This was officially the third garden on the tour, but the second I visited. Called the Manzanita Garden it was instantly my favorite.
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Looking back now my favorite would actually consist of parts of this garden along with pieces from 2 others I visited later in the day. Still this garden was way up there on the amazo-meter...
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These photos (above and below) were all taken on the public sidewalk...
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The owners (Marina Wynton & Mike Pajunas) proudly display their collection of Portland PC garden signage. Do I sound a little snarky? Maybe just a bit. I'm all for each one of the practices shared here and do appreciate the idea the signs might cause a passer by to stop and read, and consider what they're all about. Still it's a little much for me...
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This is the driveway, how about that sedum (and?) center strip...love it!
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Here's what the tour program has to say: "Our gardens are a reflection of our deep appreciation for nature, art and home. We started designing and building the gardens together seven years ago, early in our relationship and they are a true collaboration. We have native hedge rows as well as mixed planting beds of native and non-natives, an eco-roof on the tool/garden shed, a rain garden, pollinator pathway plantings in the parking strip, permeable pathways, sculpture, vertical gardens, curvy steel-edged vegetable beds, a guest house and outdoor rooms all on a smaller than average city lot. The gardens are designed to please us and our neighbors, create habitat to attract insects and birds and have living spaces that are enjoyed all year round. We’re constantly tinkering with the planting beds, seeking ways to get more winter structure and color, how to fit in a few more perennials and edibles and always with an eye out for that just-right piece of art work for a certain spot. The mason bee box is in the wrong place...compost is on the way...We’re finding that just when we think we’re done, we each get new ideas that keep us refining and creating."
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Just how small is this "smaller than average city lot?" Well it took a little hunting but it looks like the lot measures 55 ft wide x 87.6 ft deep, standard for Portland is 50 x 100 so indeed they're missing a few precious feet.
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You'd never know it by walking the garden. Sure it's small but they've packed in so much!
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Love the curvy veggie beds.
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And baby heads.
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See those twisty dark bars? Looks like a metal sculpture right?
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Nope, that would be one of the namesake manzanita of this garden. I need to get serious about pruning mine to show off those legs and arms!
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This bench was hidden from the rest of the garden. On a pathway...
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That leads...
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To...
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This!
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More than a few of us contemplated moving in.
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The view out the window.
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Do you see the tiny Buddha?
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The chunky table and benches look so perfect in the spot. I suspect they were built by the owners.
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I heard others marveling at placing a chair on such a tiny patio. Why not?
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You know, say it with me..."if you look hard enough there's always an agave..."
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The driveway and insect hotel were on the west side of the house, this is the east side.
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At first I thought the bent boards were just warped. However upon further investigation I do believe it's an artistic flourish.
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Love the planted roof on the storage extension, and REALLY love the gutter and downspout.
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The front garden...
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Yep, this one was pretty amazing...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Looking back now my favorite would actually consist of parts of this garden along with pieces from 2 others I visited later in the day. Still this garden was way up there on the amazo-meter...
These photos (above and below) were all taken on the public sidewalk...
The owners (Marina Wynton & Mike Pajunas) proudly display their collection of Portland PC garden signage. Do I sound a little snarky? Maybe just a bit. I'm all for each one of the practices shared here and do appreciate the idea the signs might cause a passer by to stop and read, and consider what they're all about. Still it's a little much for me...
This is the driveway, how about that sedum (and?) center strip...love it!
Here's what the tour program has to say: "Our gardens are a reflection of our deep appreciation for nature, art and home. We started designing and building the gardens together seven years ago, early in our relationship and they are a true collaboration. We have native hedge rows as well as mixed planting beds of native and non-natives, an eco-roof on the tool/garden shed, a rain garden, pollinator pathway plantings in the parking strip, permeable pathways, sculpture, vertical gardens, curvy steel-edged vegetable beds, a guest house and outdoor rooms all on a smaller than average city lot. The gardens are designed to please us and our neighbors, create habitat to attract insects and birds and have living spaces that are enjoyed all year round. We’re constantly tinkering with the planting beds, seeking ways to get more winter structure and color, how to fit in a few more perennials and edibles and always with an eye out for that just-right piece of art work for a certain spot. The mason bee box is in the wrong place...compost is on the way...We’re finding that just when we think we’re done, we each get new ideas that keep us refining and creating."
Just how small is this "smaller than average city lot?" Well it took a little hunting but it looks like the lot measures 55 ft wide x 87.6 ft deep, standard for Portland is 50 x 100 so indeed they're missing a few precious feet.
You'd never know it by walking the garden. Sure it's small but they've packed in so much!
Love the curvy veggie beds.
And baby heads.
See those twisty dark bars? Looks like a metal sculpture right?
Nope, that would be one of the namesake manzanita of this garden. I need to get serious about pruning mine to show off those legs and arms!
This bench was hidden from the rest of the garden. On a pathway...
That leads...
To...
This!
More than a few of us contemplated moving in.
The view out the window.
Do you see the tiny Buddha?
The chunky table and benches look so perfect in the spot. I suspect they were built by the owners.
I heard others marveling at placing a chair on such a tiny patio. Why not?
You know, say it with me..."if you look hard enough there's always an agave..."
The driveway and insect hotel were on the west side of the house, this is the east side.
At first I thought the bent boards were just warped. However upon further investigation I do believe it's an artistic flourish.
Love the planted roof on the storage extension, and REALLY love the gutter and downspout.
The front garden...
Yep, this one was pretty amazing...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.