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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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David & Greg's Garden


This is David and Greg's garden in Woodland, Washington. I work with David at Yard n' Garden Land and it seems like it was just yesterday that they built their house and started their garden. I'm sure they would disagree. 

Actually - hold on to your seat - this is only the second season for this garden! Amazing! David says that credit goes to 500 yards of "magic volcanic Columbia River bottom/former dairy farm soil". It was used to build the slope that dips down behind the house. He wisely decided to put in low-growing perennials and grasses which doesn't impede this view -


This is a big leap from their formal residence which was a small rental house in Vancouver. At that time, they grew everything in pots. Plus Greg is an orchid grower and has quite a big collection. Now they have enough room (40 acres) for everyone.

There are expansion plans brewing. A greenhouse is going to be built for the orchids. A courtyard in front of the house is already partly planted as well as a border that extends along the east and north side of the house. Fun times ahead!























Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. ksSeptember 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM

    What a beautiful garden ! And excellent photos as well. Thanks for sharing -I hope you can update us next year as well.

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  2. Kris PetersonSeptember 16, 2024 at 9:05 PM

    That's a remarkably short period to have created a garden that spectacular! I love the mass of bright purple at the front of the house, as well as the plants massed along the stone path.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2024 at 9:10 PM

    Wonderful photos and kind words! Can't wait to see what happens next!

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2024 at 10:14 AM

    Gorgeous garden! Thanks for sharing this with us Phillip!

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  5. DeniseSeptember 17, 2024 at 10:21 AM

    Good soil is everything! Great planting choices and design skills help too ;). Fabulous!

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  6. Ardith FergusonSeptember 17, 2024 at 5:12 PM

    Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing garden. I especially like the use of ornamental grasses. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos.

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  7. tz_gardenSeptember 18, 2024 at 7:51 AM

    WOW! The front is a master class in layering, amazing. Having that much space is such a dream, I'd be plunking things here & there. They obviously have a great focus and eye and are NOT. Beautiful!

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  8. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 19, 2024 at 3:40 AM

    For goodness sakes. This is almost unbelievable for just 2 years of garden. These gentlemen both have green thumbs as well as great soil. What a marvelous beginning to a magnificent garden. The views are stunning too.

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  9. danger gardenSeptember 19, 2024 at 9:45 AM

    How wonderful! 40 acres, wow...

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