The Oregon Garden

My adopted home state kicks “fanny” as far as the horticultural industry is concerned. I believe we’re 3rd in the nation, behind California and Florida for agricultural production. Want to visit a nursery? We’ve got an amazing selection of nurseries, there’s no way one could ever hope to visit them all (I’m trying!).

So we must have a few pretty amazing botanical gardens right? Well…we do have several remarkable specialty gardens. The Chinese Garden, The Japanese Garden…those are wonderful, top notch. We also have The Leach Botanical Garden, The Bishops Close and a fabulous group of city parks and rec areas including Forest Park and the Hoyt Arboretum. But what about this place called The Oregon Garden?

According to their website The Oregon Garden is an “80-acre botanical garden, featuring more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the diverse botanical beauty that can be found in the Willamette Valley and throughout the Pacific Northwest” (source). I last visited the Oregon Garden in 2006 and in all honesty was a little underwhelmed. It’s since under new management and 7 years has probably allowed a lot of smaller plants to mature, it was time I go back.

What did I find? The garden was impeccably maintained. We’ve had a very dry summer but the plants were still looking spring-fresh. Weeds? There weren't many. So why aren’t I gushing?

These first 7 photos were all taken outside the garden, adjacent to the parking lot

The garden feels more commercial than botanical (several of those specialty gardens within the garden are very heavily branded, more like shops within the garden - where you couldn't actually buy anything). Plus each area had its own signage and labeling which makes the garden feel disjointed.

Also, I wasn’t inspired. The most interesting area I saw (get ready for this) was the conifer garden. It presented these plants in a way that showcased them, set them apart for their features. Plants that can be so easily taken for granted as that green (or blue) backdrop for perennials were allowed to shine.

Now I don’t want to sound like I didn’t enjoy the outing, or would discourage anyone from going. Neither is true. After all the garden is full of beautiful plants, why wouldn’t you enjoy that? Heck I even found a couple of new to me plants I want to learn more about. No, I guess what I’m trying to convey is a feeling the garden is aiming to please those who are more likely to shop at a big box nursery, rather than an Oregon specialty nursery, why not aim a little higher? There are so many amazing plants we can grow here in Oregon, why not expose people to more of them and while you’re at it aim to educate with better signage and labeling?

I have to admit I did enjoy this sign stuck into a nursery pot, although it does seem a little haphazzard

Okay with that bit of constructive criticism (you are still with me right?) let’s enjoy the beautiful bounty of The Oregon Garden. Before you enter the garden there is a sales area, I liked that...although there wasn't anything I had to have.

Just outside the visitors center we stopped to eat a quick lunch from the cafe, I could critique the cafe too but this isn't a food blog. On to the plants...

First stop was the water garden.

There were flowers...

Fishes...

More flowers...

And frogs! Sadly he jumped into the water when I reached for the camera. You'll just have to trust me on the frogs.

It was interesting to eavesdrop on people as they walked up to this. Some saw the sun, others an octopus. I can't remember which it was supposed to be.

Anyone know what this vine is?

Olives! Olea europaea (Olive 'arbequina')

This is totally random but I loved it wanted to take it home and put it in my garden.

Yes I know, it's practically as big as my garden!

That's a lovely loquat...

And this! What might it be? A protea???

I haven't found much on Hakea microcarpa yet, but I'm curious and have been researching. According to Florabank it should be hardy here and this tidbit from OSU is interesting. Take a look at the flower here, nice huh? Of course the fact it was whacked back is a bit concerning...

Next stop the Drought Tolerant Garden. We approached this garden from the wrong side I'm afraid. There was outdated signage (they irrigated in 2011, what about since?)...

And labels that had obviously fallen away from their plants.

However on the upper side there were several gorgeous (and very happy plants) including this Grevillea victoriae 'Marshall Olbricht.'

Bright kniphofia, but I don't know which one.

This signage was helpful...

Calycanthus I believe...

Nice foliage combinations...

And of course who doesn't love a blooming crocosmia...

Conifer alert! We're not yet in the official conifer garden (I think this might have been the Monrovia garden) but I loved this one! Pinus strobus 'Contorta' (Contorted White Pine). Not so impressed?

Look closer...

This piece reminded me of those big rebar bougainvillea trees at The Getty Center, only of course there wasn't any bougainvillea.

So here we are in the conifer garden, this Abies concolor 'Candicans' (Colorado White Fir) was positively glowing.

So powdery...

Why would you look at that! Somebody planted some agaves (Agave havardiana) in the conifer garden! I wish I could say it was me doing some guerrilla gardening but no.