Dirt Therapy

Transplanting - I really hate it but it is a task that I find myself doing more and more these days. It always fills me with dread anytime I have to move a plant. It is a stressful event for the plant as well as myself but fortunately I have found that the mild climate here generally favors a good success rate. Still, larger plants can be problematic.  For most plants (and there are always exceptions), it is best to move a larger plant right before the roots are beginning to grow. So, late winter or early spring is ideal. Fall is also a good time but allow time for the plant to grow a bit before the first freeze. Of course, I never follow that logic. Case in point, the Fatsia (Japanese Aralia) (you can see it right in the lower center of the photo) was planted in too much sun. I'm not sure what I was thinking but I must have assumed that the Photinia would shade it and wasn't considering how much the sun moves to the north in summer. I meant to move it at the appropri...

A trio of hydrangea lovelies in the Joy Creek display garden Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose, Oregon is one of my favorite nurseries and I go there every chance I get. Every year, they have a program about hydrangeas (they sell over 100 varieties!) and a tour of their fantastic display gardens.  First, a bit about geography - when you look at the map you can see that Scappoose is actually located northwest of us (the red square shows where we live, the red star is Scappoose). To get there, we must go south to Portland and cut across which isn't too bad because immediately after we cross the bridge into Portland, we take the first exit, which takes us to St. Johns and then we get on Hwy. 30 and over to Scappoose. I have never understood this as it feels like we are heading due west instead of north. Despite my confusion, it is a nice, scenic drive and the area has a rural vibe despite the close proximity to Portland. The hydrangeas are really nice this year but they seem...

When I was falling head over heels into gardening many moons ago, I spent hours glossing over gardening books. At the time, I worked at the local public library and I always had a stack of books checked out and I kept our interlibrary loan department busy as well with my endless requests. I remember one of the books in our library was "The Garden Design Primer" by Barbara Blossom Ashmun. For the novice gardener trying to find their way and make some sense of their landscape, the book offers an encouraging and gentle hand with lessons on putting plants together for harmonious effects as well as offering plant suggestions for specific areas. Barbara started her own garden in Portland in 1986 and she has also written several books of essays about her experiences. The books ('Married to My Garden' and "Love Letters to my Garden') are wonderful, inspiring and funny and especially a good read during those winter months when most of us are cooped up inside. N...

Here is a wide shot of the pergola and courtyard area that we've been working on this year. Eventually we want more shade in this area. The pergola itself is already partially shaded by the apple tree on the back right and the hedge of photinia all the way across. In the front area, I've planted a Stewartia, which is visible at the left and a Japanese maple 'Osakazuki' on the right. Not visible in the photo are an Azara and a Black Tupelo (Nyssa). Notice everything is wet! July is normally the driest month here but we have already received an inch or two. It was a bit muggy today but the high was only 73.  Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Happy 4th - My least favorite holiday but I do love the hamburgers, a day off from work and the red, white and blue flowers! Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red'  'Climbing Iceberg' rose Galega 'Lady Wilson' (Goat's Rue) Portulaca (Moss Rose) Veronica 'Vernique White' Clematis durandii Fuchsia 'White Eyes' Hydrangea 'Snowflake' Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea Holly) Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' Fuchsia 'Double Otto' Coreopsis 'Broadstreet' Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy