About

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The Lim Garden is a private 1-acre residential garden and micro-nursery located in the Cottage Lake area of Woodinville, WA.  Collectible rare and uncommonly seen plants are a specialty, along with plants that thrive in woodland shade and understory.

Gardening was never on my radar until a random idea in 2017 to dig a BBQ pit in the backyard of my childhood home escalated into a full-fledged dive into the world of horticulture.

An intense fascination with plants and a drive to create a personal sanctuary quickly snowballed. Starting with land that had been wild woodland since logging came through in the 1890s (and remained relatively untouched over the 40 years my family lived there), I spent nearly two years laboring on the bones of the garden alone. To fill the space, plant lust took over, and endless scouring of every plant sale and far-flung nursery consumed my time.  The next natural step was a deep dive into propagation and growing, leading to the establishment of the nursery in 2022.

The garden hosts approximately 2,500 species and cultivars, showcasing numerous rare gems and recently debuted plants. Foliage, form, and healthy natural density are the overall unifiers.  Blooms are seasonal highlights and botanical curiosities, but broad swaths of complementary colors are not the goal. Notable collections include Aucuba, Ligularia, Aspidistra, Polygonatum, Disporum, ferns, and broadleaf evergreens.

The varied topography fosters numerous microclimates and light variations. The many mature cedars and firs have posed challenges and taught many lessons about what's possible under and around our PNW giants.

The garden is young but evolving and maturing with each passing season.  It reflects my rapid journey in horticulture and continues to be an experiment and personal expression.  I hope to contribute to a community of passionate gardeners and share the joy my garden has brought me.

Hope to see you in the garden soon!

Alex Lim