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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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Idaho Botanical Gardens, Boise, Idaho

The Idaho Botanical Garden is right next door to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. It was once the farm and nursery for the penitentiary. When the prison closed in 1973, the grounds were unused until the botanical garden was established.

The garden comprises 50 acres (15 of which are in cultivation) in the Boise foothills and is divided into garden rooms and individual areas. There is an English Garden, xeric demonstration garden, alpine garden, children's garden, rose garden, meditation area, water garden, etc. Most of the plants in the garden are donated by industry and corporate partners  throughout Oregon and Idaho.

Parts of the garden run along the stone walls of the prison, giving a castle-like background to the plantings. 

The outer-lying areas of the garden are dedicated to native plants and wilderness trails. The Lewis & Clark Plant Native Plant Garden, opened in 2006,  commemorates the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804-1806). This garden’s goal is to display 145 plant species collected during the expedition between Great Falls, Montana and The Dalles, Oregon. 

The fall color was astounding, especially with the vivid yellows and oranges of witch hazels, ornamental grasses and trees and bright red berries on pyracantha and hollies. 

The gardens also feature garden art by local artists.


The Rose Garden with the prison tower and walls as background.









 










Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 19, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    I love the wild feeling of this garden.

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  2. EveNovember 19, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    So beautiful!! The colors are incredible! Thanks for sharing this trip!!

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  3. danger gardenNovember 19, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    We visited the Idaho Botanical Gardens in 2002(ish?), looks like a lot has changed and I would love to go back soon.

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  4. AaronNovember 20, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    Love the Switch Grasses (I believe) in the 4th photo. Mine looked kinda like that this year. Lovely.

    Aren't pyracanthas great? Wish they were a little less thorny, as I am an accident-prone klutz sometimes. I hear there are thornless (or less thorny) varieties, but apparently they are hard to find...

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  5. Edith KentNovember 20, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    Beautiful Phillip! Makes me want to go so bad. What a wonderful trip!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LesNovember 20, 2014 at 3:39 PM

    I love all the sage and tawny tones.

    ReplyDelete
  7. sweetbayNovember 24, 2014 at 6:48 PM

    I love the shot of the pumpkin patch with the fall colors in the background, and the last one with the sculpture.

    ReplyDelete

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