I would be remiss to write about The Oregon Garden and not include photos from the Conifer Garden, after-all many people go there just to see the conifer collection. I'd like to think my ability to admire the conifers is an indication of my maturing as a gardener,...
Plants: Articles from The Editorial Side
What can we say? We are here because we love plants. You’re probably here because you love plants. We talk a lot about the plants we love, covet, admire, have watched grow happily in our gardens, tried and failed, the ups and downs of tending our own gardens and visiting others. It’s a happy place here, join us.
to Spurge or not to Spurge
Euphorbia myrsinites wows me every time. I hear it can be a little pushy, but well enough behaved in my gardens to date. It's so unassuming and easy, but packs a terrific punch. And utterly sexy contenance, wouldn't you agree? So many fabulous Euphorbias, and so...
a plantsman’s picks for winter interest
I was lucky enough to attend a seminar by Roger Gossler at Portland's Yard, Garden, and Patio show this past weekend. Roger is an avid and generous plantsman. Gossler Farms was our very first contributing nursery on plantlust.com. I knew we were lucky when they agreed...
The Oregon Garden has spikes!
I've previously visited The Oregon Garden only in July, you see a very different place in January. Maybe that's why, in past visits, I'd not noticed the small xeric garden to the left of the formal entrance. It doesn't look newly planted. Even if the Yucca rostrata...
Close Encounters of the Edgeworthia Kind
One of the lovely things about the Lan Su Chinese Garden is the space outside the walls for passers by to enjoy. Like the garden inside, the mini-gardens bordering the block are full of plants that remind us that the garden is always changing. At the garden now,...
I’ve got yard and garden plans, sorta (pics added)
On the time moving quickly front, I've got plans up my sleeve that I'd love to implement this season. For me it's a matter of sorting out priorities, then figuring out which thing gets done first. I generally find if I just can get the ball rolling--a start anywhere...
It’s getting kinda ferny around here…
The pot ghetto, we all have one right? This is the time of year mine starts to grow. From now until mid-April I’ll be accumulating, but not actually planting. The photo above shows what it currently looks like, well, what the shady/protected ghetto looks like –...
Witch-hazels are weird
Think back to the first time you saw a Hamamelis (witch-hazel) in bloom. Did you think "wow, that's beautiful!" or were your thoughts more along the lines of "what's that freaky thing?" Don't get me wrong, I love them, but they are rather bizarre, like colorful...
We Interrupt this Winter for a Sun Break
Could you use a little break from cold wet winter weather where you are? We're approaching what I consider the "power through" part of winter in Portland. I get the winter doldrums later than some people, because I love it up through December, and clouds and rain feel...
it’s next week already
When Megan was about eight, I used the "time flies" line on her. She kindly informed me that it does indeed--because each passing year becomes a smaller percentage of your life. Hmmph. Thanks, kid. There's good news on the time business: we're quickly winging our way...