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Clark County Mini-Tour

It is a rare rainy day here in August (or more accurately, a wet, drizzly day). That means a break from watering and a good chance to catch up on blogging and other computer-related tasks. Before I continue with my England tour highlights, I wanted to share photos from this past Sunday's mini-tour of four gardens here in Clark County (an event sponsored by HPSO - Hardy Plant Society of Oregon). I saw three of the gardens on Sunday. I had already visited the fourth one, Lynne Heidsiek's native habitat garden, when she was part of the Study Weekend tour that we were on.  Our first stop was the marvelous shade garden of Margaret Stapenhorst. A bluestone patio is surrounded by towering mature trees that shade a woodland garden. There was a fern table and a moss garden, as well as garden art by Steve Farris. Loved, loved the waterfall. This is what I'd like to do in our front garden, but I don't know if we have the room. Just a few streets over is the garden of Eloise and Bo...
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Heat waves and backaches

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With a pulled muscle in my back and a hideous heat-wave upon us, I am taking a break from the garden. Aside from planting, I have not worked on any projects lately. The terrace project (above) awaits me but for now, the flowers planted in the raised beds are doing great. The site here is dry and full sun. I have been watering this area about once a week except for the Katsura Tree (located in the top bed) which gets more frequent water.

This is a good learning experience to discover which plants can take these conditions.


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Some of the plants here -

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California Fuchsia (Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Select Mattole') is a plant I have never grown before. It has grown rapidly and just now started to bloom heavily. The hummingbirds love it.


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Rudbeckia ('Goldstrum" I think) - you can't go wrong with it!


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The Penstemons have become one of my favorite perennials. This is 'Blue Midnight'.


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Coreopsis 'Red Satin'


Eryngium 'Jade Frost'



Ornamental Oregano (Origanum 'Kent Beauty'), one of my favorite plants.

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Strawflower 'Mohave Orange'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. rebeccaAugust 7, 2017 at 2:35 PM

    Gorgeous

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  2. Jane StrongAugust 7, 2017 at 3:20 PM

    So beautiful! You've accomplished so much in so little time. I like the mixture of colorful and diverse flowers and especially those raised beds with flagstone.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 7, 2017 at 3:37 PM

    Those stacked stone walls are fabulous. No wonder your back hurts. Worth the look though. You are getting to grow all sorts of new plants. It is fun to see them. I have never seen an Echnops with variegation. A neat plant. Your garden is coming right along.

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  4. http://whatsitgarden.blogspot.comAugust 7, 2017 at 4:09 PM

    Looks like you've done lots ! It looks great , I'm looking forward to seeing it !

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  5. AlisonAugust 7, 2017 at 4:54 PM

    The plant you called Echinops is (I'm pretty sure) Eryngium 'Jade Frost.' Eryngiums are all great drought tolerant plants, I love mine. 'Kent Beauty' ornamental oregano is another favorite of mine. Those terraces and steps are looking great! You've accomplished so much, you deserve a break. I despise the heat and the smoke, I've been taking a break too.

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  6. Vesna MaricAugust 7, 2017 at 8:09 PM

    Simply beautiful.

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  7. RebeccaAugust 7, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    Back problems are the worst! Love the Eryngium. It all looks just beautiful.

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  8. Barbara H.August 7, 2017 at 9:38 PM

    Wow, Phillip, this area is stunning. I'm so impressed. I hope your heat breaks soon. Aren't you glad you have air conditioning?

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  9. MulchMaidAugust 8, 2017 at 6:14 AM

    I'm in awe of your progress in the garden. The terraced bed beside the steps is wonderful and filled with plants I enjoy. I love Eryngium 'Jade Frost' and used to grow it, but mine reverted to plain green after a few years. Yours looks so trim and fresh, and makes me want to plant it again. I hope your back muscle heals quickly, but it is a good time to take a break!

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  10. outlawgardenerAugust 8, 2017 at 9:50 AM

    Everything looks gorgeous! It's very exciting to watch you transform this space into a glorious garden!

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  11. debsgardenAugust 8, 2017 at 8:41 PM

    The terrace project is looking fabulous! Love, love the ornamental oregano.It is hard to believe you are experiencing such dreadful heat, while this week in Alabama I have 70s-low 80s, due to rain and heavy cloud cover. This has been one of the wettest summers I remember, much needed after last year's drought. By the way, I will be headed to your part of the world next month, visiting my sons. Hopefully, normal temps will back in the Portland/Seattle area by then!

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  12. AaronAugust 8, 2017 at 9:45 PM

    Hope you heal soon, Phillip.

    And that your heat wave breaks and temps get back to normal there.

    Meanwhile, as you say, it's a learning experience to see which plants are toughest. I like the way you're trying to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed you.

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  13. SallysmomAugust 10, 2017 at 5:17 AM

    I have that exact Rudbeckia. I had it at my old house & brought a clump here 9 years ago. You can't go wrong with this one.

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  14. UnknownAugust 10, 2017 at 4:49 PM

    Prettiest laboratory I ever did see.

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  15. HelenAugust 11, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    You've really transformed your new(ish) space over time. And all the plants look wonderfully healthy, despite the drought.

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  16. RobinLAugust 15, 2017 at 4:12 PM

    My goodness Philip, your plant choices are always so unique and interesting. Lots of wows in this post!

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  17. EveAugust 20, 2017 at 5:27 PM

    I love what I'm seeing Phillip! Take a break! You deserve it!

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