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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

Okochi Sanso Villa & Gardens



One of my favorite gardens on the tour was the Okochi Garden that was created by Japanese actor Denjiri Okochi. Located in the northwest hills above Kyoto, it was a picture of tranquility.

First, we walked through a Bamboo Forest to get there -


A pathway led from the forest path up the hill to a garden entrance -



The main house -


A menagerie of pathways encircle the house and winds around the perimeter of the house. 




At one spot, an open pavilion called the "Moonlight Pavillion" provides a fantastic view of the city of Kyoto.






The creator of this paradise, Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962) studied literature and dabbled in writing before he began an acting career in 1920's silent cinema. He specialized in period dramas and jidaigeki (samurai). One of his best-loved characters was Tange Sazen, a fictional swordsman with one arm, one leg and one eye. He played the role in numerous films.



He spent thirty years creating his garden and he died there of stomach cancer in 1962 at the age of 64.




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. What a breathtaking garden! Your photographs are stunning. Thank you for sharing this slice from your trip.

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  2. Such a peaceful place, and stunningly beautiful! It really looks like you lucked out on good weather for your trip.

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