Christine Weaver's open garden

Christine Weaver's East Portland garden was open in May, on the same day I visited other HPSO open gardens (here). I ran out of time that day, thankfully she opened again in late August and I was sure to be there...

I'd be tempted to grow a vine on that interesting metalwork.

Arctostaphylos at the base.

Spikes on the front porch...

You never really know what you're gonna see when you attend an open garden, but I was getting the feeling there was a kindred spirit at work here.

The garden description from the HPSO website: "Only 12 years old, this garden is maturing into a stay at home oasis. Enter over a bridge that creates the fernery. In August, hardy hibiscus and dahlias dazzle. A shed turned into a summerhouse overlooks the fruits and vegetables. Cacti sentinels guard the roses. Carnivorous plants dot the flowerbeds. The lawn gets mowed once a month to allow lawn daisies and clover to bloom, but not get too messy or need very much water. Pause to swing and take in the whole view. Of course you 'shudda' been here last week, or next week, as it is always changing!"

I really loved the way the pavers around this tree in the front garden create a planting pocket.

There were interesting vignettes everywhere you looked.

And so many opuntia!

The side yard with the bridge over the fernery...

This is always a moment filled with trepidation. What will be around the corner? 

It's a good sign though when there are interesting plants and planters at the corner, marking the entrance to the back garden. That's a great looking roscoea.

Up on the fence at eye level was this creative composition...

It took me a few minutes to see it, maybe you did right away? The rusty pliers are baby birds in a barbed wire nest. Page back up and you'll see one of the parents coming in to feed them. 

Into the back garden we go...

Nicely pruned edgeworthia (the well-pruned corokia I wrote about on Wednesday is just to it's right)...

There were several tall cholla in containers in this garden, they stay in place year-round.

Lots of sarracenia too.

I love a gardener who can't resist hanging plants from sturdy branches...

Sturdy pipe frame to support floppy plants.

The back fence and edibles in raised planters.

The shed turned summerhouse referenced in the garden description.

I forgot to ask how they keep the racoons out of their water bowls.

Wowsa!

Opuntia wrightii

I love that elevated mossy, sedumy, goodness...

I think I'd need to add more plants though.

Even the storage is decorative in this garden!

Another pipe frame, this one strung for growing vines, or sweet peas? Or?

Super narrow shade structure...

That's just perfect for a wooden swing.

I'll close out with a few wide shots. This looking to the back of the garden with the shed and raised veggie and flower planters.

That's an exuberant planting, no empty space...

Did you notice the nice metal details on the corners?

Crumpled seems like the perfect state in which to photograph these dirty grey hibiscus. I love them! 

A final shot of the dining table area. What a garden, thank you for opening Christine Weaver!

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