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Ten August Favorites

Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coccineum 'Tara') With the exception of a few hot spells, August has been tolerable. However, beginning tomorrow, we are in for a 5-day heat wave. Disgusting! August is the month for plants that really love the heat. I have to begin with the Ginger Lily 'Tara' which is blooming for the first time. I posted a few weeks ago about how excited I was to see the bloom stalk. They have slowly opened with a few flowers every day. It has been well worth the wait.  Other favorites - Continuing the orange theme is Lantana 'Miss Huff' which is growing in a pot (that is the heather 'Firefly' in the foreground). This lantana can survive in the ground if situated in a protected area and it isn't too wet. Previously, one grew in the back garden along the south foundation and got huge (about 3' x 5'). I finally took it out after a particularly tough winter and it was slow to bounce back.  Allium ' Millenium' is a small charme...
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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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