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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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The Gates Garden


I've wanted to see Barry & Karen Gates garden in Camas for years now and it seems that I never have time to go to Open Gardens anymore. Thanks to a mutual friend, I got the opportunity to visit and in the nick of time too because they have just sold their house.

The Gates have lived here for over 30 years and they are now downsizing and to be closer to their grandchildren. 

The garden covers five acres and is situated on an idyllic hillside in a beautiful quiet neighborhood. 

Here is a look at the front of the house that sits in the middle of the garden. Terraced slopes descend down the front -


Behind the house is a long patio area and walkway with the garden extending up the hill behind. Barry says that they had about 20 trees removed right above this spot to give them more sun. Still, even with all those trees removed, there is still a lot of trees here, giving it a forest-like feel. -


And father over to the side of the house is a covered seating area -



One of the first things I noticed when walking around the garden were the beautiful mature trees. Magnificient specimens of Japanse maples and two huge Paperbark Maples -


And a beautiful Stewartia -








There are many lovely rhododendrons in the garden, most just beginning to bloom -



This one is 'Taurus' which we also have in our garden. Ours isn't this big! -





Fothergilla 

Looking down from the deck








In addition to the beautiful plants on the property, I loved the garden art sprinkled throughout the
garden -



So much beauty here - I hope the new owners appreciate this paradise and take good care of it. I'm grateful that I got to see it!



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonMay 18, 2023 at 6:56 PM

    It's beautiful. With all those mature trees and shrubs, it'd function well as a botanic garden. I'm glad you got to see it - and share your tour.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowMay 19, 2023 at 11:19 AM

    What a beautiful place. I can't imagine that large of a garden on a mountain side. It is something to behold.

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