Thursday, November 9, 2017

The South Waterfront Park, getting out to enjoy the sun

The last week of October was sunny and relatively warm — gorgeous autumn weather in other words — the kind of weather you must take advantage of if you can. I decided to take Lila on a little adventure to explore the South Waterfront of Portland...

We've visited here before, so I knew the grasses would be glorious.

And they were, absolutely perfect...

There were a few folks out walking about but we mostly had the place to ourselves.

I don't understand why this park isn't more appreciated.

Lila found a lot to investigate.

And I soaked up the sun and river views.

Oxydendrum arboreum, aka sourwood

Salvia? Persicaria! (duh, thanks Scott) I love the big leaves.

I couldn't resist going for the reflection shot.

Bloomed out Hedychium coccineum — still quite beautiful.

This Loropetalum is huge!

Hibiscus NOID

Schefflera taiwaniana

Love the variegated Bergenia! I used to have one but it just disappeared. Seeing how these were sited makes me think it got way to much shade.

After we walked the park we ventured on to investigate another planting nearby. In other words there will be more from the waterfront tomorrow...

Weather Diary, Nov 8: Hi 48, Low 43/ Precip .33"

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

32 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful garden in a gorgeous setting. So I am with you wondering why there are so few folks enjoying it. It looks more like an estate garden than a public park.

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    1. It was the middle of a weekday, but still!

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  2. Gorgeous photos. Grasses in fall are a fleeting sight. Is the fountain grass a perennial in your zone?

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    1. Purple fountain grass? Nope, it's an annual.

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    2. "Fountain grass" can refer to any Pennisetum, many hardy to at least zone 7, if not zone 5. Several of your photos show what I'm certain are hardy varieties. Just chiming in because it seems like there's a bit of a disconnect here.

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    3. Thanks Evan, I always appreciate someone filling in info that I don’t know... and I am totally grass stupid! (Which is why I specified “purple”... highly technical).

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  3. I need to get down there during lunch someday...sigh...it does look lovely. I think your salvia may actually be a persicaria...although I wouldn't swear to it.

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    1. Now that you say Persicaria it's obvious. Thank you. And yes...it would be a long walk for you but definitely worth it!

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  4. What a brilliant display! I'm not generally a fan of such grass-heavy plantings, but it certainly shines this time of year!

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    1. These even look good in the summer, the grassy design just feels right for the location.

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  5. Lucky you! It looks like a great place for a stroll! Lila is so cute!

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    1. Ya, she's pretty darn cute, but I am biased.

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  6. What a lovely park! And that's a nice reflection shot of the tree. My Hedychium bloomed its first year in the ground, but never again. It still comes up, it just doesn't give me flowers, but I don't know why.

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    1. Too much shade would be my guess, but I'm sure you've thought of that.

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  7. I gotta get down there!

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  8. I love the rose-gold grass with the silvery plumes - the whole garden is gorgeous!

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  9. That park is very special, indeed. When I lived downtown and its surrounds, I visited often and made it a point to head that way. Glad it's still there and being enjoyed :)

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    1. Ah, glad you've spent some time there! Funny to think of you living in the city. Now that you're a country gal...

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  10. john in cranstonNovember 09, 2017

    Wow-wee!
    "I don't understand why this park isn't more appreciated."
    Truer words are rarely spoken...



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  11. Wow! I hope Lila appreciated the excursion as much as you did.

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    1. She did, she loves to get out and about.

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  12. A sunny day in a sublime park with a sweet furry friend; life doesn't get much better than that. Impressive gardens.

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  13. Is the white ginger Hedychium coronarium? Love the heady scent!

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  14. Such a wonderful place to stroll...must get down there soon.

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    1. I wonder what it's like in the winter? How late they leave the grasses before cutting them down?

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  15. Oh, what a gorgeous park! The grasses are outstanding - not to mention the view. Is it equally fabulous in spring and summer?

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    1. I've not been in the spring, I will have to check it out and report. It is lovely in the summer!

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