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The Newt (Somerset, England)

After Stourhead , the second garden on the tour that day was "The Newt". Talk about a change in garden styles! As I review my photos, I can appreciate the beauty and style of this garden, but I must confess, it was one of my least favorites.  I remember mostly the heat (it was one of our warmer days), the glaring sun with few trees in sight, and the commercial feel of the whole enterprise. But then again, this was mainly a vegetable garden and I was having an "off" day (I had just toured Stourhead, where I missed some of the main landmarks). The entrance took us through an area with gift shops and display areas (nice thing about photos is you see things you missed - I had not noticed the intricate ceiling design) - We did have an actual tour guide at this one, and he led us through the entire garden - Down a winding, blinding white walkway, towards the large vegetable garden - Leaving one vegetable garden, we headed up a grassy avenue with water features.  Along th...

Open Garden - The Wisner / Orloff garden


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.

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.


























Comments

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

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  5. 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. 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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  7. 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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  8. Bravo on the pic of the blue sculpture with the grasses. Well done!

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

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