Friday, September 13, 2013

My final HPSO Open Garden visit of the season...


Dare I say it? The big book of Hardy Plant Society of Oregon member open gardens is down to the final couple of pages. I've gone on what might just be my last open garden visit of the season (for the HPSO at least). Fitting that I end with the garden of the current HPSO president don't you think?

His restraint in container materials was amazing. There were a couple of glazed containers but for the most part they were all cement. The calm grey really allowed the plants to shine.

The clean lines and color of the house did the same.

I hope Jane doesn't mind that I share this picture of her, taking a picture. She just looks so at home in this garden...

The tall white bottle brush-like blooms in the photo of the palm and front door (above) belong to this Cimicifuga (I think that's what it is?). Isn't it gorgeous?

The little white star flowers are pretty wonderful to, but I've forgotten their name!

This simple rectangular water feature would be very tempting on a hot day. I think there's room for a person in there...

Great reflections too...

Now we've gone around to the back garden...

Lovely Schefflera...

It takes such restraint to leave a container empty...

Nolina 'La Siberica'...someday mine will be this big (hopefully)...

Such a graceful plant.

The blob on the right is Grevillea australis and it was fabulous! I just couldn't get a good shot. I must have one of these.

Grevillea victoriae in front of a Cotinus.

A look back as we descend the steps.

Down to a vegetable garden in the sunny (I'm assuming) used to be driveway...

And a border of opuntia!

Back up in the main garden.

And looking back at the house.

Perfect!

I forgot to ask about the magnolia.

And I'll end with a close up of the deck and fabulous furniture, this was a perfect garden to close an amazing year of HPSO tours...

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

24 comments:

  1. What a great garden to end your year of HPSO tours with! Jane does look very much at home in it. I think that starry flower is Aster divaricatus. I love Cimicifuga too. And the Nolina is just gorgeous! I need to get one (next year).

    I have a similar problem with taking pictures of both Callistemon and Grevillea. For some reason they're just smashing in the bed, but in pictures the fine foliage doesn't stand out. I bet those Opuntias looked great when they were flowering!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They even looked great on a bright sunny day!

      Delete
  2. OMG Want want want. How gorgeous! And you are an incredible photographer, Loree. Thank you for sharing, it's my dream garden, really.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very kind Tamara! If he's open next year you should be sure to go!

      Delete
  3. So sad to see the open garden season drawing to a close but what a nice way to bid it farewell. You're right the restraint of this gardener really allows the plants to shine. I've read about this restraint thing, sounds like an interesting if foreign concept.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right? I think restraint means not ever buying plants you don't have a space for...crazy right?

      Delete
  4. This was a beautiful garden. It had such interesting groups and areas of plants that all worked together for a harmonious whole. I'm glad you pointed out how the subtle, soft concrete color of the containers enhanced the plants in them and the total foliage picture: I enjoyed that sense of calm, but didn't until now twig how the containers worked toward that. Great garden for your last HPSO visit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I made it to this garden,I'm still thinking about it. Such an interesting piece of land to garden on.

      Delete
  5. What a calm, peaceful garden. I've said it before but I'll do it again: you're very lucky to have access to so many wonderful local gardeners willing to share their spaces with you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do realize how lucky we are here in Portland. In spite of what I shared a couple of weeks ago we really are a city of gardens.

      Delete
  6. That nice little daisy is the wood aster, now going by Eurybia divaricata. I could follow you around on virtual garden tours all day...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I hope you will on real garden tours next summer Denise!

      Delete
  7. Again, I was hot on your trail! The aster is Aster divaricatus (I'm also lusting after it and am on the hunt). Cimicifuga is now Actea, but the former is more fun to pronounce. His use of Bergenia has given me a whole new perspective on this plant. I had dismissed it as overused and common, but I can always be converted if I see it planted artfully. I love this garden and have been to it at least 3 times now. I always come away with inspiration or ideas to borrow. By the way, there is one more garden open this Sunday that is worth seeing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great minds Lisa! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it to Sunday's open garden...so many gardens, so little time...

      Delete
  8. Another good one. The photo with the empty grey container is great.

    I get a kick out of how Scheffera is popular in your area. Here it is a former house plant someone got sick of and stuck outside to be rid of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah but a hardy houseplant, that's quite a unique thing don't you think? Of course these aren't really the same Schefflera but I suppose that's just a technicality when you live in a virtually frost free climate.

      Delete
  9. You are so fortunate to be close to so many tours. I would garden tour every week if I could...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed I am...and there's another tour coming up this weekend!

      Delete
  10. I always start the season with such good intentions, yet here I sit at the computer instead of out touring gardens. Thank goodness you keep posting about so many wonderful garden visits. The concrete in the bed of black mondo grass rings my bell. Perfect balance of restraint and abundance in this garden, as far as I can tell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Next year ricki!!! And if you're joining the Fling party well then maybe it's better you didn't go because it all will be new for you!

      Delete
  11. Very nice -- such clean restraint with decor and furnishings, but the plantings seem quite lush.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lush indeed. I hate to say it but lush is kind of easy here in Portland...

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!