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The Garden Awakens

Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
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Lan Su Chinese Garden




This treasure box of a garden sits on one block in the midst of downtown Portland. Once you are inside, the outside bustle of the real world seems to melt away. I absolutely loved this garden and you will have to forgive this photo-heavy post. Every step and every turn revealed a postcard vista.

The name of the garden is interpreted as "Garden of Awakening Orchids". The name represents the relationship between Portland and Suzhou, Portland's sister city in China's Jiangsu province.

The garden was created in 2000 on a parking lot donated by Northwest Natural. Most of the materials used in the creation of the garden came from China, including 500 tons of rock. Sixty-five artisans from Suzhou lived in Portland for 10 months while they assembled the structures that were made in China. More than 300 plant species that are found in traditional Chinese gardens grow here. Lan Su is considered the most authentic garden outside of China.





 


 

 

















 



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 18, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    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.

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  2. Barbee'June 18, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Oh, 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.

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  3. CarolJune 18, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Oh my. The weeping willows and those stone paths. Just lovely

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  4. scottweberpdxJune 18, 2013 at 2:16 PM

    I just walked by the neighbor's Confederate Jasmine on the way to work...heaven!

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  5. UnknownJune 18, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    What lovely photos! Very rich in colors and textures. And a lovely garden. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  6. LesJune 18, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    How 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.

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  7. danger gardenJune 18, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    I'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!

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  8. Phillip OliverJune 19, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    Danger 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. :)

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  9. organicgardendreamsJune 19, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Hi 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.
    Christina

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  10. outlawgardenerJune 19, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    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!

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  11. Lisa BlairJune 21, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    The 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.

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  12. AnonymousJune 23, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    WOOOW! I'm out of words to describe it..

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