Eastfork Nursery - a garden visit and shopping spree

Last week after visiting Michael Bostwick's garden in Clackamas, we headed north, closer to home, and decided to venture up Interstate 5 about 15 miles and catch a second garden on the HPSO Open Gardens - Eastfork Nursery. After taking the exit at La Center that goes to the Iliani Casino, you go in the opposite direction from the casino and drive just a few miles along beautiful countryside before arriving at the nursery and home of Samantha Hatch and Dave Schook.

Samantha (who goes by "Sam") is also known as "The Maple Lady". In 1984, she and her husband started a nursery that specializes in Japanese Maples. Today, she works full-time at the nursery where she sells around 100 varieties of rare and hard-to-find maples. But before I get to the nursery, take a look at some of the breath-taking scenery, gardens and water features. 







Their 13 acres backs up to an undeveloped flood plain. How is this for a view from your back door -

Many of the Japanese Maples that Sam sells can be seen growing in her garden. 

This beauty is "Orange Dream".

Sam took us on a walk through a wooded area that she called the "Trillium Trail". There were so many beautiful things to see here including (of course) trilliums!

After the woodland trek, Sam shows us more Japanese Maples growing near the house and nursery. Her affection for these plants is contagious as she explained how to care for them, what they like (well-drained soil) and what they dislike (fertilizer). She pointed out the ones that can take full sun and the ones that need some shade to keep them looking their best.

I didn't get any shots of her immaculate nursery because I was too busy being spellbound by the dazzling array of Japanese Maple choices. Here are just a few -

'Fairy Hair'

'Orange Dream'

'Tsuma Gaki'

'Shu Shidare'

'Phoenix'

'Taylor'

'Purple Ghost'

And the following came home with us -

'Amagi Shigure'

'Geisha Gone Wild'

'Japanese Princess'

'Ruby Stars'

'Moonrise'

In addition to being one of the best sources for unusual maples, Sam is also known for her exceptional customer care and her careful attention to packaging. She only mails the smaller plants and  the larger ones are sold at local sales or at the nursery. The nursery is open by appointment only. More information can be found on the Eastfork Nursery website.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy