Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Visiting Bloomtown…

One of the many benefits of membership in the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO, see link in sidebar) is the thick booklet you receive every spring listing members who are opening their gardens for other members to tour. As much as I love the idea of this I’ve been lax at taking advantage of it. Finally a few Saturdays ago I had a free morning and jumped in the car to visit the garden of Darcy Daniels, garden designer and owner of Bloomtown. I started photographing in the front garden, hoping I was at the right place as there was nobody around, but figuring even if I wasn’t this was surely the home of an avid gardener who would understand my interest. I’m in love with this short metal and stone wall along the sidewalk (it's new, click here for Darcy’s post about the renovation of her front garden, complete with progress shots)… And I'm kicking myself for not buying the fabulous blue, big-leaf plant in this picture. I can't remember the name right now (of course) but I saw it at one of the nurseries we visited on the Garden Bloggers Fling in Seattle. Isn't it great? The woven metal strips holding the plantings in the hell strip were pretty excellent! Moving to the side garden (edibles!) I could hear people laughing in the back and prayed I wouldn’t be crashing a private party! Ah, once in the back garden I recognized Darcy from a talk I went to of hers years ago. What a great lady, I just met her and quickly we were chatting about her garden and plants the way gardeners do. I love her garage converted to home office, have a similar layout and perhaps someday will go this route with our garage. More doors, these off the back of the house, I wish we had doors that opened onto our garden! Darcy’s garden was one of many that I’ve toured which include a small space for potting, new plant storage, and tinkering. Hers was very organized, and I wish everyone had a place to stow their refuse containers out of sight! I pray my struggling Carmichaelia odorata someday looks as good as hers. I learned that Darcy occasionally reads my blog as she pointed out several plants in her garden that she thought I would like, like these Popsicle Series Kniphofia (Papaya). And this Astelia. Naturally I love the small urn of succulents. An unexpected surprise in visiting Darcy’s garden was this… She lives right next door to the garden with the cool metal planters that I’d been stalking! That’s her driveway flowing nicely right into their side yard. Looking good! Portland can feel like such a small town sometimes! Darcy's garden is a lush refuge that packs a ton of beautiful plants in a very small space, yet doesn't feel crowded. If you have the opportunity to visit her garden do it!

16 comments:

  1. That's so wonderful that you have people opening up their gardens to other plant lovers. Darcy's garden looks wonderful. How do you choose which garden to visit? Are their preview pictures on the booklet?

    P.S. When you remember the name of the "fabulous blue, big-leaf plant", please let me know.

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  2. What a cool garden...I'll have to keep an eye out for it in the future! I went to a bunch of open gardens earlier in the year...but once the temps spiked up, I've been reluctant to venture into the outdoors ;-) Love that retaining wall...and how they did their driveway! That zig-zagging path with the raised planters is on my "must-steal ideas" list.

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  3. It was great to have in you in the garden -- thanks for a great post!

    The plant with the big, bold, blue foliage is Crambe maritima. I'm *pretty* sure that I got it at Dancing Oaks a couple years ago.

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  4. I have visited Darcy's garden several times, and it is never the same, but always wonderful.

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  5. Hey, I walk by there two or three times a week. Nice to know who's responsible for all that. How I wish I had a pulled together garden.

    I did start a path around the back side of the house the other day. Apparently, my go to solution when it starts feeling out of control. Good thing my neighbors put up with me, because I think it's a little down the middle of the property divide...

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  6. Crambe maritima is one of my faves, but I don't think I've seen it better sited than atop that rusty retaining wall. I'm so glad you took advantage of the tour -- so much to see and study in Darcy's wonderful garden, like that dark-leaved mimosa!

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  7. Like Ricki, I've visited Darcy's garden several times and it's an unfailing pleasure. She's an accomplished landscaper and plantswoman...and generous in sharing her knowledge - just like you!

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  8. What a great garden ! Thanks for the info on OHPS, I joined tonight-I'm a sucker for hort societies that offer open days !

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  9. @ Darcy Daniels: Crambe maritima. Thank you for the ID. I hope I can find it here in my country.

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  10. You simply must stop showing so many creative gardens. I am getting a real sense of inadequacy.

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  11. Very nice. The rusted steel wall is so strong with the use of all those plant textures. This is one of the few wild-crazy plantings that I really like - grt blend of sculpture and softness! The Persian rug under the sitting area is a nice touch for when guests visit.

    Portland and the use of steel tubs and steel as planter definition - shades of Austin minus the Death Star.

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  12. Wow, Loree. I wish we lived closer so I could tag along on all your wonderful garden excursions. Darcy's garden is fabulous. Great pics.

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  13. Bom, there are no preview pictures but there are short descriptions. Darcy's was an easy pick for me because she lives close to me and it wasn't a big time commitment to get there. Glad you saw that Darcy had the name of the plant!

    scott, I love that you have a "must steal" list. Naughty.

    Darcy, thank you for the plant name! I came close but not close enough in an attempted Google search. And thank you for opening your garden!

    ricki, well you just convinced me that I'm going to have to go the next time she has an open garden!

    Patricia, your neighbors are lucky to have you, and your garden!

    Denise, you make a good point about the siting. I think that's part of what kept me from buying it...where to put it!

    MulchMaid, what a sweet thing to say!

    ks, that's great! I'm happy to hear it...perhaps we'll bump into each other next summer?

    Les, misplaced I'm sure!

    DD, we're the softer, gentler Austin!

    Grace, I can't help but think you would have a blast with all the HPSO open gardens!

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  14. I'm getting a severe case of the jealousies looking at this garden and all the gift plants you have received. It all looks very lovely.

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  15. OK, next time I come I would love to see some of these wonderful private gardens, if you can finagle an invitation for me too!

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  16. I love going to open gardens and Bloomtown is always a must since I live about 5 blocks away......

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