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A Visit to Cistus Nursery

I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
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Open Garden - The Wisner / Orloff garden

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR) 
Believe it or not, I had not been to any of the Open Gardens this year, that is, until yesterday. I knew I would be kicking myself at the end of the season if I didn't see some of the incredible private gardens that are open every weekend and Monday evenings on the HPSO (Hardy Plant Society of Oregon) Open Gardens Tour. I spent yesterday afternoon and evening touring 3 beautiful gardens.

The first garden is Flicker Farm, the creation of Linda Wisner and Chet Orloff. It is located on pastoral Sauvie Island, just outside the St. Johns area of Portland. It is an incredible place, filled with farms, orchards, a great nursery (Cistis) and calming idyllic properties like this one.

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

The garden is comprised of 1.3 acres and features lush perennials, herbs and vegetables, sculpture, artwork and a wonderfully inviting courtyard underneath a grape-covered pergola. The garden was recently featured in Country Gardens magazine.


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
The courtyard/dining area just behind the house. The grape vine hanging overhead was covered with grapes.


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
Beyond the courtyard are strolling areas filled with lush perennials and vegetable gardens.


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
The Yuccas were immense!


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
There are numerous vegetable gardens, all artfully done.


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
A nice array of art work and sculptures - some of these were the work of Portland artist Ray Huston - I am not sure if this was one of them.


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)

Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
A touch of the whimsical as well


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
The gardens in front were shadier, full of places to relax and enjoy the views


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)



Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
I thought Mimosa trees only got this big in the South. I was wrong!


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
I love the pairing of the Chocolate Mimosa with Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra)


Wisner/Orloff garden (Sauvie Island, OR)
I am late to the Open Gardens this year but this was a great way to kick it off. I can't wait to see more.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. GRACE PETERSONJuly 11, 2017 at 4:08 PM

    Yeah I'd say you started off with a bang. That is a fabulous garden. I love the Mimosa and Filipendula. You got the angle just right to complement both with the blue sky behind it. Very nice.

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  2. organicgardendreamsJuly 11, 2017 at 5:16 PM

    Hi Phillip, this is a great garden! I especially love your second photo of it and the last with the lavender poppy. I have been to plenty of open gardens on our England vacation, but none so far here in San Diego. Your are so right, it would be sad not to see some local ones this year. So I will try to find out which are open in the near future.
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 11, 2017 at 5:58 PM

    What a colorful garden. I have the Country Gardens Magazine. I hardly recognize the place. Your photos show off the place much better than the magazine did. I can't wait to see more. Do share.

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  4. outlawgardenerJuly 12, 2017 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks for sharing this gorgeous garden! I love Sauvie Island. Do you suppose the owners would mind if we moved into their garden?

    ReplyDelete
  5. RobinLJuly 12, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    Your photos are certainly doing justice to this lovely garden! Every time I see these showpiece gardens, I immediately wonder how they care for that much space!

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  6. rebeccaJuly 12, 2017 at 3:32 PM

    Oh my.

    So glad you got to go

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 12, 2017 at 11:13 PM

    Thank you for sharing. Like you I haven't visited gardens this year but finally got around to it this week so glad I did

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  8. GailJuly 13, 2017 at 5:25 AM

    Every weekend you can see a beautiful garden! You have moved to paradise! So loved this garden tour and look forward to any more you share.

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  9. AaronJuly 13, 2017 at 7:16 PM

    Bravo on the pic of the blue sculpture with the grasses. Well done!

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  10. RebeccaJuly 14, 2017 at 2:27 PM

    Everything looks so green and lush. Just beautiful! What a wonderful open garden program. I'll have to investigate if there is something similar here.

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  11. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningJuly 15, 2017 at 4:54 PM

    These gardens are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing.

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