Skip to main content

Featured

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 ...
3 comments
Read more
Labels

Shakespeare Garden (at the Portland Rose Test Garden)



Near the bottom of the hill and off to the side of the Portland International Rose Test Garden is the Shakespeare Garden. There is a bust of Shakespeare under the archway in the above photo and I forgot to get a close-up of it. This charming little garden is filled with plants that appear in Shakepeare's works (ferns, hosta, hydrangea, boxwood, banana trees, fuchsias, calla lilies, etc.). Small weddings are often held here and it is easy to see why.

Notice the crow. There are crows all over Portland. I was bullied by one in the neighborhood where we stayed but that is another story.
Those shrub-sized fuchsias again!
 

 
 


 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. CarolJuly 10, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    As always lovely photos. The hostas are glorious. I wish I could get mine to grow that big. We do need to hear the story of the crow! Enjoy the rest of your week. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sue EllenJuly 10, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Such a beautiful garden!!. Love the hosta and ferns. I don't think I have seen a list of plants for a Shakespeare garden, so glad you included it..

    ReplyDelete
  3. JenJuly 10, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    Yeah, I can see why people were saying you would not want to leave... gorgeous garden!

    ReplyDelete
  4. David OliverJuly 10, 2013 at 7:47 PM

    Once again, it is all pretty. The banana tree looks a bit out of place to me but the crow looks right at home.

    ReplyDelete
  5. gardenenvyJuly 10, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Photo 3 is my favorite, such a beautiful garden. Jeannine

    ReplyDelete
  6. danger gardenJuly 10, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    Wait, we have more crows than other places? And one bullied you? Very interesting...

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJuly 11, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    Beautiful photos. It looks like a lovely place to visit. I love the contrasting foliage between the ferns and the hosta.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Donald's GardenJuly 11, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    Awwww These images make me want to be in COOL Oregon and out of HOT Texas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    It's so true, I don't know why the crows around here are so aggressive, the ones in our neighborhood are ridiculous! I've always been confused why there are bananas in that garden...they seem to incongruous with the "Shakespeare" theme.

    ReplyDelete
  10. tinaJuly 12, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    Wow it's beautiful! One day I hope to travel the the pacific northwest I hear and see it is supposed to be a gardener's mecca! I can see why!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 12, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    Can a place look any more lush?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts