Chase Garden is an outstanding example of Pacific Northwest modernist garden style. This 4.5-acre garden artfully combines Japanese and midcentury design with the naturalistic look of a Pacific Northwest woodland landscape. Located in Orting, Washington, the garden sits on a bluff overlooking the grand vista of the Puyallup River Valley, the forested Cascade foothills, and an unforgettable view of Mount Rainier. Over more than forty years, beginning in the 1960s, Emmott and Ione Chase built a creative interpretation of the natural landscape, planting drifts of rock garden plants inspired by Mount Rainier’s wildflower fields.
Since 1994, the Garden Conservancy has partnered first with the Chases, and later with dedicated volunteers and staff, to preserve this important site. When the garden was bequeathed to the Garden Conservancy in 2010, stewardship efforts continued with the goal of creating a locally managed public garden. In 2018, after efforts to transfer operations to a local organization were not successful, the property was purchased by passionate local gardeners. Although now privately owned, a conservation easement held by the Garden Conservancy ensures the garden’s preservation and requires it to be open to the public at least twice a year.
The Conservancy continues to monitor the conservation easement annually, which was expanded in 2017 to provide greater protection. A maintenance plan capturing the Chases' care philosophy has been completed, and comprehensive documentation of the garden’s history and design has been undertaken.
Timeline
2018
The Chase Garden is purchased by local gardeners who are passionate about preserving the legacy of Ione and Emmott Chase. As required by the conservation easement, the garden will remain open to the public at least twice annually.
2017
The Garden Conservancy expands and strengthens the conservation easement and begins documentation of the garden. After exploring partnerships with local organizations for many years, the garden is closed for regular public visitation on June 30 and listed for sale.
2016
The Garden Conservancy hosts a Society of Fellows garden-study tour, with programming led by garden writer Steve Lorton. A fundraiser and wine-tasting is held with Seattle garden personality Ciscoe Morris. Chase Garden is featured in Pacific Horticulture magazine and the Garden Collage blog.
2015
The garden's first director is appointed. Highway signage and billboards are installed, a new cedar shake roof is added, and new visitor programs are launched.
2012
New summer garden and fern border plantings are installed. The garden serves as a meeting site for the Garden Conservancy Northwest Network workshop.
2010
Emmott Chase passes away at the age of 99. Per the wishes of the Chases, the garden becomes a public site owned and managed by the Garden Conservancy.
2008
Chase Garden opens for regular public visitation.
2006
Ione Chase passes away at the age of 97.
2005
The Handbook of Garden Beds is completed, detailing the garden's design and maintenance practices.
2002
The New York Times features Chase Garden, describing its contours as seeming to "soar off the edge of a cliff and across the valley to Mount Rainier, 14 miles away."
2001
Garden Conservancy Fellow Caroline Eells assists Ione Chase with garden maintenance. A preservation strategy and feasibility study for developing the garden as a public space are completed.
1998
A friends group forms to promote public support and visitation. The Garden Conservancy begins managing the garden and hiring staff.
1995
Chase Garden becomes a preservation project of the Garden Conservancy. A conservation easement is accepted, protecting the site’s scenic and ecological value in perpetuity.
1962
Landscape architect Rex Zumwalt completes the garden’s design. Emmott and Ione Chase begin constructing paths, mixing concrete themselves, composting brush, and planting over 1,000 Noble firs, pines, shrubs, and perennials.
1959
The Chases move into their new home, designed by architect K. Walter Johnson. They complete all the interior finishing work themselves.
1956
Following land clearing and sale of some acreage, the garden site is finalized at 4.5 acres.
1943
Ione and Emmott Chase purchase 12 acres of woodland near Orting, Washington, where both had grown up.
