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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 bit of snow

Colorado Blue Spruce 'Globosa' and Deodar Cedar 'Feelin Blue'

 

It was snowing hard when I went to bed late Saturday night and we woke up to a nice dusting. It didn't last long and was almost completely gone by the time I made it outside to get some photos. We are getting loads of rain which is good. It still has not really felt like winter though and has just barely hit the freezing mark.
 
And Merry Christmas to me! I've been wanting one of these for a long time -

Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph'


 


 The new back fence is festive, thanks to Michael. He made the bows and the wreath.

 

Other plants of note -

Beautyberry 'Profusion' (Callicarpa). I didn't think birds liked these berries but I saw some on it last week. Now that I've moved my computer to face out the front window, it is amazing what you see!


Fatsia japonica


Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)

African Honey Bush (Melianthus major)

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Mugo Pine 'Aurea' (Pinus mugo)

New Zealand Orange Sedge (Carex testacea)

Pinus strobus 'Nana Blue Shag'

St. John's Wort (Hypericum inodorum 'Pumpkin')

Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' and Persicaria 'Red Dragon'

The big chartreuse plant in the middle is Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa 'Jealousy'). I'm planning on moving it toward the back of the wall soon.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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