Today's post is on the final pair of HPSO Open Gardens I saw last June. I hadn't planned to visit these last gardens. I'd been to them both fairly recently and I wasn't sure I had the time. But then Darcy encouraged me to go (saying they were looking fabulous), so I went—I am glad I did! The yellow home with the sea of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) belongs to Linda Ernst...![]()
...but I walked over to check out the updates to Joanne Fuller's garden so that's where we start. That's her little garage, it fits a Smartcar!![]()
Her front steps have been completely reworked. It may not look like much to you, but I attended many HPSO Speaker Committee meetings at Joanne's and walking down the old steps in the dark was always a little dicey. These are such an improvement! Of course I did my best to focus on the plantings, not the steps.
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Looking from Joanne's garden (once you're at the top of the stairs) over towards Linda's.
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A shot in reverse from above.
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A sit-spot on the top of Joanne's redone garage.
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And a shot as we head back into her garden.
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This area has been reworked as well, there used to be opaque panels that screened the neighbors.
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Into the back garden...
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Podocarpus (I think) and a dark leaved podophyllum.
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More from Joanne's description: "The back garden is filled with big bold leaves, strong colors, quirky plants and meaningful art. The hardscape and garden art include a Buddhist altar and mosaic rock circle by Jeffery Bale supported by glass and found objects that complement the plants. My garden is a very personal space where you can relax in beauty. Sit under the Japanese maple and take in the newest arrangement of choice shade plants, lounge in the tropical corner under the banana or gaze across the garden from the outdoor living room. Come and learn how you can create something unique with a regular city lot."![]()
I was surprised her description didn't mention Marcia Donahue's installation...
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Marcia was up in Portland in April of 2022 to do the install (and stopped by my garden).![]()
They look like they've always been there, a great match between art and location.
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Moving on...
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More martagon lilies!
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I neglected to take a photo of the nice loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) in Darcy's garden, but I got this one!
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Fancy a cocktail?
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In the distance is Linda Ernst's garden...
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... it's time to check it out.
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Looking back towards Joanne's (through the fence)...
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Lysimachia paridiformis var. stenophylla
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Out in the driveway now, which has been taken over by plantings (a definite theme with this week's posts).
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Cars do have a spot on the other side of that divider.
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But not in the garage! (which is Linda's studio)
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Another secluded sit-spot.
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...and this is the end of a week of posts on great local gardens. Here's hoping you've got an open garden program in your city—if not maybe you should start one?
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Joanne's description: "Come visit my mini urban oasis. My garden has gone through a radical redesign since it was last open. The shady front garden has completely new hardscape, new plantings and a garage top party space. A new statuesque Stewartia monadelpha anchors the planting of ferns, Hellebores, Hydrangea, Carex, Beesia, Cyclamen, Hostas and Podophllym among other shade lovers."
Linda's garden description; "My lot-and-a-half city garden hosts several garden "rooms" featuring traditional and modernist hardscape designed to contain exuberant plantings. The garden was featured in Fine Gardening magazine (Dec 2017). The shady front garden features low maintenance plants for winter fragrance and hydrangeas for summer interest. An ancient rhodie has been replaced by a new hydrangea border and a new entrance to Joanne Fuller’s front garden. The side yard features a fire pit patio and mixed borders. The north border continues its renovation to host more pollinator friendly plants. The backyard is a gravel dining courtyard with a stainless steel fountain, steel and art glass gate, and stacked stone seating wall. Lots of pots everywhere! Come see what we have been up to!"
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