There appear to be a few reoccurring themes on this blog, and in my gardening life. First up…”never say never” – just because you’ve not cared for a particular plant doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself falling for it’s charms someday. Megan recently admitted to buying a Fuchsia and I’ve somehow found myself embracing ornamental cabbage and kale. The latest example? I spent a couple of hours last week at the Portland Chinese Garden celebrating Mumvember…
Mums! Who would have thought it, right? In addition to all the usual reasons for visiting Lan Su, Mumvember means there are hundreds of potted Chrysanthemum varieties decorating the garden. Not all of them appeal to me, but the spider mums, well, I love them…
Here’s another recurring theme, hardy pomegranates! Both Megan and Patricia have recently written about this gorgeous fruit, now it’s my turn. This Punica granatum ‘Nana’ grows in a container just inside the garden gate.
It’s having a very good year.
The day I visited was sunny and warm (for Mumvember), the garden was crowded with people enjoying the day. Still – if you were patient – a shot of the plants, sans people was possible. The focus of this photo is the Daphniphyllum macropodum, one of my must-visit plants whenever I’m here.
As is the Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’, which has taken on a lovely bush of pink in addition to the yellowing leaves.
These lanterns are a Mumvember touch, so festive!
Did you notice the Iris confusa in the shot above? Also known as Bamboo Iris this is a plant I loved and lost. I think it’s time to try again.
I don’t remember seeing this Farfugium before, and that’s one of the great things about visiting this garden. Years later and I’m still noticing things.
Did I mention it was a beautiful day?
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Cristata’
Another plant I’ve never noticed here, it is in a container, perhaps it’s new? Either way I’m glad to see it as it’s a fav.
Another beautiful mum (I wish there had been labels identifying them)…
With berries! Mine is about to erupt in bloom, and I’ve never gotten berries.
More persimmons…this one was labeled as Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya’. Compare the size of its fruit to that of the plant Megan wrote about last week (here).
These are huge!
This is the first time I recall noticing the genius of planting the cinnamon backed Pyrrosia sheareri at the base of that tree with incredible bark of the same tones (perhaps a Lagerstroemia?).
Quercus dentata ‘Pinnatifida’, so tall, such fabulous foliage.
I took this image because of the sunshine and architecture, but love the dried lotus seedpods in the “lake” and photobombing persimmon.
I’m kind of embarrassed to admit how many photos of Chrysanthemum flowers I took. So many in fact that there will be several more on my personal blog, danger garden, tomorrow – along with a look at the floral arrangements for the Ninth Moon Floral Design Showcase, part of the Mumvember celebration.
Now a mystery that I’m hoping you can help solve…
Once my visit was complete, and I was walking to the car, I decided I wasn’t quite ready to leave. The walled garden includes plantings along the public sidewalk, outside the wall, so I thought I’d circle around the block and see what there was to see. Since the walls include decorative windows, that allow you to peek into the garden, I couldn’t resist glancing in a few. That’s when I spotted these small green orbs! I’d walked right by them inside…not giving them a second glance. What are they?
Here are a few flowers on the same plant. Is that an Anemone? (I’m flower stupid)
I must have those little green dots in my garden! (help)…
I was one of several people glancing up at this striking golden Ginkgo glowing against that blue blue sky.
And a final peek, through a window, at the festive lanterns…happy Mumvember!
