I love introducing new gardeners to a great nursery they’ve never heard of, even better when they make the trek and later tell me how impressed they were — usually with tales of many plants bought. Such is the case with Secret Garden Growers, its name is apropos.
Located just outside Portland, in Canby, and part of the Cascade Nursery Trail: “Secret Garden Growers is a dream come true for owner Patricia Thompson who shares almost 40 years of combined experience with her husband Bill in horticultural pursuits.”
More from their website: “Secret Garden Growers is a country nursery specializing in perennials, ornamental grasses and other delectable plant treasures — direct from the grower to collection of garden worthy subjects sure to please even the most discriminating plant lover! Our goal is to fill the niche of providing special plants for gardens.” I can tell you not only are the plants at SGG first rate but Patricia is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
I visited a couple of weeks ago, on a mission to purchase a pair of Coniogramme intermedia ‘Yoroi Musha’ (Asian Bamboo Fern — because Patricia bought a couple and I fell in lust) but I was also curious what else I would discover.
Like all great nurseries there’s a display garden abutting the sales area. Erica arborea, I believe?
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’
I disturbed these regal fellows. They skittered away chattering to themselves.
So many plants! What will I need to take home? (before you get too jealous just know they do mail order…)
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
Dicliptera suberecta, one of these came home with me.
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’
Lilium asiaticum ‘Netty’s Pride’
Plantago major ‘Rosularis’ — I bought one of these too, although not on this visit. Pat was selling at the recent Salem Hardy Plant Society Study Weekend and I bought one there.
Acaena inermis ‘Purpurea’ — one of my “fav’s” from last week’s end of month post. I wonder how many plants it took to make this wonderful carpet?
Lots more to explore…
Oryza sativa ‘Black Madras’
I should have bought one.
Dyckia choristaminea ‘Frazzle Dazzle’
Coniogramme japonica var. gracilis
And in case you’re wondering, I did find the Coniogramme intermedia ‘Yoroi Musha’ I was after, isn’t it fabulous?
