The last weekend in June I visited a pair of Hardy Plant Society of Oregon open gardens in Lake Oswego, an upscale suburb about seven miles south of Portland. It was a rainy cold weekend—which might explain why the third garden that was supposed to be open in the area cancelled—and I only ran into a couple other people touring these two gardens.
The first garden as billed as "Rita’s Private Garden" and the description said "Tropical-Mediterranean best describes the vibe of Rita’s numerous garden rooms". I asked Rita how many palms she had, if I remember right the number was 13, including this one supporting a very happy Clematis.
Looking back across the cul-de-sac at the other homes.
And the same, only across Rita's front lawn.
Into the back garden now, with its blooming black bamboo.
And explanatory signage; "Our black bamboo is flowering. It's NOT pretty but it's a once in a century occurrence."
This small shed roof is what I was most captivated by during my visit, Sempervivum!
Sempervivum, aka houseleek. I remember reading years ago that Sempervivum species historically grew directly on thatched or tiled roofs in Europe.
Of course this roof isn't thatched or tiled (it looks to be some sort of rubber coated material) but it is gathering moss and debris witch gives the Sempervivum a nice place to take hold.
From Wikipedia; "The common name "houseleek" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word leac, meaning "plant", since these are literally plants that grow on houses. Some Europeans believed it would ward off fire and lightning strikes. A Welsh tradition holds that having it grow on the roof of the house brings health and prosperity to those who live there."
On the back side of the roof was another spectacular Clematis. Because why not, I mean if you can grow them then why not grow them everywhere?
I really do want a Sempervivum covered roof...
I finally tore myself away from that marvel and walked over to the patio and it's many containers.
Including this amazing mossy business...
And another Clematis, with more Sempervivum!
The property backed up onto a greenspace, what a nice borrowed view.
One more palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and Clematis combo before I leave this garden.
One more palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and Clematis combo before I leave this garden.
The next garden was a bit of a head-scratcher in that there was nobody there to great visitors or answer questions about the garden. I came, I walked, I left... and never saw the gardener. I figured those big windows were looking at a view...
So I was sure to climb up the back side of the garden in an attempt to see what they saw...
Back down to the beginning now. A nice big Loropetalum.
And a NoID Magnolia. I planned to ask the gardener which one it was, but since I never saw them...
And a NoID Magnolia. I planned to ask the gardener which one it was, but since I never saw them...
Yes, you guessed it. Another Clematis, this one growing on an arch over the garden gate.
This garden was sort of carved into a steep hillside. Everything was up, up, up.
The curvy vegetable beds were at the very top of the garden.
And this was in the corner behind them. I don't know what to think.
One last photo before I returned to my car and headed home.
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A huge plus to rain in June, is a sempervivum roof. Amazing. I like how grumpy that lion looks with the moss growing on his face. Lots of personality in this garden, and that mossy covered pot with the X's is gorgeous. 2nd- It's strange no one was around, but your photo of the house - it looks like an empty house. I'd expect a FOR SALE sign, not OPEN GARDEN. That curvy bed deserves better, is that a piggy bank plopped in the middle?!
ReplyDeleteThe clematis and the trachy. First thought was, A happy clem can do that by June?! Second thought, Do I want that kind of display in June, when the garden is just getting out of bed so to speak? Maybe yes. Not sure. But good to know it's possible. Also, wow, what a toehold that trachy provides. And the second garden's approach to visitors is so interesting, maybe kind of an introvert/extrovert struggle going on there.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Sempervivum-topped roof, even while recognizing that there would be little chance of growing something like that here - partly because that's one of the few succulents that doesn't seem to like my part of SoCal and partly because I think our summer heat would torch the plants anyway. The host-less second garden was indeed a head scratcher.
ReplyDeleteOut of frustration, I'm going to note that Blogspot's latest change to its blogroll has created an even more confusing mess, making it utterly useless, at least in my case. I'll wait awhile to try to do anything with it on the hope and a prayer that Google will do something before I try to repair it from scratch myself.
I've got a shed that's growing moss and tiny bits of sedum angelica on the roof. Maybe I should pitch some semp babies up there too. Hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteThat chain link fence thing looks like a dog kennel to me. Perhaps a previous owner?
I think clematis is beginning to haunt you. If it's any consolation, you aren't the only person who repeatedly kills them (ahrm, cough cough)