Perched on Capitol Hill overlooking Lake Union lies a hidden treasure. It is the Streissguth Gardens. Have you ever wondered how such a beautiful space came to be?
The story of the Streissguth Gardens begins with love and a shared passion for gardening. In the 1960s, Daniel Streissguth, an architect, built a house on this steep hillside. Next door, Ann Roth Pytkowicz, a psychologist and avid gardener, cultivated her own green space. Their shared love for gardening brought them together. They married in 1968.
Together, Ann and Daniel merged their gardens. In 1970, their son Ben was born. The three of them expanded and maintained this Capitol Hill oasis. The Streissguth Gardens grew organically over the years. In 1972, the family bought hillside lots south of the Blaine steps. They cleared a path to admire a native trillium. More paths followed. These paths allowed better access for planting. Ben and his friends enjoyed this growing network of trails. The oldest trail became known as the Woodland Path.
From north to south, the Streissguth Gardens are divided into four sections. The first section borders East Blaine Street. This area features perennials and shrubs. Next is the central section. It stretches from the hillside trails to Broadway East. Here, you will find perennials, fruit-bearing shrubs, berries and vegetable beds. Then there is the Rust Garden. It enjoys the best soil and sunlight. Finally, the transition zone connects the gardens to St. Mark’s Greenbelt.
In 1996, the family donated the south lots of the Streissguth Gardens to Seattle. This became public land. It is now part of the St. Mark’s Greenbelt. The Streissguths continue to care for the gardens.
The Streissguth family has cleared jungles of horsetail and wild blackberry. They removed overgrown trees. They carefully designed and planted. They weeded and irrigated to create the gardens.
The Streissguth Gardens embody six principles. A good garden must be in tune with its site. A residential garden should be an extension of the dwelling. A garden should grow incrementally. A good garden demands long-term commitment. Each plant should have meaning to the gardeners. A good garden and its house should be a gift to its neighbors.
Daniel Streissguth passed away in 2020. But his legacy lives on in these beautiful gardens. Ben and his fiancée Jade Takashima are committed to maintaining the gardens. The Streissguth Gardens are more than just a garden. They are a testament to family, love, and community. They are a gift to Seattle. Take a stroll. Discover the beauty and serenity of this unique urban oasis.