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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...
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Staining the Fence

 


We finally got the fence stained. We were waiting for warmer temperatures to do the job. We started to do it two weeks ago but then decided against it after reading the staining instructions which called for night and daytime temperatures to be at least in the 50s. It is still getting down in the 40s at night although things are slowly warming up.  

We worked all day yesterday with only one panel left to do. Michael kindly volunteered to finish it this morning while I finished getting some containers potted. 

Here is the view from inside the back garden. It looks better without those nasty power lines mucking up the view -

The stain we use is Cabot Australian Timber Oil 'Mahogany Flame'. We've used it for all the other structures in the garden. How I wish that it would retain this luster. Alas, it will eventually fade and probably be soiled with bird poop.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. Hoover BooMay 12, 2021 at 2:06 AM

    The Cabot products are really good. Your fence looks great!

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  2. Kris PetersonMay 12, 2021 at 2:39 PM

    It looks fantastic. Sadly, bird poop can't be avoided.

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  3. ksMay 12, 2021 at 6:11 PM

    That's just splendid-the hard work paid off. I had two small redwood pergolas built last year and briefly toyed with the idea of staining them - clearly I would hate doing it so much I would be paying to have it done every couple of years. Your beautiful result seems well worth the effort !

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  4. Loria CurrMay 13, 2021 at 3:26 AM

    amazing, it looks like great

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  5. MelanieMay 13, 2021 at 3:42 AM

    I love your garden. You've done so much in such a short time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lisa at GreenbowMay 14, 2021 at 12:45 PM

    Good job men. It looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LaraMay 15, 2021 at 12:39 AM

    wow, it looks fantastic.

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