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More South Portland Study Weekend Gardens, pt. 2

The last three gardens on last Saturday's tour included a large shade garden, a tropical oasis and an Asian-inspired retreat. First, the Hilderbrand garden in Oregon City. This garden is set in a grove of Douglas Fir trees and has paved pathways that meander through plantings of dogwoods, hydrangeas, viburnums, kalmias and other shade-loving plants.  The garden of Michael Hicks and Megan Big John is a quarter-acre plot in West Linn. This garden is packed with plantings of tropical plants with big beautiful leaves and vibrant pops of color. Helena Wagner's "4 Seasons Garden" is a garden that I have visited in the past. It features an Asian-inspired theme with beautifully placed plants, with nice colors and contrasts. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

A quick look around Portland Nursery


This morning we went to Portland to go to a sewing business and we got there an hour before they opened (here is a good tip - NEVER trust business hours posted online). Anyway, the initial plan was to drop Michael off and I would go three blocks down the road and walk around Portland Nursery. So, we both ended up going to the nursery to kill the hour.  

Although sunny, it has turned cold again and I mean chillingly cold. Michael had on a light jacket and he went back to wait in the car. 

The witch hazels were blooming all over and I regret not planing one. They get so large and I'm not sure where I would place one now. They are certainly stunning when in bloom.






 Another stunning winter plant is the 'Pacific Fire' vine maple. I do have one of these. 




 The following maple is probably 'Sango Kaku' but I could not see the label.





 The rooftop garden over the little shed looks good -




 So many lovely conifers -















 They also have many beautiful pots and statuary. I love this tuteur but oh my lord, it was $300!









It was a bit of relief to step inside the warm gift shop to escape the bitter cold. They have quite the houseplant collection. When I got back to the car, Michael said that they could not have any houseplants left because he had watched so many people leaving with them. 










Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Hi Philip, one thing I love about the Pacific NW is all the wonderful conifers. I could spend all day in a nursery like that, drooling over the selection. I would have to wear some extra layers, however!

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  2. Strolling through those aisles chocked full of plants would be a major temptation to me, especially through the conifers. I love them when they are small like in that one picture. Just seeing the pictures makes my heart go pitty patter especially when it is 60F today. Crazy February weather here but I love it. We will pay when it dips back down to the 30's tomorrow night. It will be back to reality.

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  3. Maybe everyone was buying houseplants because that is where it was warm. Nice place--thanks for the tour.

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