I’m sure all gardens are beautiful and look amazing in photos, but there’s something about a garden with so much detail that you can’t help but be amazed the moment you walk into it. Susan Kohrink has what I call a garden of magazines. You can see why it’s featured in so many publications.
We will break the gloomy cold weather and bring you the joy of summer. Last summer, I had the pleasure of scouting several gardens around Vancouver for Garden Gate magazine.
Susan Kohrink was one of the gardeners I met and toured her garden space. As much as I would like to take credit for finding this beautiful garden to share with you today, the truth is, Susan is a seasoned professional.
Susan has had her garden featured multiple times in multiple magazines and hosts garden tours for people all over the world.
Her space is truly beautiful and looks like something out of a magazine. She focuses on perfection in every detail, yet displays a creativity you won’t find in other spaces.
Come join us on this virtual tour!
What is Magazine Garden?
Over the past 10 years, I’ve attended quite a few of Better Home & Gardens’ Stylemaker events. The first time I went, I was very naive about what goes into creating a magazine article.
As bloggers and now influencers, we all have access to posts via our phones and laptops. Anyone can share their experiences and photos with a wider audience.
But at the Stylemaker event, you could really see all the work they do to design and style a shoot. It’s like watching a Michelin star chef prepare a meal rather than a good home cook. The attention to detail and overall thought is better than ever.
It’s not necessarily about having style, but knowing how to cultivate it and make it great. And that’s exactly what I saw in Susan’s garden. The level of effort put into every detail makes her garden truly magazine-worthy.
Welcome to Susan Kohrink’s garden
At the back of the home, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful iron gate and a custom plaque that reads “Weathercock House,” named after the rooster weathervane atop the home. Walking down the street, you are immediately transported to this beautiful space. It has a formal lawn with water features in the background, pots with hostas, and a fountain spewing bronze frogs.
You must take a moment to admire this fountain. The magazine and I took similar photos and we were both clearly drawn to it. Even after all these years, the frog remains in style. Susan’s garden has remained timeless since undergoing a major renovation over 20 years ago.
historic garden
Susan moved into the home with her husband Tony in 1979. Perennials and shrubs were already planted.
It wasn’t until the 2000s, when their last child left the nest, that they decided to put their own stamp on it. They removed the basketball court, swing set and even a sunroom they didn’t use to make the space their own sanctuary.
Working with landscape designer Ron Ruhl, they completely transformed the 66-by-120-foot space.
Since then, the garden has held many tours both nationally and internationally and has been featured in many magazines. In fact, it has been featured in Garden Gate magazine three times! In 2006, it was held twice in March/April and May/June, and once in November/December in 2007.
Over the past 20 years, Susan has collected some very special plants. She has more than 20 varieties of epimedium alone, as well as beautiful hellebores, peonies, rhododendrons, and rare perennials like P. peltatum. “Spotty dotty and Cardiocrinum lily.
lasting impact
Susan’s garden is a truly wonderful example of how good design can stand the test of time. The first magazine article featuring this garden was almost 20 years ago, and looking at my photos you can see that the space has retained its beauty and style.
This garden is truly special. One of the reasons for this is its well-designed layout, creating multiple beautiful spaces. The garden includes three patios, a beautiful wooded side path and three lawn areas. Inside, you’ll notice amazing hardscape details and stunning views.
colorful theme
Many elements of Susan’s garden are timeless, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t experiment a little each year. For example, her color theme this year was deep purple and coral.
The fence is painted dark purple, the front door and stairs are painted orange, and there is a purple doormat. This theme is reflected throughout the garden, where you can see lots of orange and purple flowers scattered throughout.
Susan’s outfit on this day was also purple and orange!
Susan has an overall magic of color. She has gorgeous potted plants on her patio and loves putting up flowers for the hummingbirds.
perfection in every detail
It is rare to find a gardener who pays such attention to detail. She makes small changes every year, but the main components remain the same.
Terracotta pots match the flowers.
During my visit, she picked coral flowers and sat them in the birdbath, which reflected beautifully in the water.
Concrete bird in a bird nest on a branch.
One beautiful thing I couldn’t capture is that the stained glass windows mimic the color and shape of the terracotta pots.
Gardens are Susan’s passion and it shows.
More virtual garden tours
