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Stepping Into May

Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early. The rhododendrons are beginning now - 'Mandarin Lights' 'Jean Marie De Montague' 'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it. A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine ( Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8".  It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but ...
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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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