Dorothy's garden, a one-of-a-kind treasure trove

The last week in September I made the roughly 1 hour and 45 minute drive to Svensen, Oregon, just east of Astoria. I was off to see a garden that I'd learned of thanks to Skyler of Tangly Cottage Gardening. She and Alan visited the garden last July and shared photos in this post. The garden really appealed to me and soon (thanks to Skyler) it's maker, Dorothy Danielson, and I were Facebook "friends" and I was scheming on a visit. I showed up on a very rainy morning and was quickly welcomed and ushered unto the house. A house that is one with the garden that surrounds it. The view from the dining area...
And the kitchen sink.
The house is worthy of it's own blog post (Dorothy designed it), but since this is a garden blog that's what we'll be concentrating on.
We're back out streetside now, where I'll begin the garden tour under a handsome eucalyptus.
Folks, be warned. This is a long post with many photos, settle in. Dorothy was an amazing hostess who toured me through the garden with stories and details about the garden, the plants, and her life. I had just met this woman moments earlier but already felt like we were old friends (remember, gardeners are the best people). 
That healthy clump of bamboo had just been shaped up by Dorothy's garden helper the day before my visit.
Yes, that sculptural trailer belongs to her as well.
There are many wonderful containers in this garden.
The welcome tree...
With fabulous bones.


For weeks I'd put off finalizing the day for my visit, hoping to schedule it when the weather would be nice. Then (seemingly out of the blue) the forecast changed and the day turned rainy, but you know what, this garden comes alive in the rain! There are so many catchment devices that I would have completely missed on a dry sunny day.

That wall, when I saw it in Skyler's post I knew I had to see it in person.
But before I completely gave myself over to viewing the wall, I had to appreciate this vignette.
Dorothy is an artist in every since of the word. She paints, but she also creates artistic garden vignettes...
Now, to the wall...
The container is an automobile fender (Dorothy's partner Jerry is a car guy) and the fern planted itself.
If I remember correctly Dorothy's son brought her the metal tree grates.
The wall does block an unwanted view, but it also becomes a view. It is so darn good.
Turning towards the house...
Okay, I was aiming for the potted succulents (especially that sexy yet to be planted Agave ovatifolia recently picked up at Cistus) but there's the wall again!
Oh my... so many containers!
And rocks, Dorothy does love rocks.



Peeking over the containers at the fire circle, which we will visit a little later.
I mentioned Dorothy's love of rocks, but surely you've noticed them, everywhere? That big one below is extra special to her.

Looking back over my shoulder, that rock in the center of the pathway is positioned just so, underneath a downspout, where it's depression can fill with water.
As you can probably guess I was in heaven with all of Dorothy's unique metal and cement pieces.

Dorothy and her garden helper, Brandon, built the rock columns. You can see the one on the right is still under construction.
Now that's a rain chain! Aka an auger, maybe a grain auger?
You'd have thought I'd have climbed those stairs to get a better view of the tetrapanax and the garden, but I did not. I was too caught up in conversation.
And looking at the interesting things all around me, like this raised pond with plants and rocks completely surrounding it. 

This interesting tree sculpture was formed by the roots growing in a tall cylindrical pot that broke, the roots have grown into the ground. Dorothy used rocks to keep it all in place, artistically. 
I do love a stock tank holding pen.

That building is where Dorothy will be moving many (most?) of her containers for the winter.

I complimented this beautiful bromeliad and Dorothy told me she bought it at Cistus. Clearly I needed to visit again! (and I did).
Agaves ✓, a bromeliad ✓, and a pyrrosia✓... all my favored plants I hope to see when visiting the garden of a like-minded gardener.
And now the fire circle area we glimpsed earlier.
Unfortunately this garden visit is drawing to a close. 
In my reality though Dorothy and I were off to have a tasty lunch at Ship Out Fish & Chips in Astoria, where the salmon was tasty! Thank you so much Dorothy for welcoming me into your home and garden. I can't wait to get back and visit again!
Oh, and on the way out I snapped another photo of the wall...