The Oregon Garden

My adopted home state kicks “fanny” as far as the horticultural industry is concerned. I believe we’re 3rd in the nation, behind California and Florida for agricultural production. Want to visit a nursery? We’ve got an amazing selection of nurseries, there’s no way one could ever hope to visit them all (I’m trying!).

So we must have a few pretty amazing botanical gardens right? Well…we do have several remarkable specialty gardens. The Chinese Garden, The Japanese Garden…those are wonderful, top notch. We also have The Leach Botanical Garden, The Bishops Close and a fabulous group of city parks and rec areas including Forest Park and the Hoyt Arboretum. But what about this place called The Oregon Garden?

According to their website The Oregon Garden is an “80-acre botanical garden, featuring more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the diverse botanical beauty that can be found in the Willamette Valley and throughout the Pacific Northwest” (source). I last visited the Oregon Garden in 2006 and in all honesty was a little underwhelmed. It’s since under new management and 7 years has probably allowed a lot of smaller plants to mature, it was time I go back.

What did I find? The garden was impeccably maintained. We’ve had a very dry summer but the plants were still looking spring-fresh. Weeds? There weren't many. So why aren’t I gushing?

These first 7 photos were all taken outside the garden, adjacent to the parking lot

The garden feels more commercial than botanical (several of those specialty gardens within the garden are very heavily branded, more like shops within the garden - where you couldn't actually buy anything). Plus each area had its own signage and labeling which makes the garden feel disjointed.

Also, I wasn’t inspired. The most interesting area I saw (get ready for this) was the conifer garden. It presented these plants in a way that showcased them, set them apart for their features. Plants that can be so easily taken for granted as that green (or blue) backdrop for perennials were allowed to shine.

Now I don’t want to sound like I didn’t enjoy the outing, or would discourage anyone from going. Neither is true. After all the garden is full of beautiful plants, why wouldn’t you enjoy that? Heck I even found a couple of new to me plants I want to learn more about. No, I guess what I’m trying to convey is a feeling the garden is aiming to please those who are more likely to shop at a big box nursery, rather than an Oregon specialty nursery, why not aim a little higher? There are so many amazing plants we can grow here in Oregon, why not expose people to more of them and while you’re at it aim to educate with better signage and labeling?

I have to admit I did enjoy this sign stuck into a nursery pot, although it does seem a little haphazzard

Okay with that bit of constructive criticism (you are still with me right?) let’s enjoy the beautiful bounty of The Oregon Garden. Before you enter the garden there is a sales area, I liked that...although there wasn't anything I had to have.

Just outside the visitors center we stopped to eat a quick lunch from the cafe, I could critique the cafe too but this isn't a food blog. On to the plants...

First stop was the water garden.

There were flowers...

Fishes...

More flowers...

And frogs! Sadly he jumped into the water when I reached for the camera. You'll just have to trust me on the frogs.

It was interesting to eavesdrop on people as they walked up to this. Some saw the sun, others an octopus. I can't remember which it was supposed to be.

Anyone know what this vine is?

Olives! Olea europaea (Olive 'arbequina')

This is totally random but I loved it wanted to take it home and put it in my garden.

Yes I know, it's practically as big as my garden!

That's a lovely loquat...

And this! What might it be? A protea???

I haven't found much on Hakea microcarpa yet, but I'm curious and have been researching. According to Florabank it should be hardy here and this tidbit from OSU is interesting. Take a look at the flower here, nice huh? Of course the fact it was whacked back is a bit concerning...

Next stop the Drought Tolerant Garden. We approached this garden from the wrong side I'm afraid. There was outdated signage (they irrigated in 2011, what about since?)...

And labels that had obviously fallen away from their plants.

However on the upper side there were several gorgeous (and very happy plants) including this Grevillea victoriae 'Marshall Olbricht.'

Bright kniphofia, but I don't know which one.

This signage was helpful...

Calycanthus I believe...

Nice foliage combinations...

And of course who doesn't love a blooming crocosmia...

Conifer alert! We're not yet in the official conifer garden (I think this might have been the Monrovia garden) but I loved this one! Pinus strobus 'Contorta' (Contorted White Pine). Not so impressed?

Look closer...

This piece reminded me of those big rebar bougainvillea trees at The Getty Center, only of course there wasn't any bougainvillea.

So here we are in the conifer garden, this Abies concolor 'Candicans' (Colorado White Fir) was positively glowing.

So powdery...

Why would you look at that! Somebody planted some agaves (Agave havardiana) in the conifer garden! I wish I could say it was me doing some guerrilla gardening but no.

This Juniperus pingii (Ping Juniper) was an advertisement for trees to avoid in your garden.

Although it is beautiful look at that mess of litter it drops!

Finally I leave you with another blue conifer, this one Abies concolor 'Blue Cloak'...

Although I liked the open spacing of the needles on the 'Candicans' better, this one had a lovely feathery texture.

These guys will show you the way out...

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

The Miller Garden, part 2

Yesterday we started our tour of the Miller Garden, located just north of Seattle. Today we continue the adventure starting out in the small parking area and then wandering down towards the Puget Sound.

Any notion I had that this wouldn't be a garden for me was instantly dispelled when I saw this yucca, isn't it hot?

And these sexy Arctostaphylos remains. I believe this was once an A. 'Howard McMinn'...while I certainly don't want any of my Arctostaphylos to pass on it's not so bad to be left with this right?

This stone patio and seating area overlooks the lower garden. We'll start off down the stairs in a minute (just out of frame to the left) but first let's look around the parking area.

Do you spy the Echium (E. pininana I believe) on the left? Front and center is a huge Corokia Cotoneaster...

I wandered away from the group to snap this photo, and then I forgot to inquire what this amazing specimen might be.

Aesculus hippocastanum 'Wisselink'

I thought I'd got the name of this one (on the right) but sadly I didn't. Anybody know?

Quercus pontica with a fabulous trough.

Quercus pontica close-up.

Trough close-up.

Richie Steffen, our guide for the day, had a story about the origin of this magnificent stone container. All I can remember is it came from China.

Adenanthos sericeus (Woolly Bush)! It was blooming with it's teeny tiny little red flowers but I couldn't capture them. Thankfully my plant has since bloomed and I'll be sharing them tomorrow for Garden Bloggers Bloomday.

I think that must be another Adenanthos...

Oh my...instant plant lust! Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida'...I will find a space for this plant.

I'm thinking maybe where the Privet is now. I need one of these...

The garden even had a small collection of carnivorous plants...

And a Schefflera!

Schefflera delavayi

I believe this is Fokienia hodginsii. Richie didn't touch on it during the tour but I swooned and Fokienia hodginsii is on the handout of memorable plants.

Gotta be Wollemia nobilis

We've made our way down to the overlook. A nice large wooden deck that overlooks the Puget Sound and is filled with a potted plant collection.

What a view...

The blue foliage plant is one I really wish I would have remembered the name of.

Wow...that' a field of rodgersia!

And how I would love a greenhouse like this...wouldn't you?

And what about a propagation area? Nice huh?

Here we caught a glimpse of the neighbors house. Not quite the understated abode which the Miller's called home.

I believe the plant on the right is a heather, but I don't know which one.

So that's that and we're back at the bottom of the steps which lead up to the parking area.

I'm not wanting to leave.

Another Wollemia nobilis?

I could easily get lost here but I don't think we've come back around that far to this must be a second one.

So ends a lovely adventure. I want to again mention my visiting the Miller Garden would have never been possible if not for the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon. If you're anywhere near Portland, Oregon, you really should consider membership. After this July tour just a couple of weeks later (in August) I was able to attend a lecture by Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones of Crug Farm Plants and I've visited multiple open member gardens. Next month I'll be attending a lecture by Fred Weisensee of Dancing Oaks Nursery called "Tropicalismo Lives"...(hardy plants that give a garden that tropical look). Heck I even know of people in California and Washington that are members of the HPSO...it's that good!

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. If this post appears anywhere but danger garden it has been reposted without permission.