After fourteen years of cultivation, Barbara Walum's garden is ready for its close up. Walum's is one of five private gardens featured on the Highline Historical Society's June 12th Highline Garden Tour.

Before she began work on her garden, Walum recalled, the yard featured a single tree in a field of grass, but now "It's Shangri-La for us."

Aiming to evoke memories of her family members, she has placed items that remind her of her parents and grandparents in the garden, including ice skates and snow boots for her Norwegian relatives, her mother's washing machine, and her father's work boots, where plants grow.

"I feel, when I go in my yard, that my family is there," she said.

Her desire to live near the water has also influenced her landscaping choices, leading her to include a pond, stream and waterfall in the garden's design.

In addition, Walum has used ground covers to minimize weed growth, rendering her garden attractive and low-maintenance.

"I never get down on my hands and knees to weed," she noted.

One level provides an outdoor dining area, and another features vegetables, fruit trees, and huckleberries. Asked to identify her favorite plant, she named a beautiful, unique dogwood tree purchased several years ago.

Despite the noise of airplanes from Sea-Tac Airport flight paths, Walum's garden serves as a refuge.

"It just makes me happy," she elaborated.

Another gardener whose property will be featured on the tour, Peter Barton, describes the garden he and his wife Cathy have created as "a labor of love."

Although their yard has been displayed on several other garden tours, this is the first year they have participated in the Highline Historical Society's tour.

Cultivation of the Barton garden began 25 years ago, when the Bartons purchased their Burien home. Although Peter Barton hesitated to name an overarching theme for the garden, he said, "We're into sustainability."

Numerous vegetables, trees and well-established evergreens grow on the property, and meandering pathways encourage visitors to spend time enjoying the plants and scenery.

A greenhouse allows the Bartons to grow vegetables during the winter, and their chickens produce fresh eggs from their garden coop.

Whenever possible, they avoid using chemical fertilizers and produce their own compost.

While they have ventured into the territory of exotic garden vegetables such as artichokes and asparagus, which can be difficult to successfully cultivate, Peter noted that a number of hardy fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, and radishes, are suitable for first-time gardeners.

Growing these plants is "a no-brainer," he said.

Several trips to Europe and Asia have inspired the Barton's garden design. Cathy Barton, a landscape designer, ensures that they visit the best-known gardens wherever they are traveling.

Their garden now reflects the landscape styles of the United Kingdom, Greece, Croatia, Slovakia, and Japan, among other countries.

"You can't help but come back and incorporate something beautiful," Peter said.

Nonetheless, elements of their garden remain distinctly American. Peter mentioned one focal point, "a literally 200-pound locomotive bell that works."

Asked for one piece of advice for new gardeners, he said, "Just go for it. Get a tomato... Enjoy the fruits of your labor."

Tickets for the garden tour include access to the private gardens, the 10.5-acre Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, art displays, musical performances, a documentary screening, coupon specials, master gardener advice, and two plant sales.

Individual tickets will be sold for $15 in advance or $18 on the day of the tour. Groups of four or more may purchase advance tickets for $12.

Tickets may be purchased at Herr Backyard, Burien Bark, or from the Society by telephone at 206-241-5786. All proceeds will benefit the Highline Historical Society.