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
That's a good story. We often don't know how plants ended up for sale in our local nurseries or on line. Millions growing around the world that were once a single seedling.
ReplyDeleteThat intense color sure wakes up the eyes in a grey spring!
It's pretty and cheerful - just what you want to kick off spring!
ReplyDeleteI agree it is an interesting story. It is a beauty too. Happy Spring.
ReplyDeleteI planted PJM Rhododendrum a few years ago. Very little direct sun made it grow leggy branches, it lost the lovely bronze-colored leafs it had when I punched it, and it produced 5 blooms this year. I'm rather discouraged.
ReplyDeleteChavli
Actually mine is not very dense. I wonder if pruning would help?
DeleteSo commanding with the bright color. I know rhododendrons are common, but I miss them (grew up in Portland, OR now in CA).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! Thank you for that! I know they are common, but damn - there is a reason for that. I love that dark foliage contrasted with that nearly fluorescent purple. If I had room, I would totally plant one.
ReplyDeleteAnna K