Monday, July 28, 2014

The Garden Conservancy Tour 2014, garden #2

This was officially the third garden on the tour, but the second I visited. Called the Manzanita Garden it was instantly my favorite.

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.

28 comments:

  1. Fab. Where might I stalk this garden, Loree? Don't see them on HPSO tours...

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    1. Emailed you an address, perhaps they'll be in next years HPSO open book. The female half of the ownership is a garden designer so opening for the public would seem to be a great way to show off her talents.

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  2. That was the first garden we visited, we loved it too. I'm amused that we got some almost identical shots, of the bug hotels and the little house with its cool window view. I also adored the gutter and unusual downspout.

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    1. I was afraid the small space was going to make it impossible to get any good shots, but the people all just flowed through so nicely if you waited just a minute or two you could usually get what you were aiming for.

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  3. What a charming garden! I love all the little vignettes with rocks and succulents. The strip in the driveway is the best! I am with you on the signs! I have a natural habitat sign and can't seem to put it up. I am like that with T-Shirts with writing on them too : )

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  4. Looks like one could have a pretty nice experience without even getting inside. I love that about these neighborhoods. Even better experience seeing the whole thing: thanks for taking us there.

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    1. Oh now you've got me wondering about the actual inside! I bet the interior of the home is pretty great too.

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  5. Love the outreach signage. Getting people to stop a while and think about it? Priceless!

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  6. What is the name of the plant in photo #1?

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    1. Jane it's a monarda (bee balm) either pre or post blooming. I think post, but then again I'm not very familiar with the stages of this one.

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  7. I love that little walkway! Lots of nice ideas here. Especially effective now that I know what a 50'x100' space really means. :)

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    1. I could easily get distracted looking up lot sizes for all the local gardens I visit!

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  8. That's a manzanita?? The attention to detail of this garden is amazing. That outdoor bedroom is such a cool place to hang out especially in the summer.

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    1. Indeed, an especially twisty and photogenic one.

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  9. Just when I've decided I don't need to have a bigger doorway for my shed…you show me this one !

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  10. How beautiful! Love the manzanitas and that sidewalk garden is fantastic. that eryngium in the second shot is beautiful. For some reason I never can seem to keep it going here.

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    1. Some eryngium love me (or my garden rather) and some do not. I wish I knew the secret.

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  11. Oh yeah, I do believe that's one of my favorite online "tour" gardens to-date. The pathways, benches, etc., are warm and welcoming. Nice job with the coverage, and wow--that's exactly the type of garden I'd want to have if I lived in Portland. Maybe some ideas to borrow...

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  12. A gorgeous garden with all kinds of cool ideas. Love the outdoor bedroom! I'm with you regarding the collage of signs. Like Nike said in their ad campaign, "Just do it." I'm not particularly fond of bumper stickers either unless they cover the entire vehicle and become an artistic statement.

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    1. Yes! Occasionally I get behind a car with a really clever bumper sticker and enjoy the laugh but for the most part I consider them a blight on the landscape just like billboards.

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  13. Es precioso. Saludos.

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  14. Nice garden. I like the sedum driveway strip. I don't like all the signs either, though I supposed advertising the concept is the intent. Thanks for the tour.

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  15. Hi Loree, I dont know where Mike & I have been all this time (Dec 7, 2015) but we just discovered your wonderful post about our garden! So kind of you! Thank you! Love to visit your garden! Cheers! Marina Wynton

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