Beautify Your Surroundings with Garden Art in Bellingham

Every summer, I try to do at least one garden tour in Whatcom County. Traipsing through the gardens that reflect both artistic talent and green thumbs, I feel inspired – and more than a little envious. Most of these living canvasses of master gardeners/artists feature more than just plants. Tucked between the shrubs and trees, or at the end of a path, they'll place a piece of garden art that draws the eye or makes a statement. We can all learn from the masters and add art to our own gardens to punch up the color or create the perfect focal point. Whatcom County gardeners are lucky to have several outlets for art to beautify outdoor spaces, whether your style is classic, modern or whimsical. Let's take a tour of Bellingham garden art shops, just in time for the Whatcom Horticultural Society's 28th annual Tour of Private Gardens, taking place July 12 - 13. Learn more about the tour here.

In Fairhaven: A Lot of Flowers and The Garden Room

The first stop on our tour is Fairhaven, where A Lot of Flowers and The Garden Room sit across the street from each other on Harris Street. These two businesses offer a variety of garden art. A Lot of Flowers occupies a space adjacent to the Village Green, across the walkway from Jalepeños and one door down from Fat Pie Pizza. The shop's courtyard entrance resembles an outdoor room, and features an all-weather rug, hand-crafted furniture and lots of plants. Inside, you’ll find cut flowers and arrangements, signs and gifts, and the start of the garden art. Though the door to the small gravel-floored outdoor space, there is even more. Buddhas and bunnies share space with turtles, roosters and woodland fairies. Willow branch benches and shelves are filled with still more flowers, plants, statues and figurines. Owned by landscape designers, The Garden Room combines garden tools, books and art with interior décor and gifts. If you’re into adorable animals, you’ll find plenty: frost-proof stoneware pigeons, pigs, bunnies, doves and owls can be found relaxing on the stairs, tucked under plants and gracing shelves all around the shop. Classic details and shapes abound in a wide assortment of planters and brass watering cans.

South of Fairhaven: Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Gifts

Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Gifts is just south of Fairhaven at the start of Chuckanut Drive, our designated Scenic Byway. It’s well worth a stop at Chuckanut Gallery to wander through the amazing garden with an espresso. Here, you’ll find larger garden sculptures and structures displayed among the well-established beds of hosta, sedum, grasses and trees. Colorful glass art and metal garden stakes are sprinkled here and there. On the deck, you can peruse the selection of lanterns, bird feeders, wind chimes, smaller sculptures and wall art.

Central Bellingham: Garden Spot Nursery

Garden Spot Nursery is located in the Sunnyland neighborhood, and it’s as bright and colorful as the surounding neighborhood is known to be. The nursery also happens to be on the back (King St.) side of Sunnyland Square, home to Trader Joe’s, so you've probably driven by while looking for parking. Next time, stop in! The Garden Spot is known for its selection of bedding plants, perennials, herbs and veggie starts, as well as seeds, tools and planters. But wander around inside and out, and you’ll see all kinds of garden art, too. There’s lots of statuary, from dozing puppies to laughing Buddhas. Brightly colored pots are just waiting for you to take them home and plop them on your porch or patio. You’ll also find garden benches, wall pockets, metal whirligigs and wind chimes. (So many wind chimes!) And if you have a large wall or fence to decorate, you’ll find just the right metal sculptures or art piece here. When you’re on the prowl for treasures for your own garden or a gift for a gardener in your life, check out Bellingham’s many garden centers, especially The Garden Room and A Lot of Flowers in Fairhaven, Chuckanut Galley and Gifts south of Fairhaven on Chuckanut Drive, and the Garden Spot in central Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood! A Lot of Flowers    1011 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225     360-647-0728 The Garden Room    1006 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225     360-734-9949 Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Gifts   700 Chuckanut Drive N., Bellingham, WA 98229  360-734-4885 Garden Spot Nursery   900 Alabama Street, Bellingham, WA 98225  360-676-5480 Learn more about the Whatcom Horticultural Society's 28th annual Tour of Private Gardens.

For more ideas about fun activities in Bellingham and Whatcom County see the many links on our home page.