Echo Lake Elementary School Native Plant Garden tour

Paths are laid out and zones are marked at the
Echo Lake Elementary Native Plant Garden
Photo by Diane Hettrick

You are invited to visit the Echo Lake Native Plant Garden on Saturday, April 27 between 10am and 3pm. The last week of April is Native Plant Appreciation Week and the school garden will be featured as part of the celebration.

Every view of the garden looks completely different
Photo by Diane Hettrick

The garden is on the north side of Echo Lake Elementary School, 19345 Wallingford Ave N, Shoreline 98133, on N 195th.

The Echo Lake School Native Plant Garden is in its fifth year and really beginning to flourish.

This was the starting point in 2009
Photo by Diane Hettrick

In 2009 work parties cleared part of a large, ivy-covered slope and students planted the first shrubs and perennials. The next year the school district cleared the remaining ivy and prepared the ground for planting.

2010 Zones are marked and plants are neatly labeled
Photo by Diane Hettrick

The garden in 2010 with zones marked
Photo by Diane Hettrick

The result was an area 35 feet by 100 feet which was divided into six different habitats: deciduous woodland, coniferous forest, coastal bluff, mountain meadow, prairie, and wetland.

In 2010 the school received an Education Grant from the Washington Native Plant Society to help pay for more plants and some hardscape. However, most plants were donated by Washington Native Plant Society members or acquired from King County plant salvages. In the springs of 2011 and 2012 more plants and shrubs were added.

Rhododendrons were original to the site
 2013 photo by Diane Hettrick

There are currently 118 species of native plants representing 44 plant families growing in the garden. The plants are labeled with wooden stakes or metal tags.

2013: Trails are neatly marked and maintained
Weeding is done by the Green Thumb Club at recess
Photo by Diane Hettrick

Trails, lined with salvaged logs and weathered fence planks, provide access to the different areas. Tree stumps provide a bit of seating, and rocks, rotting logs and dead branches add interest. Teachers bring their classes to the garden to walk around, write poetry, sketch, etc. or sometimes for formal tours. Students in the Green Thumb Cub give up recess time to help maintain the garden.