On the final day of the Salem Hardy Plant Society Study Weekend, last June, I toured this garden, in Woodburn, OR, just north of Salem...
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From the tour brochure..."Started in 1986, "Clementine" is a small city garden created with frugal acquisitions and recycling of both plant and structural materials. This garden was reclaimed ground from a distressed dog-run, boasting several large historic "anchor" trees and shrubs that surround a rented and sadly-neglected 1912 Craftsman bungalow. Living in the core area of the city is difficult, but with "dirt" in my blood (grandpa was a Dust Bowl farmer and daddy an undertaker), I couldn't let one square of aesthetic possibility go unimproved. My father would often refer to my efforts as "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear" but it didn't deter me. Gardening brings balance and purpose to my world. As time and relationships evolved, so did my plant acquisitions and garden hard-scaping. There is a purpose, story, and memory related to most every notion in my "outdoor" rooms. I decorate my outdoors like I do my indoors — a colorful gypsy caravan palate with a tapestry of plants, flowers, and found objects. I declare no "theme" — the plants tell me where they fit best aesthetically — sometimes wrongly — yet the spirit of the home and garden is real and I am its current caretaker. Of special note are the monstrous Catalpa tree in the backyard, the hell-strip plantings, and the beauty of the restored home."
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The hell-strip was indeed worth noting. In fact it was a whole entire garden into itself, squeezed into a small strip.
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Walking into the shady back/side garden I wasn't sure what to expect...
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But was completely enthralled with this rectangular pond/bog.
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The patina of time helped to amp up the beauty.
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Shady spaces can be so magical.
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The mossy flagstone/paver area added emensly to the charm.
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Dierama blooms.
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Thankfully it wasn't all shade.
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Time to exit and walk around the other side...
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I loved the gravel driveway, but didn't get a chance to ask the gardener about it (damaged concrete? No concrete?).
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I believe this was a family heirloom. Or maybe I just made that up, it was 9 months ago that I visited.
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A shady pavilion just off the driveway...
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And a chance to eat among the plants.
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There are so many great gardens out there to discover...
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Weather Diary, April 26: Hi 58, Low 42/ Precip .21
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
From the tour brochure..."Started in 1986, "Clementine" is a small city garden created with frugal acquisitions and recycling of both plant and structural materials. This garden was reclaimed ground from a distressed dog-run, boasting several large historic "anchor" trees and shrubs that surround a rented and sadly-neglected 1912 Craftsman bungalow. Living in the core area of the city is difficult, but with "dirt" in my blood (grandpa was a Dust Bowl farmer and daddy an undertaker), I couldn't let one square of aesthetic possibility go unimproved. My father would often refer to my efforts as "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear" but it didn't deter me. Gardening brings balance and purpose to my world. As time and relationships evolved, so did my plant acquisitions and garden hard-scaping. There is a purpose, story, and memory related to most every notion in my "outdoor" rooms. I decorate my outdoors like I do my indoors — a colorful gypsy caravan palate with a tapestry of plants, flowers, and found objects. I declare no "theme" — the plants tell me where they fit best aesthetically — sometimes wrongly — yet the spirit of the home and garden is real and I am its current caretaker. Of special note are the monstrous Catalpa tree in the backyard, the hell-strip plantings, and the beauty of the restored home."
The hell-strip was indeed worth noting. In fact it was a whole entire garden into itself, squeezed into a small strip.
Walking into the shady back/side garden I wasn't sure what to expect...
But was completely enthralled with this rectangular pond/bog.
The patina of time helped to amp up the beauty.
Shady spaces can be so magical.
The mossy flagstone/paver area added emensly to the charm.
Dierama blooms.
Thankfully it wasn't all shade.
Time to exit and walk around the other side...
I loved the gravel driveway, but didn't get a chance to ask the gardener about it (damaged concrete? No concrete?).
I believe this was a family heirloom. Or maybe I just made that up, it was 9 months ago that I visited.
A shady pavilion just off the driveway...
And a chance to eat among the plants.
There are so many great gardens out there to discover...
Weather Diary, April 26: Hi 58, Low 42/ Precip .21
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.