Dirt Therapy

"American Roots: Lessons and Inspiration from the Designers Reimagining Our Home Gardens" (how's that for a title?) is a showcase of 20 gardens across the United States. The gardens featured are the creations of people who work in the horticultural industry in some way - most are landscape designers but there are also event planners, flower arrangers, photographers, etc.  The book is visually appealing and there is an abundance of creativity and ideas to ponder. The authors wanted to show that American gardens are diverse and they have succeeded. You will find a range of gardening styles on display - cottage, eclectic, native and many that take advantage of their natural surroundings. And it was refreshing to see so many gardens that utilize a wide range of plants and hardscape materials instead of focusing on the individual element styles that seem to be in vogue these days. I love grasses but I think I've seen enough Oudoulf style gardens to placate me for a while. ...

A week of light rain and a sunny day today. The fall color is beginning to catch up. My favorite tree at the moment - Stewartia psuedocamellia Pomegranate ( Punica granatum 'Crimson Sky') - no fruits this year (only a few last year) but such a pretty tree regardless. Redbud 'Flamethrower' ( Cercis canadensis ) Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' ( Amelanchier x grandiflora) and Birch 'Trost's Dwarf' Amsonia hubrichtii Peony 'Boreas', Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' underneath the Serviceberry Barberry 'Orange Rocket' Cistus 'Mickie' Smokebush 'Golden Spirit' ( Cotinus coggygria ) Fringetree ( Chionanthus virginicus ) Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Little Honey' ( Hydrangea quercifolia ) Peony Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Michael teaching our friends Geoff and Masako how to make and paint concrete leaves Michael has been busy making concrete leaves, saucers, bird baths and other objects. This is a process that takes 24-36 hours for forming and drying the cement mixture (sand and mortar mix). After the objects are finished, they are then painted and glazed. My favorites are the bowls and bird baths. I have a small one on my desk and the larger ones will be used throughout the garden. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss' in the foreground and Calamagrostis 'Karl Forester' in the background Rain is finally arriving in the Pacific Northwest and cooler temperatures as well. At noon today, we've had a slight drizzle and a whopping .02 inches. Hopefully more and heavier rain is on the way. It is sorely needed. Cornus sanguinea  'Midwinter Fire' (Blood Twig Dogwood) Fall color so far has been scant but there is some to savor. Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' ( Rhus typhina ) is the star of the show at the moment. The leaves fall quickly and another sumac in a pot has already lost most. The rain will most likely ruin these leaves but they have been beautiful for many weeks. Persian Ironwood ( Parrotia persica ) is the most colorful tree at the moment. In the foreground is Smoke Bush 'Golden Spirit' ( Cotinus coggygria ) The Serviceberry ( Amelanchier grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance') has been rewarding and a wonderful view out my office...

Dense fog this morning as well as smoke from a distant wildfire (not really that distant - in Camas!) Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy