An afternoon at Elk Rock Garden and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

It was a gorgeous 80+ degrees on October 15th, and also very windy. A great day to be outside, but not a great day to be working in the garden. So I set out to visit Elk Rock Garden and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I've visited (and shared images from) Elk Rock many times, but I think this sign is new since my last visit. Who would think of moving the newts (red outline added by me)!? (every 12 year old boy that's who)

This visit I started my walk from a slightly different spot, it's good to change things up.

Oxydendrum arboreum, the sourwood tree.

I've read it's the leaves that have a sour taste and give this tree it's common name. I know it for its yellow seeds and vibrant fall foliage.

A sunny day with a low sun-angle makes for very challenging photography.

This area with troughs from Berry Botanic Garden (a local botanic garden that has been shuttered for many years) seemed more cared for than in the past.

Although the troughs could still use a little more love.

I wonder why "The Berry Botanic Garden" is no longer legible at the bottom of the signage?

I don't remember seeing this fern on previous visits, interesting. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I have an idea, maybe a little guerrilla gardening? (hmm...) I hope it lives.

I love this view. Maybe not the best day to photograph it though.

Monkey puzzle! (Araucaria araucana)

Cyclamen hederifolium

Next up that afternoon, Portland's Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, I'd never before visited, so it was time.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a feeling this was more of a park-like setting than a botanic garden, and that was definitely the case.

Old rhododendron legs...

And a bit of history...

"Here in the charm of this exquisite garden living beauty may ever dwell in full glory..." the beginnings of the garden date to 1950 and it seems to have earned the blessing of the American Rhododendron Society.

Did I mention what a beautiful day it was?

Muskrat? Nutria? I'm not sure but I'm leaning towards Nutria.

Mr. Duck giving me the side-eye for disturbing its nap.

I do love a weeping willow, especially one water-side.

Opuntia! That's unexpected.

I looked around for an Agave but did not spot one.

I saw the fruit laying around before the foliage. I know Gingko fruit has a stinky reputation, I didn't detect an odor but also didn't pick any up to get closer, and was careful not to step on it.

Ferns growing out of a rock wall are *almost* as good as agaves growing out of a rock wall.

Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilim, maybe?

This wall and its fern inhabitants might be my favorite feature of the garden.

Asplenium scolopendrium, the Hart's-tongue fern

Will I return to the CSRG? Maybe. It's a little more challenging to visit than Elk Rock, in that there's a very small parking lot and an admission fee.

Still, I suppose I'll need to return in the springtime, to really give it a proper look over. It did make a nice place to wander on an unusually warm autumn day.

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All material © 2009-2026 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude. 

Gene Rozenboom and Randy Patton's garden; De Tuin Bij Montmore

I've been out to visit a few HPSO member Open Gardens this summer and this garden, De Tuin Bij Montmore, was one of my first stops. To be honest the description of the garden wasn't one that would normally draw my attention, including as it did phrases like: "The “Dutch Wave” Garden inspired by garden designer Piet Oudolf’s Singer Museum is now complete" and "In addition to the abundant conifer and Japanese maples, a large number of grass species growing in the garden make comparison easy." Not that there's anything wrong with those items, they're just not my thing. So, the reason I chose this garden is that Gene is bringing a group to visit my garden in August and I wanted to meet him and ask him a couple questions. The tour is organized through Horticulture/Garden Gate Magazine and it's being billed as Explore Portland's Most Inspiring Gardens. Ha, no pressure there!

So here's the first photo I took in Gene's garden. While I'm not a fan of red bark mulch in general I appreciated the new vs. old delineating the pathways, otherwise I wouldn't have been sure I was meant to walk up there. The next thing I noticed... the shaggy lollipop conifers!

Aren't they freakishly adorable? 

There are more (different) across the pathway...

I loved the large steel planters and could go crazy out here cutting lilies...

Looking back down at the pathway...

And inspecting the lilies a little closer...

There's part of the dwarf conifer collection...

Walking further along the upper pathway and the well-appointed deck comes into view. Notice the curving cement pathway as it passes by the base of the stairs.

There is a narrow planting of Equisetum hyemale (horsetail) backed by Muehlenbeckia axillaris (wire vine) all along the rock wall there. Wow. I love the combination but I'm afraid to let those plants loose in my garden. Gene said he's not worried since the horsetail is constrained by the wall and cement.

Looking further down the pathway...

At the end, where it turns to join another path to the front door of the home.

Now I've retraced my steps and I'm on the ground level beside the elevated deck. Gene has joined me and is giving a quick overview of the garden. Here he's planted a trio of Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'  (bald cypress). He prunes the one in the middle drastically to get this tall column of bright green foliage. I love the look!

Walking around to the front of the home.

Gene pointed out this Japanese maple, I did appreciate the colorful foliage against the green background. In fact Gene's enthusiasm as he toured me around, pointing out plants I wouldn't have given a second glance (as well as ones he knew I loved), was inspiring. I need to do better with visitors to my garden.

This little conifer had a great mix of blue and green needles.

The "Dutch Wave" garden referenced in the garden's description was planted on newly acquired property next door. It seems these days everyone's expanding their garden on to neighboring property! (I'm looking at you Tracy)

Everyone's planting a Wollemi Pine too! (okay, not really—just the ones in the right place, at the right time, with the right bank balance).

Gene was sure to point out this "danger garden" plant, Rosa sericea ssp. omeiensis f. pteracantha (the wingthorn rose). Oh how I love it! Sadly I had to give it up, as it wanted to be too large for my small garden and it was getting tired of my constantly cutting it back.

These were a surprise, Pycnosorus globosus/Craspedia globosa, aka billy balls. Not reliably hardy in Portland, Gene said they managed just fine through our recent mild winter.

Another favorite, Berkheya purpurea. 

I planted two in my garden a few years ago, both of which the damn bunnies ate almost immediately. One of them eventually grew back, but it's in so much shade now that I only get one flower stalk a season.

I think the tall green stems are rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium. There were several nice swathes of different eryngium in the garden.

Leonotis ocymifolia or Leonotis leonurus? I'm not sure.

Who cares when you've got those orange blooms?

The house and garden as seen from the former "property next door".

A nice sit-spot...

I covet that chair!

The big planter as well.

A better look up at the deck...

And it's time to go...

The Bit at the End

The garden's name, De Tuin Bij Montmore, translates to The Garden at Montmore. According to the website lastnames.myheritage.com; "Montmore" is a French surname and toponym. It broadly translates to an elevated geographical area or a "mountain." Thanks to a website called Portland's Creative Realtors I learned that "in the Portland, OR area, Montmore is often used to refer to The Sanctuary of Montmore, a famous 1989 mid-century/modern architectural property located in Southwest Portland's tree-lined hills near the Bridlemile neighborhood" if you're curious, here's a listing for that property. Gene and Randy's garden is definitely in SW Portland's tree-lined hills.

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All material © 2009-2026 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.