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Clark County Mini-Tour

It is a rare rainy day here in August (or more accurately, a wet, drizzly day). That means a break from watering and a good chance to catch up on blogging and other computer-related tasks. Before I continue with my England tour highlights, I wanted to share photos from this past Sunday's mini-tour of four gardens here in Clark County (an event sponsored by HPSO - Hardy Plant Society of Oregon). I saw three of the gardens on Sunday. I had already visited the fourth one, Lynne Heidsiek's native habitat garden, when she was part of the Study Weekend tour that we were on.  Our first stop was the marvelous shade garden of Margaret Stapenhorst. A bluestone patio is surrounded by towering mature trees that shade a woodland garden. There was a fern table and a moss garden, as well as garden art by Steve Farris. Loved, loved the waterfall. This is what I'd like to do in our front garden, but I don't know if we have the room. Just a few streets over is the garden of Eloise and Bo...
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Abyssinian gladiolus

Gladiolus murielae  
This is the first time I've grown these bulbs. I just picked them up at Home Depot early in the spring. Gladiolus murielae is also known by a variety of common names including "Peacock Orchid," "Sword Lily," "Acidanthera" and "Fragrant Gladiolus". It is native to the mountain areas of East Africa. They grow about 2 feet tall and bloom in late summer. They are supposedly hardy in our zone (zone 7). So far, not as much profuse bloom as I'd hoped but there has been a scattering of blooms during the past weeks.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. GailSeptember 4, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    That's a lovely flower.

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  2. aquablueroseSeptember 4, 2013 at 11:21 PM

    What a beautiful flower & photo, dear Phillip!!

    Gerri xxoo

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  3. David OliverSeptember 4, 2013 at 11:43 PM

    I like lilies a lot but not sure I like that black in the center. I guess it is black, maybe really dark purple?

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 5, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    Maybe they need a year or so to get established. They do have a pretty bloom.

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  5. sandaSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I discovered these last year and they have quickly become a favorite. My bulbs from last year survived the winter in a pot. I bought more this year and have put some of the bulbs in the ground. I love them because they are fragrant.

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  6. Kylee BaumleSeptember 5, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    I've grown these for years and anxiously await their beautiful fragrance all summer. Love them!

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  7. Shenandoah KeplerSeptember 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Never heard of them, but after your photo, I will start looking for them now! Thanks for the introduction! Best to you!

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  8. UnknownSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    I tried those a few years back,here in Florida.They didn't bloom profusely,but they were beautiful when they did.But they didn't come back the next year.

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  9. Edith KentSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Beautiful blossom. These are new to me and I'm anxious to see some my sister has growing. Great photo....makes me want to try them!

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  10. LostRosesSeptember 5, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    Beautiful, Phillip, I hope they come back for you next year and bloom profusely!

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