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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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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
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  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!

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  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..

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  3. JenJuly 10, 2013 at 5:27 PM

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

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  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.

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  5. gardenenvyJuly 10, 2013 at 9:20 PM

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

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

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

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  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.

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  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!!!

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  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.

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  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!

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

    Can a place look any more lush?

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