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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Laurel Hedge Gardens

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon) 
Last Saturday, we took a long trip to Estacada, Oregon, to visit another open garden - Laurel Hedge. It was well worth the drive. This is the garden of landscape designers Darin Simmons and Matthew Greydanus. There is also a nursery and gift shop on the premises. There was a wonderful birdhouse that I am still kicking myself for not buying.


Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

The extensive gardens cover two acres and have just about everything you can think of - the catalog description reads "a Bamboo garden with tea house, koi pond with rustic pavillon, white-flowering spiral garden, rose garden, hornbeam-lined allee, flower garden with greenhouse and many others". I would add to that - a pond, several water features, statuary, containers, bridges, bird houses, and a beautiful selection of plants.

As we were ooo-ing and ah-ing around every corner, I kept saying to myself - "We are downsizing, remember?" It was all gorgeous and a tremendous amount of work has gone into it. We chatted with Darin Simmons, one of the owners, and he said they do almost all the work themselves!


Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)
Darin says that he is a plant collector and Matthew does most of the design work. I am making it a point to carry a notebook with me from here out because I cannot remember the names of plants afterward. He told us the name of the tree on the left and of course, I have forgotten it. There were numerous stunning hydrangeas.

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)
Mutabalis, one of my favorite roses

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)


Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)

Laurel Hedge Gardens (Estacada, Oregon)
I will close with another stunning dahlia. Dahlias are another plant that seem to do very well here in the Pacific Northwest.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. EveJuly 20, 2016 at 3:54 PM

    Never pass up a good birdhouse! And "downsize" is not in your vocabulary! Thanks for sharing Phillip!

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  2. JCharlierJuly 20, 2016 at 5:50 PM

    This garden is incredible!

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 21, 2016 at 4:53 AM

    This place seems huge. So much packed into the garden beds. It is extraordinary. The birdhouse will give you a reason to return.

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  4. SallysmomJuly 21, 2016 at 8:58 AM

    My, my. I need to have a cup of coffee, a book, and my chair and find a place to sit and read or just relax and take in the beauty. Love this!

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  5. AlisonJuly 21, 2016 at 9:05 AM

    Yes, Dahlias do very well here. I discovered a steep learning curve when I first moved here from Zone 6 Massachusetts. You'll need that notebook.

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  6. danger gardenJuly 21, 2016 at 9:58 PM

    This is a garden I've wanted to visit for quite awhile, sadly still haven't made it to see it in person. Thanks for the photos!

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  7. Endah MurniyatiJuly 21, 2016 at 10:48 PM

    Beautiful garden! I'm glad to find and follow this blog. Thanks for sharing beauties from so many parts of the world.

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  8. outlawgardenerJuly 26, 2016 at 3:03 PM

    This is certainly one of those drool-worthy gardens that make me wish I had a lot more space. Oh well, our little gardens keep us busy enough, right?

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