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September Surprises

It is always a thrill to stumble across a plant that I may have forgotten about or one that does something unexpected. That has happened several times over the past weeks.  First, the vine pictured above is the Eastern Prince Schisandra vine ( Schinensis chinensis ), also known as "Magnolia Vine".  I purchased it in May of 2023 from One Green World in Portland. I don't know what attracted me to it, other than the fact that I'd never heard of it before and the description sounded nice.  I didn't forget about this plant; in fact, it has grown quite vigorously up an archway at the entrance to our woodland path. It shares space alongside the rose 'Lamarque'.  I did forget that it produces berries, so I was surprised when I looked up and saw them dangling over the top of the arbor.  The berries are used in Chinese medicine. They are called the "Five Flavor Berry" and said to have five flavors in one - sweet, salty, bitter, tangy and sour.  Chinese le...
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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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