A visit to Chickadee Gardens
I was excited to finally get to see Chickadee Gardens last week. I have followed Tamara's blog for years. She and her husband garden on 2 acres in Saint Helens, Oregon. When you look at the map, it appears that St. Helens is directly across the Columbia River and slightly to the north of us. However, there is no convenient bridge to get over to the Oregon side. You must go north to Ridgefield, Washington (about 30 minutes north of our house) and go across there or travel through Portland and then go north through Scappoose. Either way, it is about a 45 minute drive. I decided to try the Ridgefield route and I was glad I did. Not only did I not have to contend with Portland traffic (it was Rose Parade weekend), I got to see country on the Oregon side that was new to me. Tamara used to work at the beautiful Joy Creek Nursery (my favorite, but alas they are now closed) and she now works part-time at Cistus Nursery. She focuses on native plants and sustainabili...
Another garden to take away your breath. I think if I would have had on flip flops I would have tested the mosaics. They are a marvel in themselves. Can't imagine how much time it took to make those floors. Those swoopy roof lines make me smile. I know they have a name for that architecture but it doesn't come to mind right now.
ReplyDeleteOh, Phillip, thank you for the wonderful photos! I recently read 10 books written by Pearl S. Buck who loved China where she grew up and lived many years. I truly enjoyed your beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteOh my. The weeping willows and those stone paths. Just lovely
ReplyDeleteI just walked by the neighbor's Confederate Jasmine on the way to work...heaven!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos! Very rich in colors and textures. And a lovely garden. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you are to have been able to see this. I like your comment about recognizing Chinese plants in your own garden. When you thing about southern gardens and where the plants originated, we definitely owe more to Asia than we do to Europe.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of embarrassed to admit you had me looking at this garden I've visited many times in a new way. And to think it was only because you walked the path in the opposite direction. Guess what I'm going to do ASAP!
ReplyDeleteDanger garden - would you believe I didn't realize I had walked it backward until later when I looked at the map they gave me? That will teach me to read my literature first! But I don't think it made a difference. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, wow, that is an amazing garden and your photos of it are spectacular! I love the fact that it is located in the middle of the City of Portland. How nice for the Portlandians to have an oasis like this at there finger tips.
ReplyDeleteChristina
An incredible garden! It's embarrassing that I only live abut a 2 1/2 hour drive away and I've not visited it. Your gorgeous pictures have made me decide to rectify that!
ReplyDeleteThe pebble mosaics are fantastic. I agree that they make me want to take my shoes off and walk on them barefoot. I visited this garden almost 15 years ago, when I was barely 20. I only dabbled in gardening then and don't think I knew how truly beautiful it really is.
ReplyDeleteWOOOW! I'm out of words to describe it..
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