Skip to main content

Featured

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

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

Comments

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. 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. 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

Post a Comment

Popular Posts