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Anticipation

This is exciting! I have wanted an orange ginger lily for as long as I can remember. I tried growing it in Alabama and never got a bloom. I do have a white ginger ( Hedychium spicatum )  that has had a few blooms. A few years ago, someone told me that 'Tara' is the only one that will reliably bloom here. I don't know if that it true but I finally got one this year (thank you Dancing Oaks!). Planted in April next to our South foundation and given ample water, I can hardly believe it, but it looks like a bloom is imminent - in its first year! I'm holding my breath... Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Portland Japanese Garden

One of the most celebrated gardens in Portland is the Japanese Garden. I visited it last year when I was there in June. On this trip, I went twice. I was anxious to see it with the fall color display but was disappointed on the first visit. There was virtually no color but we overheard an employee tell someone to come back in a week or so. So, I returned just a few days before we departed Portland and the vibrant hues that I was hoping to see had indeed arrived.

At 5.5 acres, the Japanese Gardens seem small and intimate for a public garden. Located on a hillside overlooking the city of Portland and surrounded by comfortable suburban neighborhoods and Washington Park, it is a serene oasis - once you enter the gates, the hustle and bustle of nearby city life is hushed. 

It was heavily overcast on the October days we visited so we missed the lovely city view of Portland with Mount Hood in the background. The gardens, however, were spectacular.

The Rose Garden, located just across the street, was not looking so great after the recent rains but the Japanese Garden is beautiful any time of year and is even a wonderful garden to visit in the rain.   

















 












Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. NicDecember 1, 2014 at 4:06 PM

    My only visit there was in the early summer but it looks as though the garden is just as beautiful in the fall. Those Japanese maples are stunning! Also, the place just always seems so immaculate.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 2, 2014 at 3:17 AM

    I love those colors. It is good that you waited for the right moment to capture them.

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  3. outlawgardenerDecember 2, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    A gorgeous garden and especially spectacular with the fall foliage colors! I must visit in October one of these years!

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  4. sweetbayDecember 10, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    The color and the forms of those Japanese maples is amazing!

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  5. Pam/DiggingDecember 17, 2014 at 9:08 AM

    I saw this garden on two blazing hot and sunny days last summer, just before and during Portland Fling. It was lovely then, but this is spectacular. I would love to see it in full fall color one day. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous images!

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  6. LesDecember 31, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    I am glad you went back, just for a chance to see these photos.

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