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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
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Rain and a bit of fall color

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 window. 


Betula 'Trost's Dwarf' (Birch)


Dogwood 'Celestial Shadow' (Cornus kousa) and
 Japanese Maple 'Bihou' (Acer palmatum)


Redbud 'Flame Thrower' (Cercis canadensis)


Catalpa bignoinoides 'Aurea' with
Parrotia in the background and 'Karl Forester' grass in the front



Some color from heathers outside our front window


Hopefully, more fall color is on the way. So far, no hint of it on the ginkgo but leaves on the sassafras and black tupelo are slowly beginning. 


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonOctober 21, 2022 at 7:01 PM

    Lovely fall color, more than we get over the entire fall.winter season. Two one-hundredths of an inch is all we got during the most recent storm but I hope you'll be lot luckier over the course of the weekend. I also hope the rain will be sufficient to get the area's fires under control.

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    1. Phillip OliverOctober 21, 2022 at 10:49 PM

      My heart goes out to you Kris - I know lack of rain is tough and you have it much worse than us. So far, almost 1/2 inch at 10pm tonight. I'm thankful but it has been a long time coming.

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  2. AnonymousOctober 22, 2022 at 6:14 AM

    Sumac is so reliable and truly unmatched with its brilliant fall display: it never cease to take my breath away.
    Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss' is gorgeous. I should give this dwarf variety a try.
    chavli

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  3. AnonymousOctober 23, 2022 at 6:55 PM

    Lovely - that Tiger Eye is just phenomenal!! I just planted a couple of Little Miss in a client's garden. Seeing your photo made me so happy I took a chance on them!

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