I expected the garden of Bob Hyland and Andrew Beckman to be fabulous, but it was better than that. It was (insert superlative of choice, as long as it isn’t “awesome”…not that the garden isn’t, but, well, you know…)
Art is used sparingly, but makes a big impact. This sphere of logs is one of the first things up as you walk down the driveway.
The eye is drawn to the long view,emphasized by rows of hedges in the foreground, leading to the river, the industrial district, the foothills, and, on a clearer day, the mountains in the far distance.
I was fortunate to run into Norm and Scott, seen here with Bob, our gracious host, and proprietor of Contained Exuberance in SE Portland..
His shop sells elegant containers, some that he has already planted up in his inimitable style. I’m going to show you some of the ones strategically placed around his property (without comments, so I can squeeze in more eye candy):
Hover dishes take things aerial. I could go on…and on…but you can see from this sampling how deftly Bob matches style of pot to planting material.
So let’s move on to the garden proper, where the hillside setting lends itself to layered planting…
within which many noteworthy vignettes may be found.
Verbena hastata
Some plants went on my wish list, like the above Verbena hastata…
and Gladiolus papilii, flanking the stone stairs up the hill, with Scott clicking away in the background.
Just thought you might like a closer look at that flower form.
A chocolate mimosa frames a view up the back hill, with a veggie garden in the middle distance. The cone shapes that echo the color of the mimosa are lettuces that have been allowed to bolt. I’ve pulled out bolting lettuce for the last time.
See how the floating airiness of Gaura lindenhamerii is emphasized against the dark background?
Taking leave would be terribly sad, were it not for the cheerful border along the way out.
Sempervivums
I can’t imagine a more perfect placement of Sempervivums nestled among rocks and gravel. If you see plants in this post that you simply must have (and how could you not) a good place to begin your search would be Xera Plants. After all, it adjoins Bob’s shop and is known for its forward-looking inventory of plants.
The garden is worthy of most of the words on the list of “awesome” substitutes I searched! Does magnificent work?
He definitely is in the right business with his containers and plant combinations so good I plan to try a few of them too, even pinned them for future reference.
“Magnificent” works for me. Look for ward to seeing what you do with his inspiration.
Bob’s garden was part of the Hardy Plant Study Weekend, and every bit of it was inspiring, but especially that hillside with its wonderful mix of full-sun xeric plants. It almost made me wish I had a hillside to garden on. Almost — if I did, I’d break an ankle. Still plenty to take away.
The hillside really does put everything within view. They seem to have terraced it in a way that makes each tier somewhat manageable. Glad you got to see it.
Wow. What a treat. I love it.
Open gardens are on of the best things about summer.
The garden is filled with wonderful touches but still manages to look natural and effortless. I’m still trying to figure out how that log sphere was constructed.
I puzzled over that one too.
I wish that I could have made it out to see Bob and Andrew’s garden this year. I did see it last August and it was fantastic evening, deserving of all this praise.
Yep, this is definitely one that deserves repeat visits.
Nothing better than a plant-rich garden — except maybe a plant-rich post about it if the garden is too far to visit!
I love the way blogging lets us expand our reach and visit gardens, virtually, that we would never otherwise get to see.
I must have just missed you ! I’m so glad I got myself out to see this garden…beautiful, beautiful !
I think the word is out that this is one not to miss. I hear quite a few of our cohort came throughout the day.
Lovely all around! His containers are to die for, but I also really love his touch on a larger scale. How he juxtaposed those hedges with the horizontal view of river, industry and mountain is pure genius! Love it – I’m so bummed I missed this. After last year’s posts on his garden, I swore I would go this year, but alas not. I will keep trying…
I’m betting he will open his garden again next year…always something to look forward to.
I love this use of succulents for pots, I’ve started some myself this year but can see I have a long way to go! Inspiring.
I’ve been working on it for years, but getting just the right combination of plants still eludes me. I usually stick to one pot, one plant.
Amazing! Each corner of this garden has a treasure!
Thanks for showing Verbena hastata – must have it.
And I didn’t come close to showing it all.
Totally awesome! I mean, fantastic garden. So much to love … the grasses, the Verbena, the Gladiolus, and that summer border. Awes – I mean, wonderful.
Hee Hee…thanks for your restraint. I realize it’s tempting to use the A word when faced with such fantabulousness.
Far out garden man and super groovily planted pots!
I think he would like that description.
Simply stunning, Ricki. I just shared this post on my FB page as an example of perfect matching of plants to pots. But the whole place is really beautifully designed.
He earned his chops in some pretty famous gardens and it shows. We’re lucky he chose Portland for home base.