Volunteering at Rogerson Clematis Garden

I've been doing some volunteer work at the Rogerson Clematis Garden and, aside from the torturous drive, I've been enjoying it. Not only is it a beautiful place to spend time, but I'm also learning more about growing these lovely plants. 

If you love clematis and have never visited the nursery, you're in for a treat. They have the largest collection of clematis in the United States. There is a plant trial garden, a beautiful display garden, and a sales area where you can purchase plants (their availability list is posted on their website).

A few weeks ago, I visited the garden and nursery with some friends and came home with two plants: Clematis 'Princess Kate' and 'Fond Memories'. I was especially excited to find 'Fond Memories'. I've wanted it ever since seeing it featured in Linda Beutler's book (Linda is the curator of the garden).

'Fond Memories'

In most photos, 'Fond Memories' appears predominantly white with just a hint of lavender along the edges. So I was surprised to discover that mine is mostly lavender. I'm certainly not complaining, though—I think it's gorgeous.

I haven't planted either clematis yet. I'm still deciding where they should go, and we're currently in the middle of a heat wave (96 degrees today). I also wanted to wait until they bloomed because they're best cut back when planted.

After that first shopping trip, I placed another order for a clematis. You can order online and pick up your plants at the nursery. Since I would have to make the long drive to collect it, I thought, why not volunteer and help with some weeding while I'm there? So that's exactly what I did, and I've since returned for a second volunteer session.

I've already learned a few things. For one, I had no idea you could buy horticultural grit at Wilco (although I think it's sold under a different name). This fine gravel is used to top-dress potted plants and is also incorporated into the soil when planting.

My first assignment was to plant four large "Montana' variety clematis, assisted by Peggy, who gave me tips and explained how they planted. My second discovery - a "Root Slayer shovel" - where have I been? This is the bed where the clematis were planted - along the side fence of the sales terrace. The clematis should cover the fence completely. The tall plants in front are non-climbing bush-type clematis.

These required quite a large hole, but the soil was very easy to dig, especially with the root slayer shovel. Compost and fertilizer are added to the hole. Mission accomplished -

Next up was some weeding, pruning a viburnum and more planting. On my most recent visit, I did more weeding and helped set up tables and chairs for an event they were having. 

I did get a few photos of the display garden. Most of these were taken on my shopping visit a few weeks ago. The nursery is located at Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego. The display gardens surround the old farmhouse which you can see in the background -

Clematis mandshurica

The white flowered clematis is Clematis mandshurica. I was not familiar with it. It resembles the Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) that blooms in late summer.

Of course, like working at Yard N' Garden Land, one drawback to all this is being enticed by plants. 

I meant to ask someone about the identity of the plant on the right. Maybe rhododendron? Most of the plants in the garden are well-labeled, but I could not get close to this one. 

'Petit Faucon'

'Warszawska Nike'

A volunteer Verbascum

Such great fun and a wonderful group of people to work with. I hope to do more in a few weeks.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy