We stepped back in time on Sunday. A warm Spring afternoon lay before us. We drove north to Ferndale, Washington to explore Hovander Homestead Park. I say “back in time” because I had visited the park with my family and later with Tom.

For the first time visitor, the experience is still a step into the past. The 350-acre park was the home of the Hokan Hovander and his family, a Swedish architect who immigrated to the US, settling in Ferndale in 1898. He designed the house, which was completed in 1903.

When Whatcom County acquired the property and developed it into a park, the home was mostly furnished with the family’s belongings. The barns and lookout tower and some of the farm machinery remain  as well.

One more thing that gives the park a sense of an earlier time is the selection of some of the thousands of flowers and plantings found on the grounds. Peonies and roses were in full bloom this last Sunday of May. Pink held a solid first place for color of the day! Picket fences and latticework accented the flowers.

 

 

 

 

The garden art is what visitors might expect to find in a 1930s garden.

 

 

A small orchard stands near the house. Have you ever seen a fruit tree with a blossom and fruit on display at the same time?

What’s a garden without a few little creatures?

 

 

Here’s something that isn’t pink!

All the pathways for viewing the gardens are paved, so the area is easy access. There are ten demonstration gardens developed and tended by Master Gardeners. To see a list of the demonstration gardens and get information about them, click here. You can find information about Hovander Homestead Park here. If  you’d like to know more about the history of the home and farm  click here and here.

We only explored a couple of acres of the park. We’ll pack a lunch and go again one day this summer to explore the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center. We will walk along the Nooksack River or another of the trails. And we’ll check out the demonstration gardens. Then we’ll let you know what we saw.

Whether you are out and about this weekend, seeing family or friends, working in the garden, or reading a good book, I hope it is as refreshing for you as a lovely garden walk.

Ginger (and Tom)

All photos are taken by Tom and Ginger Kauffman