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
I'm glad spring is on its way in your area, Phillip. I wish Carex testacea performed as well in my garden as it is has in yours. I can probably say the same thing about 'Lady Emma Hamilton', which may get an eviction notice here if she doesn't shape up this year.
ReplyDeleteKris, 'Lady Emma Hamilton' can be problematic. Blackspot was on it although I managed to get it under control. It isn't the most carefree Austin rose.
DeleteAs the garden (and I) mature, I look for hassle free plants that require less work to maintain. The orange sage became my go-to and most favorite ornamental grass: little clean-up is needed, very manageable reseeding, and unless we go through a particularly nasty winter it looks good and provide color all year. Your photo demonstrates my point perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice combo, C. testacea and Lady Emma. I have the Carex with Abutilon 'Victor Reiter' and Cuphea 'Vermillionaire'--different oranges seem to play nicely together.
ReplyDeleteI agree with chavliness--that carex gives a lot for very little effort.
This photo is really eye catching, and of course we’re all glad to have spring arriving!
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