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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

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We drove to Woodburn, Oregon (about one hour south of Portland) on Monday to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. Last weekend, over 70,000 people were there! The crowd was not bad at all the day we were there but there was a continuous line of cars coming in as we left. It was quite a spectacular sight.


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Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. What lucious color. I have always wanted to see a spectacle like this.

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  2. We went to the Skagit Valley Tulip festival last weekend (north of Seattle). The dates for the festival are firm even if the weather changes the dates of the floral display--nevertheless, it was peak festival timing. Luckily, we wanted to do other things in the area, anyway. When we got there, the tulips had been "topped" to prevent rain going down the stem and spoiling the bulb. So, if you miss the peak show, it's not like you'll still have plenty of slightly overblown flowers to look at...they level the fields...there's nothing but bare soil! Glad you were able to appreciate a beautiful floral display.

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  3. Oh my! Now I'm a fan of the Holland Michigan Tulip Festival, and I'm going there in a few weeks. But this makes that one look wimpy! Lovely Philip, I'm sure you enjoyed it. Your photos are great!

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  4. What a glorious array of tulips, Phillip! We are expecting a major storm this weekend so I spent some time today gazing at my paltry few before they are squashed by snow. I'm enjoying catching up on your blog since your move. A fresh palette - exciting!

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  5. Wow. I did not know such sights existed outside of the Netherlands! Great shots, Phillip :)

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  6. I love seeing the tulip fields in all of their glory! I'm glad you got to see this and even happier that you shared your great shots with us! Did you get a catalog? Did you select bulbs to order for this fall?

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  7. I love seeing the tulip fields in all of their glory! I'm glad you got to see this and even happier that you shared your great shots with us! Did you get a catalog? Did you select bulbs to order for this fall?

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  8. This looks over-the-top, but in the best way. What an opportunity, and what good photos.

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  9. wow!!!! what a beautiful display!

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  10. WOW! I would have thought you were in Holland; fantastic that this is in Oregon! I guess this means you can grow tulips there. I am jealous, as tulips wimp out after only a year or two in my garden.

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  11. Wow! At first I thought you might have gone to Holland!!!

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  12. So spectacular! Looks just like Holland!

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