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Autumn Leaves

'Dancing Peacock' Someone needs to write a song... :) With an atmospheric river and 30 mph winds predicted this past weekend, I was afraid the ginkgo, which had just started to turn color, would be stripped.  We were lucky though and it remains intact. Gingko 'Princeton Sentry' After the storm... The Black Tupelo (Nyssa slyvatica) changes color from the inside out - The above photo was taken last week. Here it is today - 'Wolf Eyes' Dogwood (Cornus kousa) has never had such pink color - Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea', Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' ( Lagerstroemia ), and Persian Ironwood ( Parrotia persica ) - Japanese Maple 'Beni Hime' - Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' ( Amelanchier ) with tree peonies - Stewartia pyschocamellia starts the color show early. It has since faded to a much softer color - Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Southeast Portland Mini-Tour



A recent HPSO Mini-Tour included four gardens in the Southeast Portland area. 

First, Christine Weaver's garden with winding pathways was full of perennials, vines, carnivorous plants and cacti -








Next up is Jeanne DeBenedetti Keyes' naturalistic, waterwise garden with a collection of native plants. The back garden is a lush, Chinese-influenced, walled garden -








The third garden was Renee Moog's enchanting and whimsical 1/3 acre garden with beautiful plantings enhanced with garden art, including glass bottle walls and floors, and a fantastic water feature -












And finally, the Happy Valley garden of Jennifer Buss emphasizes four-season interest, low-maintenance plantings, and some bonsai specimens (unfortunately my phone battery was depleted and I didn't get many photos) -



 (Visited August 17, 2025)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. AnonymousAugust 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM

    I love the stone figure with the basket on its head for collected treasures!
    Chavli

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  2. Kris PetersonAugust 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM

    You have such beautiful gardens in the PNW and people are so generous in opening their gardens. I love the Sempervivium artwork and the excellent use of recycled bottles.

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  3. Jeanne DeBenedetti KeyesAugust 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM

    Great photos, Philip! You captured some very lovely vignettes. You've got a great eye. Thanks for coming out. It was good to see you.

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks Jeanne and thank you for opening your garden. I enjoyed it!

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  4. JerrySeptember 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM

    Wow, I am enchanted with Renee Moog's garden. That shed and the creative way she used bottles. I will have to keep an eye out for future open garden events there.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 2, 2025 at 8:20 AM

      Yes, very creative! I enjoyed that one. If you get a chance, do try to go.

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