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I mentioned Darcy Daniels last week as one of our areas many talented garden designers. Well, lucky us–members of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO)–Darcy held her garden open last week, giving fellow gardening enthusiasts an opportunity to ogle her collection in person.

HPSO is $35 to join. It’s a non-profit, volunteer-run organization open to all. The opportunity to visit open gardens alone makes for bargain entertainment, and there are myriad year-round programs and activities. Whether in PDX or another city, do yourself a favor and check out you local gardening organization. You’ll like it, I swear–all the time!

Drama begins at curbside with the hellstrip. I discovered this garden prior to meeting Darcy. I lived a few blocks away before we moved, and I came across it on one of my daily treks.

In defense of my good taste, I coveted Darcy’s garden right away.

A most delightful hellstrip.
A most delightful hellstrip. Pine id? A little the peek of woven metal under the Agave bracteosa.

A Rosa glauca trained into a tree. What, who said you could do that? Fabulous results.

Rosa glauca? "tree" trunk.
Rosa glauca “tree” trunk.

Great texture from an unexpected source–at least unexpected by me.

Rosa glauca? multi-trunked tree. Huh, and I approve.
Rosa glauca multi-trunked tree. Hmmph, and I approve.

Top to bottom, this Rose is cool. Apparently, not allowing it to eat the whole garden is a exceedingly viable option.

Rosa glauca in tree form.
Rosa glauca in spectacular tree form.

I never thought I needed alliums, but the gardeners all around are starting to get to me. Pretty good, don’t you think?

Allium christophii (?) maybe.
Allium christophii (?) maybe.

I need to up my game on conifers. In the beginning, I thought looking for “dwarf” was good enough for indicating a smallish shrub. Sometimes though, that means, it’s only 20′ instead of its regular 60′. No garden is complete without a few–for year-round interest and sheer beauty–but do your research!

Swoon-worthy evergreen. I sure hope Darcy fills us in on names.
Swoon-worthy dwarf conifer, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Little Champion’

More conifer beauty. Black Mondo Grass paired with a gorgeous ?. It looks coniferish, but I was scratching my head on ID. thanks Evan Bean for the i.d. Cunninghamia lanceolata ‘Glauca’.

Another gorgeous pairing. (Am I using too many superlatives?)
Another gorgeous pairing. Black Mondo underpinning Cunninghamia lanceolata? (Am I using too many superlatives? But can your blame me?)
Conifer doing a fine job of anchoring the corner of the front path.
Conifer doing a fine job of anchoring the corner of a front path. Cedrus?

I saw a similar plant at Boring Bark in their display garden. I planned to ask about it when I made a return trip, but they’d dug it up and sold it to somebody else. So there’s another thing to keep in mind. If you like it, ask!

Here's a closeup of the stunning foliage? I need this.
Here’s a closeup of the stunning foliage of a Cedrus? I need this.

Who doesn’t love rocks?

cool rock at the garden edge
Picture doesn’t do this big stone justice. Cleopatra could lounge here with servants a-fanning.

I LOOOVE these woven metal edgings.

Mass planted sempervivum around woven metal: perfect.
Mass planted sempervivum around woven metal edging: perfect.

I realized only later than I didn’t take many wide-angle shots. I was too busy sticking my nose in the plants.

The front garden, close to the sidewalk, and very private.
The front garden, close to the sidewalk, and very private.

Hardscaping weaving through lush plantings. Hey, wait a minute. Is weaving a theme here?

Another view of the front patio. Lush and lovely.
Another view of the front patio. Lush and lovely.

Loved the myriad paths and dividers found throughout Darcy’s yard. These pots define the space, and provide screening. That’s a clever idea.

and pretty pots all in a row...
and pretty pots all in a row…

The zig zag raised bed add visual interest. It seems to speak, in a sophisticated Mad Hatterish way: come on in.

A zig zag raised bed, what a good idea!
A zig zag raised bed, escape from the ordinary.

More great plants out back. And a lovely studio, but I was too busy talking to manage a shot. I bet we can count on other bloggers to give us that shot. Won’t that be fun, to see the garden through multiple camera lenses.

I'm thinking this beauty is a Cordyline.
I’m thinking this beauty is a Cordyline, and in bloom. Why I never!
Another wider shot of the Cordyline?
Another wider shot of the Cordyline? Quite love it.

There was this fabulous Fatsia.

Fatsia janponica 'Spider's Web'
Fatsia janponica ‘Spider’s Web’

And, Oh là là, this stunner. I super need this, which I think is Fatsia japonica ‘Camouflage’.

Fatsia japonica 'Camouflage' (?)
Fatsia japonica ‘Camouflage’ (?)

The Phormium is a perfect partner, no?

Never met a Phormium I didn't like.
Never met a Phormium I didn’t like.

Layered texture implemented by a pro. Doesn’t this look fantastic? Every bit of foliage is distinct.

Layered texture done up right.
Layered texture done up right. Iris japonica at the center. Effective foliage contrast through size and variegation. Smart.

Now here’s a Rhododendron to lust for. And as soon as we find out the species, we can all add it to our lust lists. Again thanks to Evan Bean for the i.d. R. roxieanum var. oreonastes.

Fine-leaved Rhodie. Yes, please.
Fine-leaved Rhodie. Yes, please.

And finally, a perfectly placed empty pot. Dear dog, I need a bigger budget.

Perfect empty pot placement.
An empty pot looking groovy.

Thanks for sharing your garden, Darcy. It is an inspiration.

Cheers.