recently inhabited by a swarm of honey bees looking for a new home.
Be inspired to design your garden as a personal green space isolated from adjacent buildings and traffic by good hedges and the sound of water. Naturescape welcomes insects, pollinators, amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, and even humans.
Characteristics:
- Quiet garden experience in natural surroundings
- Mix of native and non-native plant species chosen for resilience and low maintenance
- Informal structure to enhance the natural shape of our plants and trees
- An environment that supports pollinating birds and insects, as well as garden dwelling creatures, such as small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

The Pond

Skagit County is physically defined by water whether it is the sound, bays, lakes, estuaries, rivers and streams. Providing information about how to keep a pond healthy is a stepping stone to keeping all of our waters healthy.
One of the many focal points of the Discovery Garden is the Naturescape Pond.  This garden space was crafted by the Skagit County Master Gardeners when the Discovery Garden was first planned in 1996.  The pond is 15X25' and is 34" deep in the center with a very gradual slope to the edge (bowl shaped).  It contains approximately 2000 gallons of water.
The Naturescape Pond supports the statewide WSU Master Gardener Priorities of Plant Biodiversity, Clean Water, and Nearby Nature.
The goal of the pond is to:
- Interest, inspire and educate the public
- Provide an example of a healthy pond ecosystem
- Be a focal point in the Discovery Garden
- Deliver a natural setting that can be used to support various educational opportunities
- Display an example of a tranquil backyard space that could be added to a backyard garden

Naturescape Garden Plant List

Area#Botanical NameCultivarCommon NameTreeNative
47Spirea bumalda'Anthony Waterer'Japanese spirea, Japanese meadowsweet
CornerNNP174Weigela florida 'Variegata'variegated weigela
Cypress Island1Iberis sempervirensevergreen candytuft
Cypress Island3Sempervivum tectorumhen and chicks
Cypress Island5Rhododendron 'Ramapo'
Cypress Island7Meconopsis cambricaWelsh poppy
Cypress Island9Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'hinoki cypressT
Cypress Island13Chamaecyparis lawsonianalawson false cypressTN
Cypress Island15Spirea japonica 'Magic Carpet'Japanese spirea
Cypress Island17Ophiopogon formosanumTaiwan mondo grass
Cypress Island19Vacciniumblueberry
Cypress Island23Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy', 'Herbstfreude'stonecrop
Cypress Island25Erica carnea 'Springwood White'winter heath
Cypress Island27Rhododendron roxieanumhigh altitude Asian native rhododendron
Cypress Island29Kniphofia uvariared-hot poker, torch lily
Cypress Island31Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'Japanese coral bark mapleT
Cypress Island33Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'black mondo grass
Cypress Island35Rhododendron 'Ramapo'
Cypress Island37Helleborus orientalis 'Royal Heritage'lenten rose
Cypress Island39Saxifraga rosaceamossy saxifrage
Cypress Island45Cyclamenhardy cyclamen
Cypress Island47Allium cernuumnodding onionN
Cypress Island49Hylotelephium (syn. Sedum) erythrostictum 'Frosty Morn'
Cypress IslandNAL020Allium azureumblue globe onion
Cypress IslandNAL022Galium odoratumsweet woodruffN
Cypress IslandNAL058Geranium phaeum 'Margaret Wilson'dusky cranesbill
Hedgerow100Picea mariana 'Wellspire'black spruceT
Hedgerow101Lilium pardalinumleopard lilyN
Hedgerow102Epimedium grandiflorumbishop's hat
Hedgerow104Cornus canadensisbunchberryN
Hedgerow105Gaultheria shallonsalalN
Hedgerow106Leycesteria formosaHimalayan honeysuckle
Hedgerow108Carexsedge
Hedgerow109Aquilegia formosawestern columbine, red columbineN
Hedgerow111Carpinus betulusEuropean hornbeamT
Hedgerow112Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Crowborough'white calla, arum lily
Hedgerow115Hosta fortunei 'Fortunei Albopicta'spring-gold hosta, white-painted plantain lily
Hedgerow117Hylotelephium (syn. Sedum)
Hedgerow119Weigela florida 'Bristol Ruby'variegated weigela
Hedgerow120Picea mariana 'Wellspire'black spruceT
Hedgerow121Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow'pig squeak
Hedgerow122Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'plantain lily
Hedgerow124Trillium ovatumPacific trilliumN
Hedgerow126Trientalis borealisnative starflowerN
Hedgerow127Helleborushellebore
Hedgerow128Ribes sanguineumred flowering currantN
Hedgerow130Oemleria cerasiformisIndian plum, osoberryN
Hedgerow132Hydrangea macrophyllalacecap hydrangea
Hedgerow134Viburnum davidiiDavid viburnum
Hedgerow136Pinus heldreichii (syn. Pinus leucodermis)Bosnian pineT
Hedgerow138Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba'Roger's flower
Hedgerow140Geranium nodosumcranesbill
Hedgerow142Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'plantain lily
Hedgerow145Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy', 'Herbstfreude'stonecrop
Hedgerow147Rhododendron pachysanthum
Hedgerow149Crocosmiamontbretia
Hedgerow151Cornus kousakousa dogwoodT
Hedgerow153Drynaria filix-masbuckler fern, male fernN
Hedgerow155Rhododendron bathyphylum
Hedgerow158Pinus heldreichii (syn. Pinus leucodermis)Bosnian pineT
Hedgerow159Fuchsianon-prostrate hardy fushia
Hedgerow161Acer circinatumvine mapleTN
Hedgerow163Rhododendron occidentalewestern azaleaN
Hedgerow165Fuchsiaregina, hardy prostrate fuchsia
Hedgerow167Pinus strobus 'Fastiagata'columnar eastern white pineT
Hedgerow170Scilla sibiricawood hyacinth
Hedgerow172Rodgersia
Hedgerow174Vaccinium ovatumevergreen huckleberryN
Hedgerow177Corylus cornutawestern hazelnut, beaked hazelnut, California hazelnutN
Hedgerow179Taxusanglojap yew
Living Fence1Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'eulalia grass, variegated maiden grass
Living Fence2Rhododendron 'Holden'
Living Fence4Fargesia dracocephala 'Red Dragon'clumping bamboo
Living Fence5Origanumhardy marjoram
Living Fence8Rhododendron 'Cheer'
Living Fence9Clethra alnifolia 'Paniculata'summersweet, sweet pepper bush
Living Fence10Geranium sanguineum 'Album'white cranesbill
Living Fence11Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'black fountain grass
Living Fence12Amelanchier canadensiseastern serviceberry, Canadian serviceberryT
Living Fence13Carex testacea New Zealand sedge
Living Fence14Rhododendron 'Vera'
Living Fence15Hesperantha coccineacrimson flag, river lily
Living Fence16Salvia microphylla 'Hot lips'salvia
Living Fence17Philadelphus 'Buckley's Quill'double-flowered mock orangeT
Living Fence18Dicentra formosaPacific bleeding heart
Living Fence19Ceanothus gloriosusPoint Reyes ceanothus, California lilacN
Living Fence20Anemone hupehensisJapanese anemone
Living Fence21Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
Living Fence22Polygonatum biflorumSolomon's seal
Living Fence23Ginkgo bilobaginkgo, maidenhair treeT
Living Fence25Phlox
Living Fence28Betula papyriferapaper birchN
Living Fence29Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'variegated sedge
Living Fence30Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'smoke tree
Living Fence32Weigela rosea, (syn. W. florida)pink weigela
Living Fence34Cornus sericea (syn. C. stolonifera) 'Flaviramea'golden twig dogwood
Living Fence36Lavateraannual mallow, rose mallow
PondnoneNymphaeawaterlily (pale yellow turns to pink)
PondnoneNymphaeavariegated water lily
PondnoneNymphaeawater lily (red)
PondnoneNymphaeawater lily
PondnonePontederia cordatapickeral rush
PondnoneThalia dealbatapowdery alligator-flag
Pond EastNEP002Acer palmatumJapanese mapleT
Pond EastNEP003Adiantum aleuticumwestern maidenhair fernN
Pond EastNEP006Amelanchier canadensiseastern serviceberry, Canadian serviceberryT
Pond EastNEP043Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwoodN
Pond EastNEP051Hosta 'Golden Tiara'plantain lily
Pond EastNEP083Phedimus kamtschaticus (syn. Sedum kamchaticum)creeping stonecrop
Pond EastNEP107Sambucus nigra 'Eva'European elderberryT
Pond EastNEP113Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'witch hazel
Pond EastNEP132Dryopteris erythrosoraAutumn fern
Pond EastNEP133Rhododendron 'Gaiety'azalea
Pond EastNEP183Hosta 'Royal Standard'plantain lily
Pond EastNEP184Hosta fortunei 'Fortunei Aureomarginata'plantain lily
Pond EastNEP185Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'plantain lily
Pond EastNEP186Anemone blandaGrecian windflower
Pond EastNEP200Pteridium filix-feminalady fernN
Pond EastnoneDryopteris erythrosoraautumn fern
Pond EastnonePhysocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'summer wine ninebark
Pond EastNSE014Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'Siberian bugloss
Pond EastNSP068Geranium pratense 'Brookside'purple hardy geranium
Pond North (Back)NNP030Carex buchananiileatherleaf sedge
Pond North (Back)NNP043Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwoodN
Pond North (Back)NNP044Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'yellow twig dogwood
Pond North (Back)NNP059Eutrochium fistulosumJoe-Pye weed
Pond North (Back)NNP065Iris sibiricaSiberian iris
Pond North (Back)NNP072Phlomis fruticosaJerusalem sage
Pond North (Back)NNP149Ribes indecorumwhite-flowering currant
Pond North (Back)NNP150Ribes sanguineumred-flowering currantN
Pond North (Back)NNP154Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'corkscrew willowT
Pond North (Back)NNP156Lonicera involucratatwinberry, bush honeysuckleN
Pond North (Back)noneQuercus garryanaGarry oakN
Pond Northeast EntryNNE016Aruncus dioicusgoatsbeardN
Pond Northeast EntryNNE024Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'feather reed grass
Pond Northeast EntryNNE056Lamprocapnos (syn. Dicentra) cucullaria Dutchman's breeches, bleeding heartN
Pond Northeast EntryNNE127Cercis canadensiseastern redbudT
Pond Northeast EntryNNE138Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans'
Pond Northeast EntryNNE144Erica carneapink spring/winter heath
Pond Northeast EntryNWP050Deutzia scabra 'Pride of Rochester'fuzzy deutzia
Pond South (Front) NSP019Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
Pond South (Front) NSP031Heucheracoral bells
Pond South (Front) NSP090Kolkwitzia amabilisbeautybush
Pond South (Front) NSP093Pieris japonica 'Valley Rose'valley rose pieris
Pond South (Front) NSP100Uncinia rubra 'Red Hook'varigated sedge
Pond South (Front) NSP103Mahonia repenscreeping Oregon grapeN
Pond South (Front) NSP114Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'black fountain grass
Pond South (Front) NSP115Carex buchananiiNew Zealand sedge
Pond South (Front) NSP178Crocosmia masoniorum 'Lucifer'montbretia
Pond South (Front) NSP183Hosta 'Royal Standard'plantain lily
Pond WestnoneMelissa officinalislemon balm
Pond WestNWP025Origanum vulgareoregano
Pond WestNWP027Primula juliae 'Sue Jervis'primrose
Pond WestNWP035Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Blue Blossom'California lilac
Pond WestNWP036Centranthus ruberred valerian, Jupiter's beard
Pond WestNWP063Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba'hardy fuchsia
Pond WestNWP071Gunnera tinctoriachilean rhubarb, dinosaur food
Pond WestNWP077Helleborus orientalis 'Royal Heritage'lenten rose
Pond WestNWP099Koelreuteria paniculatagolden rain treeT
Pond WestNWP100Uncinia rubra 'Belinda's Find'red hook sedge
Pond WestNWP115Carex buchananiiNew Zealand sedge
Pond WestNWP130Polystichum munitumwestern swordfernN
Pond WestNWP131Potentillacinquefoil
Pond WestNWP147Rhododendron occidentale 'Irene Koster'deciduous western azaleaN
Pond WestNWP150Ribes sanguineumred-flowering currantN
Pond WestNWP180Allium schoenoprasumchive
The Corner21Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
The Corner35Cornus florida 'Rutgan'stellar pink flowering dogwoodT
The Corner36Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (syn. H. flava)lemon daylily
The Corner37Cornus sericea (syn. C. stolonifera) 'Flaviramea'golden twig dogwood
The Corner39Penstemon centranthifoliusscarlet bugler
The Corner40Hypericum palatum 'Hidcote'St. John's wort
The Corner42Garrya elipticasilk tassel bushN
The Corner43Smilacina racemosafalse Solomon's sealN
The Corner45Picea omorikaSerbian spruceT
The Corner46Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwoodN
The Corner47Rhododendron 'Taurus'
The Corner48unknown
The Corner50Picea abies 'Elegans'dwarf Norway birds-nest spruce
The Corner53Brunnera
The Corner53Rhododendron ponticum 'Blue Peter'
The Corner55Lonicera involucratatwinberry, bush honeysuckle
The CornerNSE010Brunnera macrophylla
The CornerNSE015Rhododendron thomsonii
The CornerNSE023Hemerocallis fulva 'Stella de Oro'daylily
The CornerNSE034Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'golden Japanese sedge
The CornerNSE045Cornus sericea (syn. C. stolonifera) 'Silver and Gold'yellow twig dogwood, variegated
The CornerNSE048Crocosmiamontbretia
The CornerNSE049Brunnera macrophyllaSiberian bugloss
The CornerNSE064Fuchsia magellanica 'Riccartonii'hardy fuchsia
The CornerNSE078Hemerocallis fulvaorange daylily, tawny daylily
The CornerNSE080Holodiscus discolorocean sprayN
The CornerNSE082Hydrangea macrophyllahydrangea
The CornerNSE087Cornus florida 'Rutgan'stellar pink dogwoodT
The CornerNSE089Drynaria filix-masbuckler fern, male fernN
The CornerNSE097Hemerocallis 'Pink Damask'daylily
The CornerNSE102Mahonia aquifoliumtall Oregon grapeN
The CornerNSE111Oemleria cerasiformisIndian plum, osoberryN
The CornerNSE119conver 'Purple Prince'cape fuchsia
The CornerNSE123Pinus contortashore pineTN
The CornerNSE130Polystichum munitumwestern swordfernN
The CornerNSE145Hamameliswitch hazel
The CornerNSE153Veronica repenscreeping veronica, creeping speedwell
The CornerNSE163Asplenium (Phyllitis) scolopendriumwavyleaf hart's tongue fern
The CornerNSE204Polystichum polyblepharumtassel fern
The CornerNSE205Adiantum venustumHimalayan maidenhair fern
The CornerNSE206Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens'purple-stem royal fern
The CornerNSE207Polystichum aff. Neolobatumlong-eared fern, shiny holly fern
The CornerNSE208Polypodum scouleriScouler's native hanging fern