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Study Weekend Garden Tours - Southeast & North Portland - pt. 1

Despite all the work and hoopla of preparing for our open garden on Monday, I did manage to steal away on Friday and Saturday to visit the gardens in Portland. There were six gardens on Friday, located in the Southeast and North Portland neighborhoods.  Beginning with the first three - Jenn Ferrante garden - Cool and calming, an oasis of serenity with pinks and blues and touches of chartreuse. And a majestic weeping beech. Peter Eastman and Dayrol Griffin garden - another colorful oasis with many tropical touches and a well-executed street border planting. Anne Davis & Miles McCoy garden - This small garden packs quite a punch with borders, potted plants and artistic touches. Check out that pathway! More to come... Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden



The last garden that I want to share from my Washington D.C. trip is the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, part of the Smithsonian Gardens. This tiny garden, located in an alley between the Mall and the neighboring street, exudes charm. It was packed with perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees and each plant was labeled.











Comments

  1. Some alley! That's quite the little jewelbox of a garden. I'd say you had a very successful trip to D.C.

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  2. Another wonderful garden. The hardscape makes this one very different. But it's lovely. What's that thorny-leafed plant? A solanum?

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  3. And are those gigantic castor beans?

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  4. Chuck, I don't know what the thorny plant is. It was labeled but I didn't make a note of it. Those are indeed castor bean plants. Isn't that color wonderful?

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  5. The Ripley Garden is a(mainly) undiscovered gem in D.C. Whenever I'm in the city (3-4 times a yr.) I make it a point to get there. The chief gardener is a delightful, dedicated woman who loves to fill the place with unique plants. She gives tours some afternoons. It's filled with color, unique plants, many fanciful birdhouses, a great fountain, and a place to linger. Great photos.

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  6. That is some beautiful garden but the Garden Photography is even more stunning !

    Beautiful photography !

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  7. thanks for the wonderful images of the Ripley Garden. I am so glad you enjoyed the garden. I have had the pleasure of planting and maintaining the garden for the past 10 years. Yes, the thorny plant is a Solanum -- bonus points to Chuck b. It is Solanum quitoense, otherwise known as Lu-Lu Fruit or Naranjillo. easy to grow from seed -- gets quite massive (and dangerous) in one season.
    all the best - janet draper

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  8. That is one beautiful garden, Phillip. It is so much better than the one on our street because it has a lot of bold foliage, shrubs and textures.

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