Thriving Tropical Forest Garden in a Washington Greenhouse

When you hear “jungle” and “Washington,” your mind might drift to the misty rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula: towering firs, mossy branches, and sword ferns. That’s certainly there. But hidden above Newman Lake is another kind of jungle, a vibrant forest garden inside a Washington greenhouse, blooming with unexpected life.

Behind Carleen’s hillside home stands a 22-foot Growing Dome greenhouse. From the outside, it looks simple. But step through the door, and you’re instantly transported into a world alive with fragrance, color, and warmth. This isn’t just gardening. It’s a year-round tropical escape.

An Exotic Forest Garden Above the Lake

Inside the dome, every inch bursts with life. Plumeria blossoms are on the cusp of bloom, ready to release their exotic perfume. Passionflowers spiral like purple fireworks, while strawberry guava trees bask in filtered sunlight. Ginger, lemons, limes, even a lanky avocado, thrive in layered harmony.

Plumeria

Ginger

Cucumbers

Passionflower

This thriving ecosystem reflects the soul of its gardener. Tucked into the greenery, a hammock sways; an open invitation to rest among the leaves. Strawberries nestle in raised beds, rosemary perfumes the air, and cucumbers hang like vines in a rainforest.

Carleen’s vertical growing method mirrors the structure of a natural forest garden. Thanks to the dome’s geodesic shape, plants have ample room to grow in a multi-tiered layout: lemons and avocados form the upper canopy, grapes and guava fill the middle, and herbs and strawberries spread below. Every layer is intentional, every inch productive.

A Forest Garden Built with Intention and Grit

This greenhouse didn’t appear by magic. Carleen discovered Growing Spaces while researching temporary greenhouse solutions. Instead of settling, she invested in a permanent structure strong enough to endure Washington winters and support her tropical dreams.

The terrain posed a challenge as her land slopes steeply and is filled with tall evergreens. So she carved a flat pad, reinforced it with a retaining wall, and hauled gravel and soil by tractor. Strut by strut, and polycarbonate panel by panel, she assembled the dome herself with the help of friends and family, sometimes after long shifts at the firehouse.

Inside, the above-ground pond provides a home for her koi, goldfish, and algae eaters. Heated and aerated, the pond is the dome’s tranquil heart. A dehumidifier balances moisture levels. A heater that only kicks on occasionally keeps the dome temperature steady at 50°F during the cruel winter chill.

The Humble Invitation That Said It All

When we first connected, Carleen was almost apologetic about her greenhouse. “It doesn’t look like the others,” she told me. “It’s not perfect. But the backdrop is pretty. It overlooks a lake.”

There was something in her tone, a mix of humility and quiet pride, that made me pause. She wasn’t selling me on a showpiece. She wasn’t listing rare plants or technical specs. Instead, she spoke like someone who had poured herself into a place not for attention, but for love. And that made me want to see it even more.

In my experience, the people who downplay their spaces, who think their gardens are too messy or too personal or too different to share, those are often the ones who have created something truly magical. Something rooted in intuition rather than instruction. Something alive. Carleen’s timid nature didn’t mask a lack of effort; it revealed the depth of it. Her dome wasn’t curated to impress. It was built to serve, to heal, to nourish, and that made all the difference.

A Living Reflection of the Gardener Herself

Carleen is a 23-year firefighting veteran, mostly as a volunteer, someone deeply rooted in service, grit, and generosity. Somehow, outside of long shifts at the firehouse, she still finds time to keep bees, nurture three outdoor gardens, and give back to her community, not to mention raise two teenagers. She is, in every way, a force of nature.

Her greenhouse reflects that same spirit: practical, beautiful, and unapologetically personal. When I first stepped onto her sloping yard shaded by evergreens, I spotted the dome standing proudly above the lake. The moment I entered, I could feel it. This wasn’t just a collection of plants; it was a reflection of a life fully lived.

Her philosophy is refreshingly simple: “I only grow things I like.” That means no kale and no guilt. She’s tried papayas (not great), embraced figs (wonderful and sweet), and gives every plant a three-year lease: produce or pack your bags. The result is a joyful, productive forest garden where every leaf earns its place, and every decision feels rooted in curiosity and joy rather than obligation.

This Washington greenhouse is proof that you don’t need a formal plan or perfect aesthetics to build something special. It’s functional, personal, and built entirely on Carleen’s terms; a place that thrives because it reflects her way of growing, not anyone else’s. And that, more than anything, is what makes it worth sharing.