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A Visit to Cistus Nursery

I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
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The O'Byrne Winter Garden in Eugene




Last year, one of my favorite gardening books was A Tapestry Garden by Ernie and Marietta O'Byrne. In the book, they show how they created their beautiful, multi-faceted garden beginning in the early 1970s with 70 acres and a farmhouse dating back to 1918. I've always enjoyed reading about how gardens were formed and this one was particularly fascinating. Later, Marietta O'Byrne gave a talk to the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, and talked more about their gardening experiences. 




 I've been wanting to visit their garden since reading the book but never found the time last year to take the 2.5 hour drive down to Eugene. The O'Byrne's also operate a hellebore nursery (Northwest Garden Nursery) on their property and this past weekend they opened the nursery and garden for their annual Hellebore Garden Open Days. Since I was free, I decided to drive down there. I was unprepared for the tremendous crowd (this is a very popular event) but I enjoyed my stroll around the garden. I do want to return in the summer to see the garden in all its glory.

This was the check-out line!



Naturally, I avoided this and took a detour to one of the garden paths. There is lots to see this time of year. Of course, there are many hellebores -










Rounding the corner, I stopped in my tracks when I saw the largest 'Chief Joseph' pine tree I had ever seen. I've long wanted this but kept talking myself out of it because it is always too expensive. We carry it from time to time at Yard n' Garden Land where I work. I'm not sure I would have room for it but I'm sure I will be pondering it again this year. This specimen is about 20-25 years old.




A magnificent row of Red-Twig Dogwood (not sure what variety this might be) -



Cyclamen coum - reading about this in their book perked my interest. A co-worker shared some with me. Mine doesn't look this good yet -



Peacocks in the pasture next to the gardens! There was also a white one but I didn't get a good photo of him -





The following photos are from the "Chapparel Garden" -








On the other side of the garden is a shady woodland path - 






The front of the garden is bordered by a large grove of bamboo. Notice how they trenched around them -




 I can't wait to visit this garden again!

 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Bear and BriarFebruary 24, 2020 at 6:08 PM

    Great photos and tour! It's now on my long list of must see gardens, thank you!

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    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 24, 2020 at 7:30 PM

      You should go - I want to see it again later in the year.

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  2. Rainy Day GardenerFebruary 24, 2020 at 6:39 PM

    Hi Phillip! I went to this sale / open gardens in 2015. I would have warned you about the crowds. https://www.therainydaygarden.com/2015/02/the-open-gardens-at-northwest-garden.html I can see from my post 5 years ago, how much the Chief Joseph has grown! I was pre-warned about the crowds so we arrived very early and secured a near-ish roadside parking spot. Man, was it nuts!! https://www.therainydaygarden.com/2015/02/the-open-gardens-at-northwest-garden.html I'm so glad you got to enjoy the gardens. If you go in summer...do write a post! I'm really curious to see the seasonal changes in those gorgeous gardens.

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  3. danger gardenFebruary 25, 2020 at 8:45 AM

    Great photos, you've reminded me that I want to get back to their garden in warmer weather, I've only visited this time of the year too. That bamboo is magnificent.

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 25, 2020 at 4:57 PM

    That pine tree is magnificent. I can see why you want one. I can't wait to see this garden the next time you go. It is a WOW.

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  5. chavlinessFebruary 28, 2020 at 10:01 AM

    Yah, Chief Josef has been on my wish list for a long time too. What a spectacular specimen. If I had 70 acre parcel of land, I'd be planting timber bamboo with a massive trench, it's the only responsible way to plant it. That bamboo forest is amazing.

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