Thursday, February 4, 2021

Elk Rock Garden, the garden of the Bishop’s Close

When my hamamelis (witch-hazel) starts to bloom I feel a gentle pull to visit the Elk Rock Garden of the Bishop’s Close...

I have no doubt this garden would be lovely to visit on any day of the year, but my first ever visit took place in February as part of a "garden in winter" appreciation tour for the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon. Thus I can't help but think of it during this time of the year.

Winter also means moss and Polypodium glycyrrhiza—the licorice fern.

There is a rather nice view from the back of the house, that's Mt Hood.

The first of several hamamelis  in the garden.

There is also a young Garrya elliptica already displaying its long silky tassels.


I originally pulled up at the gate, intending to visit, on Sunday, January 17th, they were closed however—only keeping M-F hours. I returned on Tuesday and wandered the garden for a good long time, only seeing two groups of visitors.


Oh and the weather was perfection!





I think of this as salamander pond. When I visited years ago with Andrew and Lila (our sweet Chug who has since passed on)—Andrew found multiple salamanders near this pond.

The view down to the Willamette River.

A very "Pacific Northwest in the mild wintertime" scene.

Leaning madrones.

The first Rhododendron sinogrande I remember seeing. It has put on significant growth since that day.



Peter Kerr and his wife Laurie King lived in the house, which passed on to the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon after his death at 95. I would love a room with wall to wall windows like that...

It was Peter Kerr who created the gardens here.

And now we're back where we started this visit, but this time we'll climb the stairs.

Araucaria araucana, the monkey puzzle tree.

Heading to the hamamelis "hot-spot"...


And the sign says: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'


Looking back at the hamamelis in the distance.

And heading back towards the car...

With one last look up from the parking area...

Weather Diary, Feb 3: Hi 48, Low 39/ Precip .17 

All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

19 comments:

  1. I LOVE northwest gardens such as this heavenly place. Walking the trails on a late winter day can be a religious experience. I look for licorice fern when in nurseries, but I no luck so far. The Garrya tassels are beautiful, and so is the cyclamen adjacent to the mossy rock.

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    1. If you're down in Portland sometime try Xera Plants, I am pretty sure they've offered it. In fact maybe ask a local nursery who carries their plants if they can get it for you?

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  2. I love witch hazel - and moss and ferns. Sometimes I wonder how I ended up so firmly rooted very dry SoCal...

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    1. I wish we could do a garden/house swap for a couple months each year.

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  3. This is one of my very favorite gardens and best kept secrets in the Portland area. Thank you...

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  4. It looks magical. Just shows how successful a winter garden it is as well.

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    1. Indeed. Now someday I am going to make it over to visit when their magnolia collection is blooming.

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  5. What a special place this is. I too think of it in winter, which is the only time I've visited. You took amazing photographs, Loree. Just what we all needed, just so lush and green and PNW. Something to aspire towards.

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    1. Thanks Tamara! There were plenty of not so good photos too, but there on the electronic compost pile...

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  6. Oh what a beautiful garden. So nice to see the emergence of Spring. I am really going to miss my annual Feb foray to the West Coast and the NWGFS this year. Thanks for the tour.

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    1. Yes I agree. Not getting to go to the NWFG Show is a MAJOR bummer. We could have made a point of meeting this year! Maybe next...

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  7. It has been years since I visited the Bishop's Close. You've inspired me, Loree! And speaking of garden inspiration, have you watched the 2020 version of the film The Secret Garden? We did last week and loved the garden scenes. It's an amalgam of several gardens in the UK, all of which I now want to visit.

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    1. I have not! Thank you for the recommendation. Hope you find the chance to visit the Bishop's Close soon.

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  8. Oh, I have a feeling I would LOVE this place, the mossy rocks alone are worth the visit.

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  9. Hot spot is right. So glad to see winter views of this garden.

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