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Waterwise Gardening - a book review

Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need To Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard by Richard Restuccia Published by Rizzoli, 2025 I would guess that watering is the major issue that most gardeners grapple with, especially novice gardeners. I know from working at the nursery that the majority of questions and issues we get stem from either watering too much or not watering enough.  Many people in our area have sprinkler systems and I'm sure that can be a good thing if used properly but I feel that they primarily keep the lawns green but fall short for landscape plants. Especially when it comes to trees and larger plants, the timing and amounts are not satisfactory for many plants. I often hear people say that their sprinklers are set to come on every day - yikes! And there are those who did not water because it "rained" when it actually drizzled.  The best thing to do in this situation is to have a xeric garden but that would mean sacrificing favorite plant...
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Open Gardens: The Beadell Garden

Beadell garden (Portland, OR) 
While visiting the Hardiman garden, I did not realize that their next-door neighbor, Kurt Beadell, had an equally impressive garden open as well. Stepping through the garden gate at the back of Hardiman's garden leads you into Beadell's tropical-like oasis. It was like being transported to New Orleans.

This is a very small garden, packed with lush plantings, like palms, bamboo and other exotic plants and vines. 
Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
Pathways and steps beckon
 
Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
The garden gate that leads from one great garden to another


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
I sometimes have nightmares about Houtuynia cordata (Chameleon Plant). I would never grow it again but it looks quite tame and happy here.


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
This garden is clearly a spectacular site for entertaining.


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)

Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
The narrow side garden that winds around the house.


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
I absolutely LOVE these doors.


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)
The front of the house


Beadell garden (Portland, OR)


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 29, 2017 at 5:45 AM

    Lush and lovely. I like the way the white hydrangea screams look at me in the shade. Love all the blue. I am still in my blue phase.

    ReplyDelete
  2. outlawgardenerJuly 29, 2017 at 6:56 AM

    Wow! Love this garden. The doors, seating areas, fab plants, the whole thing is just yummy. Clever use of the potted orange begonias to echo the colors on the house. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MulchMaidJuly 29, 2017 at 7:00 AM

    What a lovely small garden. I too worry about Houttuynia. It's usually bent on world domination, but seems quite controlled here. Thanks for the lush tour!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlisonJuly 29, 2017 at 7:35 AM

    I know I saw this garden as well, a couple of years ago, when I saw Lucy's on a tour. Your photos of it are wonderful! I should look back over my pictures, I don't remember it being so lush and colorful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. GailJuly 29, 2017 at 8:04 AM

    Gorgeous! I wish more gardens were this delightfully creative with color and plantings.

    ReplyDelete
  6. danger gardenJuly 29, 2017 at 8:26 AM

    I had the opportunity to spend an evening here with the HPSO board when Fergus Garrett was in town last summer. It was magical! The interior of their home is pretty fabulous too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. chavlinessJuly 29, 2017 at 9:59 AM

    The front of the house is wonderful. I love the veranda and the eye popping colors.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 3, 2017 at 2:49 PM

    Imagine having a next-door-neighbor equally whacked out on plants...double the pleasure, double the fun!

    ReplyDelete

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