The last week in September I made the roughly 1 hour and 45 minute drive to Svensen, Oregon, just east of Astoria. I was off to see a garden that I'd learned of thanks to Skyler of
Tangly Cottage Gardening. She and Alan visited the garden last July and shared photos
in this post. The garden really appealed to me and soon (thanks to Skyler) it's maker, Dorothy Danielson, and I were Facebook "friends" and I was scheming on a visit. I showed up on a very rainy morning and was quickly welcomed and ushered unto the house. A house that is one with the garden that surrounds it. The view from the dining area...
And the kitchen sink.
The house is worthy of it's own blog post (Dorothy designed it), but since this is a garden blog that's what we'll be concentrating on.
We're back out streetside now, where I'll begin the garden tour under a handsome eucalyptus.
Folks, be warned. This is a long post with many photos, settle in. Dorothy was an amazing hostess who toured me through the garden with stories and details about the garden, the plants, and her life. I had just met this woman moments earlier but already felt like we were old friends (remember, gardeners are the best people).
That healthy clump of bamboo had just been shaped up by Dorothy's garden helper the day before my visit.
Yes, that sculptural trailer belongs to her as well.
There are many wonderful containers in this garden.
The welcome tree...
With fabulous bones.
For weeks I'd put off finalizing the day for my visit, hoping to schedule it when the weather would be nice. Then (seemingly out of the blue) the forecast changed and the day turned rainy, but you know what, this garden comes alive in the rain! There are so many catchment devices that I would have completely missed on a dry sunny day.
That wall, when I saw it in
Skyler's post I knew I had to see it in person.
But before I completely gave myself over to viewing the wall, I had to appreciate this vignette.
Dorothy is an artist in every since of the word. She paints, but she also creates artistic garden vignettes...
Now, to the wall...
The container is an automobile fender (Dorothy's partner Jerry is a car guy) and the fern planted itself.
If I remember correctly Dorothy's son brought her the metal tree grates.
The wall does block an unwanted view, but it also becomes a view. It is so darn good.
Turning towards the house...
Okay, I was aiming for the potted succulents (especially that sexy yet to be planted Agave ovatifolia recently picked up at Cistus) but there's the wall again!
Oh my... so many containers!
And rocks, Dorothy does love rocks.
Peeking over the containers at the fire circle, which we will visit a little later.
I mentioned Dorothy's love of rocks, but surely you've noticed them, everywhere? That big one below is extra special to her.
Looking back over my shoulder, that rock in the center of the pathway is positioned just so, underneath a downspout, where it's depression can fill with water.
As you can probably guess I was in heaven with all of Dorothy's unique metal and cement pieces.
Dorothy and her garden helper, Brandon, built the rock columns. You can see the one on the right is still under construction.
Now that's a rain chain! Aka an auger, maybe a grain auger?
You'd have thought I'd have climbed those stairs to get a better view of the tetrapanax and the garden, but I did not. I was too caught up in conversation.
And looking at the interesting things all around me, like this raised pond with plants and rocks completely surrounding it.
This interesting tree sculpture was formed by the roots growing in a tall cylindrical pot that broke, the roots have grown into the ground. Dorothy used rocks to keep it all in place, artistically.
I do love a stock tank holding pen.
That building is where Dorothy will be moving many (most?) of her containers for the winter.
I complimented this beautiful bromeliad and Dorothy told me she bought it at Cistus. Clearly I needed to visit again! (
and I did).
Agaves ✓, a bromeliad ✓, and a pyrrosia✓... all my favored plants I hope to see when visiting the garden of a like-minded gardener.
And now the fire circle area we glimpsed earlier.
Unfortunately this garden visit is drawing to a close.
In my reality though Dorothy and I were off to have a tasty lunch at
Ship Out Fish & Chips in Astoria, where the salmon was tasty! Thank you so much Dorothy for welcoming me into your home and garden. I can't wait to get back and visit again!
Oh, and on the way out I snapped another photo of the wall...
All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
It's wonderful when you connect with a kindred spirit! I foresee more stops by Dorothy's garden in the future, and I'm sure one will be under blue skies. That bamboo clump may be the best I've ever seen and I love the pond.
ReplyDeleteI wish she was closer, I can't even remember the last time I was out that way before this visit. That bamboo lump is magic isn't it?
DeleteI love the wall and the plant that looks like a waterfall. I also like the column made of rocks. Very creative!
ReplyDeleteI failed to mention the grass masquerading as a waterfall, glad you picked up on it.
DeleteLoree, I am just Sad that we Live so Far Apart. So Nice to Meet You Finally! Skyler has been Saying we Need to Meet!!! Am So Glad You Enjoyed my Different Dirt World! For Sure Not Pristine! But oh so Warm and Comfortable to Me! My Rocks n Plants! Thank You so for You Being Here. Look forward to Our Continued Friendship. We are Raining Today and I am going to Continue the Cleaning and Mucking of The Greenhouse! Yep Bigger Greenhouse Needed! How Did There get to be So Many Plants that need to go In. As much as I Love Cistus, Am glad I don't live Closer to It! Thank You and Am Glad You Enjoyed Your Visit! Next Time Let's do It in The Sunshine!
ReplyDeleteSunshine! Definitely. I look forward to a future visit, thank you so much for your hospitality Dorothy!
Deletedefinitely having a hard look at that wall! thanks for the detailed tour of Dorothy's amazing garden. The kindred spirit is strong here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence that this post went up while you were scheming. I can't wait to see what you come up with Denise!
DeleteI don't even know what to say. There are so many wonderful vignettes, I'll have to go through your post a few more times to take them all in.
ReplyDeleteThat corrugated metal wall. OMG!
Glad you saw this post Gerhard, I thought of you with the rocks.
DeleteWow! What a cool garden!
ReplyDeleteIt shares some similarities with other gardens you have shown, but it is quite different as well.
You were right about the rain adding to character of the garden.
I love the old, gnarly Acers in their pots (and the one that isn't in a pot!) They must be quite an old age to have branches and stems like that.
Seriously old, so much character!
DeleteBeautiful and thorough capture of her garden, which I have thought about every day since our visit in July.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for introducing us!
DeleteMethinks I need to start employing my outdoor clutterbug hording tendencies towards producing some garden art this winter. But I don't know whether I have the wherewithal to arrange it as beautifully as Dorothy has. I admire how she pulls it all together and it's obvious she has a plant collector's heart. Lots of great ideas here, including building an actual visual barrier to block out an ugly view, vegetative waterfalls, and the realization that there can never be too many rocks or stones.
ReplyDeleteHer home is similar in color to yours too isn't it? I can see a lot of these ideas transferring quite well to your compound.
DeleteYes, a lot of the same colors. I am much less organized though and I don't have a good sense of design. I need to just get out there and practice until I get it right.
DeleteOh, I saved this post to enjoy with my breakfast. I finished my egg & toast about 1/16th in, I had to stop and zoom in on practically EVERY picture. It's just so fabulous, the wall! And the fern planted itself, of course it did. I love her stacking of rocks, then placing a pot on top. And the Grand Poobah is the pot way up high on top of the rock column. So many great things here, and I need to go back to Urban Ore for that metal table - and the metal grates, what was I thinking? This is a post I'll revisit, it's just incredible. Her house looks pretty amazing as well. I'm so glad you shared this!
ReplyDeleteWhat were you thinking! Get back there and scoop those up! Glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteWhat an extraordinary garden. Thank you for these glimpses, Loree (via Skyler, thanks to you, too!). I wonder if Dorothy has open garden days? It begs a visit, although I am sure Dorothy has too many tasks to host loafers...I will bring my weeding tools and gloves and donate a couple of hours! (Although I did NOT notice any weeds, thanks to not having to entertain a lot of visitors, no doubt! :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about an open garden, people would LOVE that. From experience I can say she's very welcoming. Maybe a small group? I'm sure she would happily put you to work for a couple hours.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoy a photo heavy garden post. When the visit captures an artist's spirit and inspirational art it's even better. I could have commented on oh-so-many vignettes and ideas. A jaw dropping favorite: the sculptural roots of a Japanese maple that broke out of its tall cylindrical pot!
ReplyDeleteChavli
There was so much to take in, interesting vignettes everywhere I looked. I am glad you enjoyed the many photos!
Delete