In The Garden Now….. Bear Sighting

Chocolate Bear 

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

With his nest finished it looks like ‘Bear’ is considering planting more tennis balls. If you asked him I’m sure he would tell you that it’s not possible to have too many of those fine delicacies!

There’s nothing like a gardening friend of the canine persuasion to lighten the load.

Bear’s nest is surrounded by Japanese Forest Grass, Winter Blooming Daphne, Dwarf English Boxwood, and Corsican Hellebore. A Basalt Basin holds water for our bird friends. When Bear vacates the nest most everything in this garden will continue to grow and spring back into position. If it doesn’t I’ll cut it back and watch it regrow.

The garden is changed once Bear makes a nest. A few plants are crushed, broken or even destroyed. That’s all part of being a “Pet Parent.” Having Bear in the garden adds a sense of pure enthusiasm, mischief and joy.

Official name: Chocolate Labrador Retriever

Plants in the Photo with Bear:

• Hakonechloa Japanese Forest Grass
• Daphne odora Winter Blooming Daphne
• Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ Dwarf English Boxwood 
• Helleborus argutifolius Corsican Hellebore

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 25 years.