Flashback! To last summer, August 28th. It seems almost impossible to imagine the sun and heat I felt that day will return again. These photos almost make be believe it will. Almost.
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The description of Bud's garden as it appeared in the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's open garden book: "This Michael Schultz-designed garden encompassing one-and-one-half acres is 6 years old. The transition from an excess of rolling green lawn to the present setting of "colorful rooms" containing many different perennials, flowering trees and ornamental grasses has been tedious, but certainly enjoyable. Add a few arbors, three water features, interesting hardscapes, plus a mix of tropicals, and the visitor should leave my garden with a sense of tranquility and an appreciation for the beauty Portland's climate can nurture." That was written 11 years ago for the Garden Conservancy Tour and much has changed! True to Michael's original plan, the woodland has been completed and a succulent bed enters its sixth summer season."
The house is a bit of a mystery from the street...
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And there was still a bit of lawn...
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The first water feature! It was a surprise to see it so close to the house.
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Simple perfection.
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After walking through a bit of a side yard you suddenly find yourself here...
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Impeccably maintained plants all around.
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Walking a little further, and up the steps you can just barely see at the top-left of the photo above the last one, you come to a hardscaped patio.
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With a fabulous Agave americana 'Variegata' that I wanted to hug. I know, irrational, but true.
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And a kick-ass pond, with gorgeous water-lilies.
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Can you even?
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Looking back to the patio entrance.
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Just beyond there was a small greenhouse. Empty in August, of course.
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And here's the succulent bed he mentioned.
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Obviously a few of these (like the Aeonium) aren't here year-round.
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The Graptoveria (or Echeveria?) is another summer vacationer.
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Ditto to many of these...
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Moving on towards the woodland...
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Two of the "must have" plants for any respectable plant nerd in Portland. Schefflera delavayi on the left and Fatsia japonica 'Variegata'.
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Not hardy here, this one is usually grown in a container.
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Of course I am spacing it's name...
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As I am the name of that reddish flower. I have been reminded of it many times, and yet, I forget...
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Echium, something or other (I want to say E. pininana but it seems there are always conflicting thoughts on which Echium is which)...
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Anyway it's a tortured thing. I do hope it bloomed before summer 2016 ended. Because our winter killed it for sure.
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More from the shady(ish) woodland...
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And suddenly we bust out into the sun.
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And back into the shade. But wait, those ferns aren't hardy here...
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No way, no how.
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Another of the water features (#3 if you're counting).
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A look beyond.
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Before inspecting it up close and personal.
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We've almost come full circle, the water-lily pond is just beyond the palm on the other side of the arbor.
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Hey. I have this potted Bromeliad too!
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And just like that we're done!
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Weather Diary, March 15: Hi 57, Low 46/ Precip .41
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
The description of Bud's garden as it appeared in the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's open garden book: "This Michael Schultz-designed garden encompassing one-and-one-half acres is 6 years old. The transition from an excess of rolling green lawn to the present setting of "colorful rooms" containing many different perennials, flowering trees and ornamental grasses has been tedious, but certainly enjoyable. Add a few arbors, three water features, interesting hardscapes, plus a mix of tropicals, and the visitor should leave my garden with a sense of tranquility and an appreciation for the beauty Portland's climate can nurture." That was written 11 years ago for the Garden Conservancy Tour and much has changed! True to Michael's original plan, the woodland has been completed and a succulent bed enters its sixth summer season."
The house is a bit of a mystery from the street...
And there was still a bit of lawn...
The first water feature! It was a surprise to see it so close to the house.
Simple perfection.
After walking through a bit of a side yard you suddenly find yourself here...
Impeccably maintained plants all around.
Walking a little further, and up the steps you can just barely see at the top-left of the photo above the last one, you come to a hardscaped patio.
With a fabulous Agave americana 'Variegata' that I wanted to hug. I know, irrational, but true.
And a kick-ass pond, with gorgeous water-lilies.
Can you even?
Looking back to the patio entrance.
Just beyond there was a small greenhouse. Empty in August, of course.
And here's the succulent bed he mentioned.
Obviously a few of these (like the Aeonium) aren't here year-round.
The Graptoveria (or Echeveria?) is another summer vacationer.
Ditto to many of these...
Moving on towards the woodland...
Two of the "must have" plants for any respectable plant nerd in Portland. Schefflera delavayi on the left and Fatsia japonica 'Variegata'.
Not hardy here, this one is usually grown in a container.
Of course I am spacing it's name...
As I am the name of that reddish flower. I have been reminded of it many times, and yet, I forget...
Echium, something or other (I want to say E. pininana but it seems there are always conflicting thoughts on which Echium is which)...
Anyway it's a tortured thing. I do hope it bloomed before summer 2016 ended. Because our winter killed it for sure.
More from the shady(ish) woodland...
And suddenly we bust out into the sun.
And back into the shade. But wait, those ferns aren't hardy here...
No way, no how.
Another of the water features (#3 if you're counting).
A look beyond.
Before inspecting it up close and personal.
We've almost come full circle, the water-lily pond is just beyond the palm on the other side of the arbor.
Hey. I have this potted Bromeliad too!
And just like that we're done!
Weather Diary, March 15: Hi 57, Low 46/ Precip .41
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.