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
Cypress Island1Iberis sempervirensevergreen candytuft
Living Fence1Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'eulalia grass, variegated maiden grass
Living Fence2Rhododendron 'Holden'
Cypress Island3Sempervivum tectorumhen and chicks
Living Fence4Fargesia dracocephala 'Red Dragon'clumping bamboo
Cypress Island5Rhododendron 'Ramapo'
Living Fence5Origanumhardy marjoram
Cypress Island7Meconopsis cambricaWelsh poppy
Living Fence8Rhododendron 'Cheer'
Cypress Island9Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'hinoki cypress*
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 serviceberry*
Cypress Island13Chamaecyparis lawsonianalawson false cypress**
Living Fence13Carex testacea New Zealand sedge
Living Fence14Rhododendron 'Vera'
Cypress Island15Spirea japonica 'Magic Carpet'Japanese spirea
Living Fence15Hesperantha coccineacrimson flag, river lily
Living Fence16Salvia microphylla 'Hot lips'salvia
Cypress Island17Ophiopogon formosanumTaiwan mondo grass
Living Fence17Philadelphus 'Buckley's Quill'double-flowered mock orange*
Living Fence18Dicentra formosaPacific bleeding heart
Cypress Island19Vacciniumblueberry
Living Fence19Ceanothus gloriosusPoint Reyes ceanothus, California lilac*
Living Fence20Anemone hupehensisJapanese anemone
Living Fence21Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
The Corner21Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
Living Fence22Polygonatum biflorumSolomon's seal
Cypress Island23Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy', 'Herbstfreude'stonecrop
Living Fence23Ginkgo bilobaginkgo, maidenhair tree*
Cypress Island25Erica carnea 'Springwood White'winter heath
Living Fence25Phlox
Cypress Island27Rhododendron roxieanumhigh altitude Asian native rhododendron
Living Fence28Betula papyriferapaper birch*
Cypress Island29Kniphofia uvariared-hot poker, torch lily
Living Fence29Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'variegated sedge
Living Fence30Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'smoke tree
Cypress Island31Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'Japanese coral bark maple*
Living Fence32Weigela rosea, (syn. W. florida)pink weigela
Cypress Island33Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'black mondo grass
Living Fence34Cornus sericea (syn. C. stolonifera) 'Flaviramea'golden twig dogwood
Cypress Island35Rhododendron 'Ramapo'
The Corner35Cornus florida 'Rutgan'stellar pink flowering dogwood*
Living Fence36Lavateraannual mallow, rose mallow
The Corner36Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (syn. H. flava)lemon daylily
Cypress Island37Helleborus orientalis 'Royal Heritage'lenten rose
The Corner37Cornus sericea (syn. C. stolonifera) 'Flaviramea'golden twig dogwood
Cypress Island39Saxifraga rosaceamossy saxifrage
The Corner39Penstemon centranthifoliusscarlet bugler
The Corner40Hypericum palatum 'Hidcote'St. John's wort
The Corner42Garrya elipticasilk tassel bush*
The Corner43Smilacina racemosafalse Solomon's seal*
Cypress Island45Cyclamenhardy cyclamen
The Corner45Picea omorikaSerbian spruce*
The Corner46Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwood*
Cypress Island47Allium cernuumnodding onion*
The Corner47Rhododendron 'Taurus'
The Corner48unknown
Cypress Island49Hylotelephium (syn. Sedum) erythrostictum 'Frosty Morn'
The Corner50Picea abies 'Elegans'dwarf Norway birds-nest spruce
The Corner53Brunnera
The Corner53Rhododendron ponticum 'Blue Peter'
The Corner55Lonicera involucratatwinberry, bush honeysuckle
Hedgerow100Picea mariana 'Wellspire'black spruce*
Hedgerow101Lilium pardalinumleopard lily*
Hedgerow102Epimedium grandiflorumbishop's hat
Hedgerow104Cornus canadensisbunchberry*
Hedgerow105Gaultheria shallonsalal*
Hedgerow106Leycesteria formosaHimalayan honeysuckle
Hedgerow108Carexsedge
Hedgerow109Aquilegia formosawestern columbine, red columbine*
Hedgerow111Carpinus betulusEuropean hornbeam*
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 spruce*
Hedgerow121Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow'pig squeak
Hedgerow122Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'plantain lily
Hedgerow124Trillium ovatumPacific trillium*
Hedgerow126Trientalis borealisnative starflower*
Hedgerow127Helleborushellebore
Hedgerow128Ribes sanguineumred flowering currant*
Hedgerow130Oemleria cerasiformisIndian plum, osoberry*
Hedgerow132Hydrangea macrophyllalacecap hydrangea
Hedgerow134Viburnum davidiiDavid viburnum
Hedgerow136Pinus heldreichii (syn. Pinus leucodermis)Bosnian pine*
Hedgerow138Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba'Roger's flower
Hedgerow140Geranium nodosumcranesbill
Hedgerow142Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'plantain lily
Hedgerow145Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy', 'Herbstfreude'stonecrop
Hedgerow147Rhododendron pachysanthum
Hedgerow149Crocosmiamontbretia
Hedgerow151Cornus kousakousa dogwood*
Hedgerow153Drynaria filix-masbuckler fern, male fern*
Hedgerow155Rhododendron bathyphylum
Hedgerow158Pinus heldreichii (syn. Pinus leucodermis)Bosnian pine*
Hedgerow159Fuchsianon-prostrate hardy fushia
Hedgerow161Acer circinatumvine maple**
Hedgerow163Rhododendron occidentalewestern azalea*
Hedgerow165Fuchsiaregina, hardy prostrate fuchsia
Hedgerow167Pinus strobus 'Fastiagata'columnar eastern white pine*
Hedgerow170Scilla sibiricawood hyacinth
Hedgerow172Rodgersia
Hedgerow174Vaccinium ovatumevergreen huckleberry*
Hedgerow177Corylus cornutawestern hazelnut, beaked hazelnut, California hazelnut*
Hedgerow179Taxusanglojap yew
Cypress IslandNAL020Allium azureumblue globe onion
Cypress IslandNAL022Galium odoratumsweet woodruff*
Cypress IslandNAL058Geranium phaeum 'Margaret Wilson'dusky cranesbill
Pond EastNEP002Acer palmatumJapanese maple*
Pond EastNEP003Adiantum aleuticumwestern maidenhair fern*
Pond EastNEP006Amelanchier canadensiseastern serviceberry, Canadian serviceberry*
Pond EastNEP043Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwood*
Pond EastNEP051Hosta 'Golden Tiara'plantain lily
Pond EastNEP083Phedimus kamtschaticus (syn. Sedum kamchaticum)creeping stonecrop
Pond EastNEP107Sambucus nigra 'Eva'European elderberry*
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 fern*
Pond Northeast EntryNNE016Aruncus dioicusgoatsbeard*
Pond Northeast EntryNNE024Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'feather reed grass
Pond Northeast EntryNNE056Lamprocapnos (syn. Dicentra) cucullaria Dutchman's breeches, bleeding heart*
Pond Northeast EntryNNE127Cercis canadensiseastern redbud*
Pond Northeast EntryNNE138Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans'
Pond Northeast EntryNNE144Erica carneapink spring/winter heath
Pond North (Back)NNP030Carex buchananiileatherleaf sedge
Pond North (Back)NNP043Cornus stoloniferared osier dogwood*
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 currant*
Pond North (Back)NNP154Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'corkscrew willow*
Pond North (Back)NNP156Lonicera involucratatwinberry, bush honeysuckle*
CornerNNP174Weigela florida 'Variegata'variegated weigela
PondnoneNymphaeawaterlily (pale yellow turns to pink)
PondnoneNymphaeavariegated water lily
PondnoneNymphaeawater lily (red)
PondnoneNymphaeawater lily
PondnonePontederia cordatapickeral rush
PondnoneThalia dealbatapowdery alligator-flag
Pond EastnoneDryopteris erythrosoraautumn fern
Pond EastnonePhysocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'summer wine ninebark
Pond North (Back)noneQuercus garryanaGarry oak*
Pond WestnoneMelissa officinalislemon balm
The CornerNSE010Brunnera macrophylla
Pond EastNSE014Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'Siberian bugloss
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 spray*
The CornerNSE082Hydrangea macrophyllahydrangea
The CornerNSE087Cornus florida 'Rutgan'stellar pink dogwood*
The CornerNSE089Drynaria filix-masbuckler fern, male fern*
The CornerNSE097Hemerocallis 'Pink Damask'daylily
The CornerNSE102Mahonia aquifoliumtall Oregon grape*
The CornerNSE111Oemleria cerasiformisIndian plum, osoberry*
The CornerNSE119conver 'Purple Prince'cape fuchsia
The CornerNSE123Pinus contortashore pine**
The CornerNSE130Polystichum munitumwestern swordfern*
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
Pond South (Front) NSP019Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'dwarf barberry
Pond South (Front) NSP031Heucheracoral bells
Pond EastNSP068Geranium pratense 'Brookside'purple hardy geranium
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 grape*
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 WestNWP025Origanum vulgareoregano
Pond WestNWP027Primula juliae 'Sue Jervis'primrose
Pond WestNWP035Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Blue Blossom'California lilac
Pond WestNWP036Centranthus ruberred valerian, Jupiter's beard
Pond Northeast EntryNWP050Deutzia scabra 'Pride of Rochester'fuzzy deutzia
Pond WestNWP063Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba'hardy fuchsia
Pond WestNWP071Gunnera tinctoriachilean rhubarb, dinosaur food
Pond WestNWP077Helleborus orientalis 'Royal Heritage'lenten rose
Pond WestNWP099Koelreuteria paniculatagolden rain tree*
Pond WestNWP100Uncinia rubra 'Belinda's Find'red hook sedge
Pond WestNWP115Carex buchananiiNew Zealand sedge
Pond WestNWP130Polystichum munitumwestern swordfern*
Pond WestNWP131Potentillacinquefoil
Pond WestNWP147Rhododendron occidentale 'Irene Koster'deciduous western azalea*
Pond WestNWP150Ribes sanguineumred-flowering currant*
Pond WestNWP180Allium schoenoprasumchive