Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Fabulous SW Portland Garden, Day 2

After seeing all the marvelous plants in the front garden I was very curious as to what I would discover around back…more of the same? An entirely different experience? Yes, and yes! It took me a few minutes to realize just how large the space was…it goes on forever. While a garden of this size is a dream, I can also imagine it would be a bit overwhelming too. How to break it into smaller intimate spaces? How to fill it with plants? (okay that part sounds fun…) I am not one for water features; they often end up looking like something that was incorporated simply so the gardener could say they have a water feature…but this! This is something entirely different. Wow. The land beyond the fountain and retaining wall… Looking back at the house. Even the tomatoes have a nice place to grow… What the? Oh ya! This is the area on the backside of the fountain. I love a surprise, especially when it includes Agaves! While the linear patterns of this planting are what catch your eye now just imagine once the Agaves grow up! Along the back of the house is another collection of plant treasures! What a wonderful garden, it was difficult to tear myself away! To me it seems the perfect mix of a plant lover who wants to try new things, and develop a wonderful plant collection, and an experienced and knowledgeable designer to give the space structure and guide the plant choices (and I pray as they are reading this they aren't cringing at my attempt to sum it up!).

There is a good chance this garden may be open next summer as part of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon’s open garden program for members. Of course you will want to go!

16 comments:

  1. The back is equally as impressive as the front. This garden should be on the tour.

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  2. I can't even put into words how much I want to be teleported to this garden! all those great agave and jubaea chilensis!?! that is a serious gem! I have some serious garden envy going on right now

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  3. You bet your booties I would visit this as an open garden! In a heartbeat. I want to know what that palm is, and the potted large-leafed thing, and the gray-leafed plant in the planter near it. I want to see that fountain up close, and the Tetrapanax forest, and the agaves... If you have any influence with this homeowner, please be strongly, even wildly encouraging.

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  4. The 1st pic looks like Chilean Wine Palm / Jubaea chilensis, though maybe a rigid Pindo Palm / Butia capitata...1st probably a good shot there. (as my palm friend in Savannah says)

    Some of that is some serious zone pushing, but what the heck? That water features is nice, not to mention that awesome, linear Agave outcropping. WOW!

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  5. I can't wait to see this garden in person!!! Please let us know when it will be open...if it is!! Thank you for the post!

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  6. You've done a great job getting across the distinctiveness of this garden, but I would still absolutely love to see it in person. I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying that I am starting to fall in love with gravel gardens and succulents, but I am succumbing to a healthy curiosity about them. They are so different from the cottagey, overblown style that has been my first love for so many years. I just really like the restrained architectural quality they have. Those agaves interplanted with those long pieces of rock is so fascinating!

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  7. Well that's fabulous indeed. I love the flagstones set at angle and buried to create that linear texture.

    As a matter of fact, I think I'll steal that idea for my front slope!

    Great post, thanks!

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  8. Splendid garden ..I always think of SW as hilly even though I know there are areas that are not. Hoping this will be open when I make my annual Portland trek...That water feature!!!

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  9. Wonderful tour. Thanks, Loree.

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  10. Part 2 didn't disappoint, and I LOVE that water feature, unique, simple, and tasteful!

    And yes more gorgeous plants, I'm craving to plant shop now (and that's naughty as it's the wrong season, yikes!) :)

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  11. I will be scouring the HPSO Open Grdens book next year, looking for this one.

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  12. Thank you for all the great photos, Loree. It must have been sheer delight to see it in person.

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  13. Amazing garden, it must really feel like you are transported to a different place.

    Love the linear agave gravel garden especially.

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  14. Darla, and hopefully it will be!

    Louis, that is exactly how I felt when I was there...garden envy!

    MulchMaid, I think the potted large leaf thing you are referring to is a Datura or Brugmansia. And I think you and the rest of the commenter's have been strongly and wildly encouraging!!

    DD, I believe most of this garden was installed just before winter hit last year (maybe the year before) so yes some serious zone pushing and some success!

    Lauren, it's a deal, when/if I see it on the open HPSO schedule I will do a little post!

    Alison, yay! Reading your comment made me so happy!

    Hoover, steal away, but be sure to post about it.

    ks, be sure to let me know when you make you Portland trek ok?

    Denise, you are very welcome!

    Mark and Gaz, when would you have time to shop!...I too loved the water "feature"...breathtaking!

    ricki, I promise to post a heads up!

    Grace, indeed it was.

    Shirley, I am glad to read you and others appreciate that part of the garden, I wasn't sure I was able to capture it well.

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  15. I love gravel gardens and this one is terrific. Thanks for the tour. I wish I had more space.
    David/ :-)

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  16. watching this garden grow...

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