Arriving at this place, there’s not much you can do besides reveling in its shocking beauty. The land, a slab of glacial bedrock jutting out into the inlet, presents a 270 degree view of the water. The river otters make their paths through the property known, and a pair of bald eagles are usually above. Crows break their crustacean bounty on the boulder you 
see out from the kitchen. 

This is traditionally Swinomish land, and we acknowledge the problems and contradictions of owning this land (and owning any land). But that is where we are right now.

We removed the lawn and other thirsty ‘garden’ plants. And most all garden ideas that distract from the context. And we’ve added thousands of native plants (local seed stock) whom we hope will explodeth 
with vigor and support for the rich existing wildlife populations. We’ve diversified the native plant palette, pulling from the nearby San Juan Islands, native plants that could be here and perhaps will increasingly do well 
here, supporting genetic migration. And extending 
the seasonal availability of flowers and berries for the critters here. We don’t understand the complexities 
of what supports what, but a rich diverse coastal puget sound plant community feels like a good start.

Shawn of Ghostflower Grange native seeds (buy his seeds!) has taken care of this project from the beginning. He knows things in many planes and realms about native plant care, and he is bringing astonishing plant (and ensuing insect etc) diversity to the garden. There are always no creatures. Self-sowing is ramping up. It’s truly beyond words the richness he is bringing to this land.

Some of the planting is loose and simply extends from the native edges. The new waterside planting is native but stylized, amoebic lumps of native plants that billow and offer a fluffy substrate for the water view beyond. The old douglas firs hold the slope together, and the new next-generation diverse canopy begins to take root through thick glacial till. The young plants look truly so happy to be growing into rock.

Landscape construction by Grass Roots Lawn and Garden, construction and stewardship beyond words by Osoberry Habitat Service / Ghostflower Grange.