Visiting my first open garden of the year...

This year I vowed to be better about visiting the open gardens available to me through membership in the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO). In prior years it seemed mid to late summer before I'd finally think to start visiting. This year I visited my first on June 15th...

I knew this garden would be something special because I read it's profile in our local magazine, Portland Monthly, last summer.

The description in the HPSO open gardens book said this is a 2-acre "mostly woodland garden, with natural and developed scree beds in both dry and wet environments on the creek slopes" I also knew (from the magazine article) that the home was likely to be pretty wonderful, it was designed by architect Pietro Belluschi, "a native Italian who helped pioneer a Portland modernism influenced by both Europe and Japan." Although of course the home wasn't open to tour, just the garden. Here was the official garden greeter...

I was tempted to ask if they irrigate the lawn during our dry summers, I decided not to. Some people are very sensitive about the topic.

Yep, there's always an agave...if you look hard enough. In this case I didn't have to look very hard.

I love the off-set pathway.

Looking to my left from the path above. We'll come back around there in just a bit.

Another glimpse of the pond/seating area...

And we're there! I love the maze-like approach.

Garden "artifacts" are so much better with patina.

This fern stopped me in my tracks, it's gorgeous! Anyone know what it is?

There were several bridges across the creek, I had to keep reminding myself to look down as I backed up for the best shot. An 6-ft fall to rocks below is not my idea of a good time.

Finally I emerged from the shady creek area to an open lawn on the opposite side of the home. What a garden to start the "open" season with, the bar has been set high...

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.