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Study Weekend Garden Tours - Southeast & North Portland - pt. 1

Despite all the work and hoopla of preparing for our open garden on Monday, I did manage to steal away on Friday and Saturday to visit the gardens in Portland. There were six gardens on Friday, located in the Southeast and North Portland neighborhoods.  Beginning with the first three - Jenn Ferrante garden - Cool and calming, an oasis of serenity with pinks and blues and touches of chartreuse. And a stunning weeping beech. Peter Eastman and Dayrol Griffin garden - another colorful oasis with many tropical touches and a well-executed street border planting. Anne Davis & Miles McCoy garden - This small garden packs quite a punch with borders, potted plants and artistic touches. Check out that pathway! More to come... Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Surprise blooms on the Honeybush (Melianthus Major)


From what I had read about the Honeybush (Melianthus Major), I didn't expect it to bloom. That would have been okay as the foliage is satisfying enough. After cutting it down to the ground after the ice and snow back in February (it looked good up unto that point), it has rebounded and is already four feet tall. I grow it on the south side of the house and I'm sure it is happy in it's warm spot.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I think Melianthus major appreciates being cut back hard. Each time I've cut mine down to stubs I've feared I killed it, only to have it dramatically rebound as yours did. Mine (in partial shade) usually only produces a single bloom but this year, despite our pathetically low rainfall, I've got 4 bloom spikes this year.

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  2. Very cool! I've not seen a Melianthus bloom before.

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  3. No comment about the honeybush in particular, but I wanted to tell you how happy I was to find your blog. I too, live in Vanc, WA, and just this year have I started work on our postage-stamp sized back yard. I am envious of your rich soils as mine are compacted and I have alot of remediation work to do. It's backbreaking. We are transplants from the upper midwest and I am amazed at what I can grow here. Nice to see a neighbor!

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    1. Thank you Kiyoko and so nice to hear from a neighbor!

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  4. The bloom stem before the flowers open is the prettiest burgundy imaginable. Beautiful photo.

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