Robert Fairfax: Foliage, Form and Fantasy Morph in a Woodland Garden
On August 18th, I was lucky enough to attend the annual Northwest Horticultural Society, Meet the Board Garden Tour. This year’s tour focused on six gardens and one nursery located in Snohomish County. As always, every garden was a delight, full of inspiration and awe. However, it was the 5 acre garden of Robert Fairfax that left a lasting impression on me.
I was first struck by a grove of vine maples arching gracefully near the front of his home. As I marveled at the light streaming through them a woman, who’d just finished touring his garden, walked past me and quietly said, “You’re in for a treat.” I wondered why she was whispering, but I smiled and nodded my head. Around the side of his house and I was greeted by two pillars designating the entry to his garden. I thought to myself, “Oh, this is going to be a treat.”
Serendipity Posts and Compass Points
As I walked along the moss covered garden paths, I noticed how the shapes and textures of every forest layer stood out distinctly as their own, but also as part of the whole. The stately vertical trunks of the conifers, the wispy, light filled vine maples, the shiny mounded forms of salal and the delicate fuzzy moss spreading underfoot . The quiet of the space was clear, now I understood why that woman was whispering. And then… I saw them. A colony of Forest Urchins nestled in to the nooks and crannies of the forest floor – some huddled together, others standing alone. The more I looked, the more I saw. The blue of their forms popped against the greens of the forest setting, yet looked very much in harmony with the surroundings.
Forest Urchins
This was only the beginning of the surprises. As the woodland path curved through the garden, each turn revealed a new view, alive with fantastical creatures and sensuous forms.
Purple Pods
Flame Pods
Starry-night Fenulent nestled in Japanese Forest Grass in the Moss Glen area
Cube Seats
Spirit Arbor
Unfinished Cenozoic Wall on the knoll above Spirit Arbor
Earth Code Wall
Poppy Urchins
Rune Stone Wall by Bog Garden
I asked Robert after the tour what inspired his art and garden. “The garden reflects my fascination with nature’s beautiful forms; sometimes a bit of whimsy is added; plus, you see the elements of civilization, such as hieroglyphics, morphing into the natural. I try to harmonize my artwork with the woodland surroundings.”
I’m sure each visitor to Robert’s garden has a different take-away. For me, the beauty of his space was the experience – the art, the setting, the plants… “harmony”, is the perfect way to describe it. I felt as though I’d stepped into a fantasy. While the “rules” of gardening have their place – odd numbered groupings, symmetry, complimentary colors…, Robert’s woodland walk is proof that a garden can be whatever you want it to be.
I came back from the tour raving to Heidi about Robert’s garden. She quickly informed me that she’d used Robert’s art in her award winning 2012 Northwest Flower and Garden Show garden, “The Resonating Sounds of Nature”. For this garden she used Robert’s Earth Code Wall, Flame Pods and Cube Seats. She obviously has the same appreciation for his work that I do!
Sublime Garden Design’s 2012 Northwest Flower & Garden Show garden, “The Resonating Sounds of Nature”
Whether it’s the art, the woodland garden or the silence, Robert Fairfax’s garden is sure to leave a lasting impression. I came away feeling inspired – and wanting some of his art for my own garden!
To learn more about Robert’s art, or better yet add some to your garden, you can contact him at:
email: robertalanfairfax@gmail.com
website: robertfairfax.com
Organized under Design Style, Garden Art & Funky stuff, Gardens, Landscape Design, Northwest Flower & Garden Show. Labeled as 2013 NHS Garden Tour, 2013 Northwest Horticultural Society Garden Tour, NHS Garden Tour, Northwest Horticultural Society Garden Tour, Robert Fairfax Art, Robert Fairfax Art and Landscape, Robert Fairfax Garden Art, Robert Fairfax Garden Tour, Robert Fairfax Snohomish, Seattle Garden Art, Snohomish garden art, Sublime Garden Design 2012 Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Sublime Garden Design 2012 NWFGS, Sublime Garden Design The Resonating Sounds of Nature.
