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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Portland International Rose Test Garden


I was excited about seeing the Portland International Rose Test Garden and it did not disappoint. The roses were absolutely stunning! I've never seen blooms the size they were - I'm not sure what they feed them with but it certainly works. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed. I stopped by again when I revisited the Japanese Garden (they are located right next to each other).

Portland International Rose Trial Garden

One thing that did surprise me was that I didn't see many old roses being grown in Portland. I guess I was just not looking in the right place. In this garden, I did expect to see mostly hybrid teas.  They were amazing and I wonder how they grow so well since the climate is damp and rainy most of the year - surely powdery mildew is a problem?


The rose garden is perfectly positioned on a bluff overlooking the city. A series of terraces are laid out on the hillside. I love terraces.


 There were a few archways in the garden. The one above is covered with the rose "Dortmund", a rose that I used to grow.

There were also a few pillars. This one is covered with the climbing rose "Eden".


Most of the roses were displayed in generic rose beds but there was one section where they were inter-planted with ferns.




Interesting, right? You would never see this combination in Alabama. If you did try this, the ferns would be burnt toast in no time.







I have some individual rose shots of some interesting varieties that I will share in an upcoming post.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Cerberus German shepherdsJune 27, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    Can I be any more jealous..... I bet the weather was 100 times better than here.

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  2. JenJune 27, 2013 at 8:08 PM

    That Eden rose is spectacular. Too bad it doesn't sound like a great plant from the brief reading I did, because that picture makes me want one bad!

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowJune 28, 2013 at 3:34 AM

    Out there it looks like they can plant them any ole way and they grow and bloom. Here the black spot would devour them. We must have a different kind of humidity. For one thing they bake until well done. Love all the color. Can't wait to see the up close photos.

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  4. ProfessorRoushJune 28, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    I've seen them and know what you mean about bloom size...and fullness as well. In Portland, I didn't recognize roses that grow in my own garden. Eden, for example, is a stinker for me...should have been shovel pruned years ago.

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  5. Lynn HuntJune 28, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Those roses are beautiful, Phillip. I am about to do a posting about the Biltmore International Rose Trials. Love that Dortmund. An oldie but still a goodie!

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  6. David OliverJune 28, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    The photo of the Eden rose is most impressive. It looks white to me but I suspect it is light pink. Maybe it just photographs well but if it looks that good in person, I would want to stand and stare at it for awhile.

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  7. UnknownJune 30, 2013 at 6:16 AM

    How beautiful! I've heard that the Pacific Northwest is one of the best places in the country to grow roses, but I would have thought what you did about powdery mildew and the climate. Lovely pics, thanks for sharing.

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  8. RobinLJune 30, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Wow, that post made me drool! Every time I see a public rose garden, I always wonder how the keep away black spot.

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  9. Nadia@LOVELIVEANDGARDEN.COMJuly 7, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    Eden is definitely a head turner.. as is one of my favorites: red eden. Beautiful pictures. I love posts about Garden tours.

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  10. LesJuly 12, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    I am enjoying all of your Portland posts and wanted to thank you. I know the Garden Blogger's Fling will be there next year, but unless a pile of money falls on me I doubt I will make it. It looks like you hit the rose garden at its peak, and your photos make the best of it.

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