Another Study Weekend garden, Davis McCoy

After visiting the North Portland gardens of Eastman/Griffin, Ferrante, and Wynton/Pajunas, I was off to the open gardens in SE Portland, all part of the first day of the 2025 HPSO Study Weekend. First up was the Davis/McCoy garden.

This planting, which sort of riffs on the grass meandering up the side of the driveway (photo above), was in the hellstrip.

From the garden description: "This small urban garden has a big personality. Started in 2015, change is its spirit and companion. The garden is designed with perennial plants based on the colors of their blooms and leaves, as well as plant textures..."

Up closer to the house, steel-sided vegetable planters.

And homemade vertical planting towers.

This work area was at the end of the driveway, hidden from the front yard by a short wood dividing wall.

More from the event booklet: "Access to the backyard is via a driveway lined with potted trees leading to an arbor covered with hardy kiwi. The entrance to the backyard is a small bluestone patio with a pebble mosaic, overshadowed by a tall trellis filled with clematis that obscures a larger bluestone patio. A curved stone stairway leads to the larger patio and features a sculpture by Ivan McLean at the top. A huge blue spruce dominates the backyard and treats itself to most of the soil moisture, so many plants live in multi-colored ceramic pots arranged around the patio. A large Yucca rostrata joins a few other plants and small trees that are happy in the dry soil. Around a corner is a custom-designed “wiggly” path with mountain laurel and Tetrapanax with ceramic pots along the side."

Perhaps that is the Ivan McLean sculpture? Not being one for garden art, the name didn't mean anything to me. 

I do know that's the Yucca rostrata.

There was also a large fountain squeezed into the mix. There was a lot going on in a very small space, it felt a little chaotic.

The wiggly path, with my feet for scale.

Again, a lot happening in a small space. I love every single one of these hardscape materials, but really would have liked to see them each given their own moment to shine, rather than butted up against each other. 

Then again, I was at Portland's Japanese garden the other day and noticed a mash-up of a similar quantity and type of materials, so maybe I'm one who just craves calm. 

Coniogramme emeiensis 'Golden Zebra'? Or Coniogramme japonica 'Variegata'?

I'm not smart enough to know how to tell the difference, but I do know these specimens were grown well, whichever they are.

Nope. Don't even think about it! (a kinda sorta pathway that was a little bit tempting)

And back down streetside to admire more of the hellstrip plantings.

The Bit at the End

While I wasn't familiar with the name of the artist referenced by the Davis/McCoy's (Ivan McLean), the name Ruth Asawa is one I immediately know and appreciate. I can't remember what led me to this April 2025 story from the NYT, but it's a good one. Here it is as a gift article if you're curious; Ruth Asawa’s Astonishing Universe Began at Her Door.

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