Lan Su, a beautiful distraction when I needed it most

I wish it weren't the case, but my mood is heavily influenced by the weather. A grey cloudy day has me feeling down and lethargic. When the sun shines and the sky is blue, I am upbeat and full of positive energy. Last Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day here in Portland and I set out for Lan Su (our Chinese Garden) and the Chrysanthemum Festival.

Begonia grandis

I used to be a regular visitor to Lan Su and the festival, I think it was probably COVID that broke the pattern. I also used to be a member at the garden, but let it expire when I felt like the plants were no longer the focus. 

This sign board was one of the first things I saw at the garden during my visit. Since I was feeling extra sensitive that morning the first sentence hit me hard. The key to staying sane will be to do exactly this, in whatever form you are able.

The garden was a beautiful place to be that day...

The Floral Design Showcase is a big part of the festival and I found it shocking how different the entries were from the last time I visited, less theatre, more natural floral arranging. This is Perennial Heritage, by Lauren Say.

Sonnet 73 by, Kefira LaValley.

So many of my old favorite plants were missing. Winter deaths? Maintenance issues in the garden? This podocarpus was looking good however.

As was the Poncirus trifoliata.

Golden Longevity: a Chrysanthemum and Dried Flower Celebration, by Jen Rich.

Long Live the Queen of Fall Flowers, by Peggy Donovan.

This arrangement was not signed, maybe created by the garden staff? I suppose I should also note that I didn't photograph all the arrangements in the garden that day. I only focused on the ones that I liked.

Mums in Moonlight, by Rachel Galloway.

Forest Bathing, by Ellen Hansen.

It had been so long since I'd visited that I'd completely forgotten about this luxurious patch of Pyrrosia sheareri in the garden.

It's happy and healthy!

I'd not forgotten about the Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' however...

Those small green balls, after the petals fall, they're fantastic.

As I walked into the far SW corner of the garden I was thinking there was a plant there that I used to love to visit. Was it the edgeworthia? No, I mean it was always nice to see, but there was something else, something more "special"... ah! That leaf! Yes. Look up dummy...

Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida’, the cutleaf Emperor Oak. It's so tall now.

There was no signage to say if these bonsai were part of the garden's collection or perhaps on loan?

The one in the middle appealed to me, with it's green layers.

Pinus bungeana (lacebark pine)

A rhododendron (left) that I can't ID, and the sexy legs of a what I assume is a crepe myrtle.

I spent about an hour wandering this city-block sized garden. I chatted with a few other visitors and managed to forget my worries for a while. Gardens (especially ones where we aren't responsible for the upkeep) are good for that.

To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note; these are sent from a third party, their annoying ads are beyond my control. 

All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.