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More South Portland Study Weekend Gardens, pt. 2

The last three gardens on last Saturday's tour included a large shade garden, a tropical oasis and an Asian-inspired retreat. First, the Hilderbrand garden in Oregon City. This garden is set in a grove of Douglas Fir trees and has paved pathways that meander through plantings of dogwoods, hydrangeas, viburnums, kalmias and other shade-loving plants.  The garden of Michael Hicks and Megan Big John is a quarter-acre plot in West Linn. This garden is packed with plantings of tropical plants with big beautiful leaves and vibrant pops of color. Helena Wagner's "4 Seasons Garden" is a garden that I have visited in the past. It features an Asian-inspired theme with beautifully placed plants, with nice colors and contrasts. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Blankets of snow



What? Snow in September? Not quite, but Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis ternifolia) reminds me of it as drapes over hedges and mailboxes across town. It always pops up in our garden unannounced and usually in unwelcome places. For example, the hedge in the above photo runs along the street and encloses a tiny vegetable garden. I always see the clematis scampering about it during the summer and I usually just yank it out since this hedge has to be trimmed about every four or five weeks. I don't know how it escaped me this year but when it started to bloom, it was too pretty to pull it out.



The vines are covered with these tiny star-shaped flowers and will reach distances of 20-30 feet if given the opportunity. It thrives here, in sun or shade, and is very drought tolerant. I'm always digging up seedlings and sharing them. It grows fast and can easily cover an arbor or gazebo in a season. It can be cut back all the way to the ground in the fall or the following spring.



In addition to a beautiful show, the vine has an intoxicating sweet smell!
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  1. GailSeptember 3, 2008 at 8:17 PM

    I was going to warn you but you already know it's charms and problems! It is really beautiful...I haven't any in bloom this year, but still there are seedlings everywhere!

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2008 at 4:50 AM

    I've never had this re-seed so it must be a climate issue. It does look like a dusting of snow but that brings snow to mind and I just can't think of that right now!

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 4, 2008 at 5:03 AM

    My Autumn Clematis doesn't seed itself either. I love the way it 'snows' this time of year. Yours looks lovely in the hedge.

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  4. DaveSeptember 4, 2008 at 5:59 AM

    It's a nice looking plant too bad it can be problematic. I was given one in the spring but never planted it, more out of laziness than anything else!

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  5. tinaSeptember 4, 2008 at 7:06 AM

    I think it looks kind of neat in the hedge. Snow is a good comparison.

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  6. Roses and LilacsSeptember 4, 2008 at 7:11 AM

    Beautiful, one of my favorites. I wish mine did a better job of seeding itself. I have one growing in an impossible spot--a seam between sidewalk and garage. I fear it isn't doing well and I will never be able to get another to grow there.
    Marnie

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  7. SkeeterSeptember 4, 2008 at 9:23 AM

    I saw lots of this "snow" while in TN last weekend. I dont see much of it around here in GA. Hum, wonder why...?... Maybe that invasive issue..

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  8. CosmoSeptember 6, 2008 at 1:22 PM

    It's one of my favorites. Mine does self-seed, but pretty discreetly--I never get more than I can find homes for. One did grow up through a camellia this year--I'm letting it bloom and then I'll move it in the spring. The scent is wonderful.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2008 at 4:07 PM

    Me too, Phillip. I just wrote about it a few days ago. It is kind of a nightmare, but so pretty when it blooms.~~Dee

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  10. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2008 at 4:54 PM

    I love this vine. Mine is blooming profusely, too. It grows wild in the woods around here and is such a wonderful sign of early fall. Reminds me of confederate jasmine which blooms in the spring.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  11. chuck b.September 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM

    Since I've been reading garden blogs, I've learned this is one of those plants that people grow everywhere but not so much in California. I see it for sale now and then, but I've never seen it in an actual garden. Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is the other one I read a lot about this time of year.

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  12. Philip BewleySeptember 8, 2008 at 4:24 AM

    It is too pretty to pull out. And fragrance to boot!

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  13. Linda LundaSeptember 8, 2008 at 10:43 PM

    Just Betiful!
    Thanks for a werry nice blog!
    I vill be back!
    Linda

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