Blue Chip Lofts truly for the birds

There is a hidden jewel in downtown Spokane. Not very many folks know about it, but a whole lot of birds are probably quite thankful for it.

I’m speaking of the courtyard garden at the Blue Chip Lofts condominiums on Railroad Avenue, built as part of a warehouse conversion in 2003.

The residents share a courtyard owned by Jim Kolva that is 25 feet wide by 75 feet long. They knew they wanted to do something special with that space so they looked to Kay Stoltz for design ideas.

“As soon as they found out I was a Master Gardener, I got the job,” Stoltz says with a laugh. “One of the original owners also loved to garden so she and I designed it together.”

Their goals were to create an outdoor space that the residents would find calm and serene. Stoltz says the main challenge was “finding plants that do well in containers and to provide continuity between the sunny and shady parts of the garden.”

They are growing perennials, vegetables, herbs, cactus, succulents and annuals. The trees they have planted include American hornbeams, honey locusts and Japanese maples.

Kolva has been a driving force in recycling materials for use in the courtyard garden.

“Whenever I see things (around town) being loaded up to go to the dump, I just cringe,” he says.

A focal point in the garden is a sculpture made from recycled metal from the Steam Plant. Kolva and the residents also have recycled old bricks for planters as well as metal screens that hang on the courtyard walls and have vines growing on them.

“In addition, there are potters next door so we use what they discard as garden art,” Stoltz says.

Once the garden started coming together, the residents decided they wanted to establish a wildlife sanctuary within it.

“It was a philosophical idea, first,” Stoltz explains, “and they are fun. The swallows are great to watch. They seem to be taking turns in the birdhouses with the sparrows.”

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife set up the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program in an effort to help offset habitat loss that occurs when property is developed. According to its website, the department “wants to help you understand and appreciate the wildlife around your home.”

For $5, you can get a Backyard Sanctuary Packet which contains information on landscape design that will attract birds and butterflies. It includes plant lists, birdhouse design tips, a list of helpful references and instructions on how to correctly place plants.

Stoltz hopes that when the trees in the courtyard get taller, they will attract even more birds, as will the containers of plants grown on the residents’ balconies.

They planted trees for perches, vines for cover and flowers for nectar. They even used some of the discarded pottery to make birdbaths.

Stoltz researched which plants would be best suited for a wildlife sanctuary as well as the proper placing of the plants and birdbaths.

The project has provided the residents with a sense of community because they share in the gardening chores.

“I have seven waterers who are all very faithful. They share in the clean-up in fall and spring, and they share in the veggies and herbs,” Stoltz says.

What is her favorite aspect of the garden?

“It is my therapy,” she says. “I love puttering around and I love thinking of new ways to decorate it.”