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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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"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines) (Judy & Roger McElhaney Garden)

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington  
The second garden we toured on Sunday is the creation of Roger & Judy McElhaney. It is a large garden, a labyrinth of winding paths that showcase a collection of conifers, Japanese maples and various shrubs and trees. It was quite spectacular. Many of the plants were labeled and I should have been taking notes.

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington
This was one of my favorite views in the garden. Absolute perfection!
  "Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington  

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington
Ninebark (Physocarpus) is on my wishlist.

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington
There were a number of hydrangeas in the garden. This is an unusual one that we grew
in our Alabama garden. Hydrangea aspera (if I am not mistaken).

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington
We saw a number of Gingko trees. I am sure the garden owners are collectors. I did not know
there were so many different varieties.

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington
There were also several different varieties of Smoke Tree (Cotinus).

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington

"Matsu Kaze" (Wind in the Pines), Roger & Judy McElhaney garden, Vancouver, Washington  
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. rebeccaJune 14, 2016 at 7:35 PM

    Beautiful pictures of a beautiful garden. What a treat. I especially loved the Ginkgo's.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EveJune 14, 2016 at 7:47 PM

    No words but stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlisonJune 14, 2016 at 8:01 PM

    What a lovely, peaceful garden. That's a very pretty ninebark. Thanks for sharing your photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chickadee GardensJune 14, 2016 at 8:03 PM

    Stunning! Thank you for the photos, I must visit this garden someday. Lots of take-away ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tatyana@MySecretGardenJune 15, 2016 at 10:43 AM

    Absolutely beautiful! Thank you Phillip!

    ReplyDelete
  6. KeityJune 16, 2016 at 7:30 AM

    What a nice post! This is surely well-designed Japanese garden! Most of the plants here are common in Japan, but I've never seen the Hydrangea aspera:) It's lovely! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AaronJune 16, 2016 at 4:14 PM

    Wow.

    Love the smokebush.

    And all the other plants, of course :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. LarryJune 17, 2016 at 6:26 AM

    So much textural interest Philip... exactly the style of garden that I most enjoy visiting.... thanks for sharing! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hoover BooJune 19, 2016 at 3:09 PM

    Wow, yeah. Awesome. Want! That! Garden! Not that any of it would grow in my climate.

    And excellent photos, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. RobinLJune 20, 2016 at 5:47 PM

    I'm in awe of all that green! We've entered our usual summer dry spell a bit early this year, and the lawn is already burned up. I've already forgotten how lovely that deep, rich green can be. There were two other shocks you showed me above, the ninebark and smoke tree. I have both of those, and they look NOTHING like that! Just plain wow.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lisa at GreenbowJune 23, 2016 at 11:09 AM

    How wonderful to have a property large enough that you can spread out all those big trees and shrubs. It looks great.

    ReplyDelete

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