April 18, 2016 by ricki

vase, wildflower walk and a new job

A ball of chicken wire is a handy device for holding stems upright in a vase.

The patch of Lily-of-the-valley growing through golden baby tears has grown exponentially each year (starting with a single start from a friend).

I wanted to keep the simplicity of the white and green.

Pristine little bells give off a powerful scent (but not too powerful). Cathy of (Rambling in the Garden) hosts a weekly In a Vase on Monday meme to tickle your nose and your eyeballs. I highly recommend it.

I knew when the Hortlandia posts started rolling in I would regret having missed it. But who would pass up time in the gorge with good friends, good food and wildflowers? Not me!

The drive to their place in Mosier was a dream journey.

We wanted to take some shots out their windows to show how our bird-saving silhouettes can be used without obstructing the view.

And what a view it is!

The last time we hiked Rowena Crest, the Balsam Root was just finishing up. This time it was in full flower.

Lupine on the crest was just getting started, though we saw drifts of it coloring roadsides at lower altitudes.

Less bold, but worth a closer look, larkspur amidst the grasses,

and all sorts of dainties tucked in here and there amongst the bolder show-offs. We passed several fields of Camassia turning the landscape blue but they were behind fences so no photos.

Last, but certainly not least, I answered the call to help out at (Joy Creek Nursery) on Sundays. What kind of a dream job is that? I hope you’ll stop by to say “hello” if you’re in the neighborhood, stroll the fabulous display gardens and fall for a few of the enticing plants in the sales area.

December 9, 2015 by ricki

wednesday vignette & a thanksgiving trip

Anna (Flutter and Hum) hosts every Wednesday with eye-opening observations of a visual and often philosophical bent. This week she confronts dark times with thoughts that put them in perspective. By contrast, my vignette features a world glittering with a dusting of snow and hoarfrost. We were driving to Idaho for Thanksgiving and the road between Walla Walla and Lewiston, all sensual rolling hills, was bespangled under a blue sky.

In Waitsburg, a charming little town along the way, we veered from the main road and stopped to capture this scene.

These charming refugees from the chopping block were quite chatty. Their mistress assured us that they enjoy pet status…no ovens in their future.

After an eight hour drive, we reached our destination: Kathryn & John’s spread overlooking the Clearwater River in Idaho. Sami traveled with us. Call me crazy, but she’s old in cat years and clingier than she used to be. I got her a harness and a leash and steeled myself for a challenging trip. As it was, she settled in my lap and alternated between snoozing and watching the world go by.

The Idaho deer make ours look like pikers. Of course K & J feed and coddle them, so they are fearless in their foraging. Just look at that pile of rocks! That’s what came out of the ground creating the fenced veggie garden. Looks like the start of a swell crevice garden to me, so I’m forwarding to them Loree’s post on that subject appearing today in (Plant Lust).

The birds get plenty of TLC too.

Another large fenced area (with an equally huge pile of rocks) protects a small orchard.

And we thought Portland was cold! Blue skies and sunshine beckoned so we bundled up and traipsed around.

Still frosty on the drive home. To my eye, the wind farms fit right into this landscape. How do you feel about them?

September 9, 2015 by ricki

a vignette from the coast & some recent acquisitions

In order to join Anna (Flutter and Hum) for her Wednesday Vignette, I was scrolling through photos. When I came across this stately tree, seen near Ecola Park earlier in the summer (escaping searing heat in the city) I thought “this is it”. Do click through to see Anna’s eye for pattern, on display with this week’s offering.

Begonia boliviensis ‘Bonfire Orange’

As promised, I want to show you some of the things I picked up on my road trip with Amy. For seventy-five cents, how could I resist Begonia boliviensis ‘Bonfire Orange’? It might seem silly this late in the season, but I hear taking cuttings is quite effective. I’m going to find out.

Helenium ‘Ruby Tuesday’

The Helenium I had by the fence line disappeared, and now I know why. They like to be kept moist. Time to try again with Helenium ‘Ruby Tuesday’.

I was smitten by the flower color and its stature (nice and tall).

I didn’t even know there was such a thing as White Star Creeper. Get a load of those plummy berries and that one remaining white flower. If this takes hold, I will be back for more. I also picked up a wooly thyme and a Sedum pluricale ‘Isle of Saklahlin’. All of the above came from Starkey’s Corner, formerly Larsen Farms.

Polypodium vulgare ‘Bifidomultifidum’

On to Dancing Oaks, where it was the ferns that called out to me. This Licorice Fern was spectacular growing in their display garden, still in tip-top shape after our extended heat wave.

Blechnum penna-marina

One of the perks of traveling with Amy is her sharp eye for things I might otherwise overlook. Once she called my attention to the Alpine Water Fern, I knew I had to have it.

Asplenium ebenoides

Dragon Tail Fern is pretty darn cute. Factor in the name and I’m hooked. A week of clouds and rain (whew) gave me the opportunity to get all of these new treasures into the ground. Which reminds me: better get out there and give them a drink to fortify against the latest heat wave.

August 27, 2015 by ricki

road trip…and vignettes

Amy admiring Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’

Amy (Plan-it-Earth Design) and I hit the road on one of those hot August days. Our destination was Dancing Oaks Nursery, just outside of Monmouth. It involved a beautiful drive through the countryside (we took the back way and avoided the confusion of Salem) and a couple of stops along the way.

This used to be Larson Farms. It was recently taken over by new owners who have been pouring new energy into the place and it shows.

The stock is well presented and cared for, the prices are good and the service is friendly. I look forward to checking back often, as they promise to have timely events and merchandise throughout the year.

Yes, of course I bought some things but I’ll save that for a later post or we could be here all day. Speaking of all day, this is a long drive, made longer by the fact that neither Amy nor I have much of a sense of direction. Traveling back roads, we got off the track and were having too much fun to notice until a sign that said “15 miles to Lincoln City”. Oops! We were nearly to the coast.

Backtracking ate up a good deal of time, and speaking of eating…the little town of Dallas OR looked like our best bet. Too late for lunch, too early for dinner, we did NOT eat at this rather charming little restaurant. Oh, well…food was not the highest priority on this trip. Besides, the day was getting away from us.

At last! The oaks were not dancing on this hot, still late afternoon but they were no less magnificent for that. We were greeted warmly, even though by now it was nearly official closing time, and encouraged to take as much time as we liked (these guys are SO gracious).

This place is inspiring. I swear, one of these days I will start out at the crack of dawn, pack a picnic lunch and spend the whole day here.

Of course it’s about the plants, but there are plenty of ideas for presentation as well. Any trip to Dancing Oaks should include plenty of time to wander the extensive display gardens.

There is a large plaza with water features. That huge pot on a pedestal holds bog garden plants and spills water into the pond.

Some of the happiest carnivores you will ever see live in the shallows of those water features.

Overlooking the plaza is a handsome building devoted to special gatherings and events. Get a load of the size of that palm on the left!

Not sure about the identity of this tree but loved the pale trunk and the candelabras of white flowers. Any ideas? I think that is ‘Esk Sunset’ on the right.

Everywhere we looked there were layers upon layers of elegant combinations.

See what I mean?

Even in death, these Alliums put on a show. Come to think of it, they do seem eerily spectral, haunting their little corner of the garden.

The chalices of this rain chain were a nice shape…and available for sale at point of check-out.

And now for a few parting shots, any of which I offer up as a vignette to link with Anna (Flutter and Hum) for her roundup of Wednesday Vignettes.

May 26, 2015 by ricki

vases and a visit

I kept it simple today, with two arrangements that started with pruned branches. Here, they’re from the Weigelia ‘Wine and Roses’. The flowers on the dark-leaved sprigs are nearly gone, but one little cluster remains. A red rose grows in an unfortunate spot close to the house. Perhaps I should instead deem it fortunate, because the deer will not come that close to nip off every bud before it has a chance to develop. Anyway, this one perfect red rose smells divine.

So here’s your view, as you stoop to bury your nose and drift on the memories the scent evokes.

Artemisia ‘Valerie Finnis’ was threatening to bloom, so I gave her the “Chelsea chop”. I don’t know why silvery plants insist on yellow flowers, but if you catch Valerie while hers are still tight little buds they can be quite pretty in a vase. Digitalis blooms in colors ranging from white through purple. I chose this one in order to keep things subtle and added a single chive blossom just for fun.

Mondays are made special by Cathy (Rambling in the Garden), who encourages us to find something in our gardens to put in a vase every week, regardless of the weather. Offerings range from simple to simply over-the-top. Don’t miss it.

Saturday, we worked all day in the garden, so Sunday had “Road Trip” written all over it. A drive through the country down Canby way took us first to Secret Garden Growers Nursery. A long border showcases many of the plants they offer.

Like this stunning Peony.

Other display beds are newer, promising an even richer experience in years to come.

When you will be coming back to buy plants from the nice women who will serve you popcorn and lemonade under the shade of the stately honey locust tree. I found Kirengeshoma palmata. When I admired this plant during the Fling, I was told that it is nearly impossible to find. Imagine my excitement.

Down the road a piece is Miller’s Manor Gardens. Their display gardens are well established. I picked up lots of ideas for mixing perennials with conifers and deciduous ornamentals.

This alleyway formed by weeping blue atlas cedars might have been the highlight of the trip.

This is what it feels like to walk through that alley.

Paths meander through the property, some flanked by Irises, all clearly labeled. We were told that the Iris Society had visited the day before, 600 strong.

Fall in love with an Iris here, and you will have no trouble tracking it down by name. That held true for other plants as well.

Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’

Cornus kousa ‘Gold Cup’

Quercis robur ‘Concordia’

Clematis ‘Empress’

Shade gardeners are not short-changed here. There’s an extensive collection under those trees.

R had a long talk with the conifer guy while I wandered around. He had something pretty specific in mind and finally Nathan just gave him a little pine tree to try out. That’s garden people for you. I came away with some Digitalis obscura because the one I put in last year came through like a champ.

The Canby area is just south of Oregon City on Hwy 99. These stops were listed with HPSO, but you could find plenty of places to scratch your gardener’s itch if you were to meander around those country roads any time.

March 11, 2015 by ricki

treated like royalty at little prince nursery

I somehow clicked the wrong thing and lost all of the photos taken on our bloggers’ visit to Little Prince of Oregon nursery. Their logo is a crowned frog prince and their motto is “our plants won’t croak”. That down-to-earth friendliness and gentle humor pervades the place and its people. They welcomed us with open arms (and food and drink and complimentary caps) and turned us loose to wander and shop at will. Here’s what came home with me:

Agave lophantha ‘Splendida’

Agave ‘Hammer Time’

Agave gentryi ‘Jaws’

Abutilon megapotamicum

Liriope spicata ‘Silver Dragon’

Geum chiloense ‘Double Bloody Mary’

A trio of Sempervivums that got separated from their tags. I’ve given up trying to keep track of the different names of the semps anyway, but these look like the makings of a nice combination.

and a small sampling of Tillandsias, selected from a mind boggling array of these fascinating air plants.

I don’t feel so bad about losing my photos of Little Prince, because others in our group did a bang-up job of writing up our visit, complete with excellent photos. Click on Danger Garden and Mulchmaid to take Loree’s and Jane’s virtual tours. The next time you are plant shopping, look for the crowned frog prince logo. You will be getting plants raised by people who care.

November 7, 2014 by ricki

favorites done right…at Treephoria

Patricia of Plant Lust pulled some strings to set up a personal tour of Treephoria, a place that erases the “boring” from Boring, OR. That’s Patricia, with her hand up as if to say “here I am”.

Laura of Gravy Lessons and her pirate, Charlie, met us there.

Here’s our host and tour guide, Neil Buley. He was a fount of information.

They had several specimens of one of my favorite trees, Oxydendrum arboretum, or Sourwood. I wrote about the s l o w growth of mine here.

Last year, the poor thing died. That’s the dead trunk (the grey stick). New growth shot up from the roots and soon surpassed the height of the original tree that had struggled for years.

It’s most recent affliction is compliments of the deer, who have nibbled off most of the foliage.

So for a close-up of this splendid tree, we’ll go back to Treephoria. The leaves turn progressively redder and it blooms at the same time, making for quite a show.

Next up: Cercidiphyllum japonicum, or Katsura. I wrote about ours here. We love our Katsura, but the fall color, so far, pales in comparison to the mature specimen above.

Just look at the range of color in those leaves.

I couldn’t seem to stop snapping photos, especially when I saw it with a monkey-puzzle tree in the foreground for contrast.

OK, so that’s it for my favorites, but let’s wander around Treephoria a bit more. Cornus mas the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood was adorned with bright red, shiny fruits.

I’m kicking myself for neglecting to carry a notebook to jot down the names of things like these wavy leaves on colorful stems. Will I never learn?

Maples were spangled with their little wingy things.

Each one prettier than the last.

Here’s something for anyone who, like me, has been smitten with Franklinia but to no avail. Gordlinia Grandiflora is a cross between Gordonia and Franklinia, making it much hardier while retaining those wonderful flowers. I’m game to try this one.

There were some peculiarities too, like this thorny tree trunk. It of course calls to mind Danger Garden, whose earlier post of this place will show you more photos of this spiky wonder and an in-depth tour at a different time of year. Loree is also our host for the favorites meme. Be sure to check in this time, as the format will be changing a bit.

Speaking of hosts, a big Thank You goes out to Neil and Treephoria for hospitality and then some. If you are hankering for a tree and you don’t want to wait for a little bitty thing to gain some stature and presence, this is the place. They will dig, deliver and plant for you, so you know it’s done right.

August 12, 2014 by ricki

cooling off

Just looking at this photo makes you cooler, doesn’t it? As temperatures soared in Portland yesterday, we beat a hasty retreat to the coast, just a short drive away.

First stop, Astoria, where it was still hot. We found a breezy outdoor cafe where we could fuel up on good coffee and a pastry and do a some people watching (lots of interesting, artsy types around Astoria).

A little bit south, entering Cannon Beach, we decided to take a side trip to Ecola State Park. At the pay station we were advised to go first to Indian Beach to avoid the gathering crowds and a long wait to gain entrance. This is what we found: aaah…cooling off already. There were photographers everywhere, intent on capturing that perfect shot of the ocean spray as the surf crashes on the rocks. I’m afraid it was beyond my humble talents.

Surfers were out in force. Such fun to watch, as they catch the occasional perfect wave…and wipe out on others.

Sandcastles, anyone?

The beach is surrounded by primeval forest and hiking trails that connect to the Pacific Coast Trail…another day, perhaps.

Further down the coast, we stopped in Garibaldi, where a long rock jetty extends far out into the bay.

Driftwood piles up on the shore. One nice piece came home with us. It’s that whole beachcombing thing.

I know…you want to know about the plants. Some really tough customers were growing and blooming right there in the beach sand. Crocosmias were popping up everywhere, not only in gardens. I’m guessing they were escapees. I’ve always been impressed by the way Phormiums grow at the coast but this year they were looking a bit tattered (still living though, and huge). Asters were just coming on. They will be putting on quite a show in a week or so, and fireweed and Spirea douglasii were growing along the roadsides.

Beach grasses are tough as nails and seem to know that placing themselves close to sinuous driftwood will show them off to advantage. By this time, the fog was rolling in and it was time to seek out a nice meal with a view of the ocean (I almost like it best shrouded in fog) before heading for home, exclaiming “why do we not do this more often?”

September 23, 2013 by ricki

gardenpalooza and more

I was exhausted from the mad scramble to get the digging and planting and weeding under control ahead of the rain. Not too tired to contemplate a little road trip though.

First up, GardenPalooza. See what a party atmosphere they created by delineating pathways from parking with rows of pumpkins punctuated by hay bales and sheaves of cornstalks? Jenni posted about it here, but unfortunately we were there at different times of the day so our paths did not cross.

This is the back side of the main tent protecting vendors from the vagaries of the weather.

Displays spilled out into the open and into other buildings on the grounds.

Big bins of farmstand produce and a small cafe with freshly baked goods rounded out the offerings.

Of course I was drawn to the banners on display. One bore a sold sign…maybe garden banners are catching on?

Rather than head back onto the freeway, I opted for back roads. This little nursery does not even appear on the OAN retail nursery map, but there it was, beckoning to me by the side of the road. It exudes a funky charm (and a spirit of trust, since everything was right out in the open with no one around). Center stage, that plant stand is a sheet metal planter inverted to serve another purpose.

Several more were on sale. That one front right was $55.00 with an extra sticker for an additional 10% off. I thought that sounded like a pretty sweet deal.

My loose plan was to wend my way to Al’s Garden Center, as I’ve never been there, but then I beheld this sight.

Dahlia fields forever…surrounding Swan Island Dahlias at the very peak of their season.

Three rows of each variety stretch as far as the eye can see, with clear labeling at the head of each row.

I realized, when I started sorting through the photos, that I was drawn to the reds and oranges. ‘Molly Ann’ is quite tall, and such an electric red that it burns out in the photo.

The tousled look of ‘Bed Head’ earns it its name, and get a load of those dark stems.

I keep apologizing for the photos, but it was hard to capture the full effect, especially here with ‘Giggles’ that was actually an orange sherbet/lavender/purple combination that fairly danced before my eyes and had the bees giggling all over them.

‘Gingeroo’ comes off better, with its geometric pattern in a tight, medium-sized ball.

The deep deep red, almost black flowers of ‘Lights Out’ come on a quite low growing plant, which makes it easy to see the way the rows are hilled up. I have to stake dahlias, but here I noticed that even the heaviest blossoms had rarely drooped or broken off, and this after a heavy rain. I was told that they begin early and come back often to pile soil up against the growing stalks of the plants, eliminating the need for staking (on this scale, staking would be a monumental task).

This is a family operation, and there are several namesakes, like this ‘Nick Sr’.

I’m assuming ‘Nicholas’ is one of Nick Sr’s progeny.

The love just keeps coming with this memorial fountain and pool for Nick Sr at an intersection of rows of his beloved dahlias. He must have been quite a guy.

A section near the house is given over to trial gardens. The catalog indicates that a good number of the dahlias offered originated here.

Even the fishes fit in with my color scheme.

And lookee here…more banners! This is a good time to take a spin out to Swan Island Dahlias in Canby to see these flamboyant blooms in real life. Often people stash all of their dahlias in a single bed. I call this the fruit salad approach. It is gaudy and not terribly attractive, but if seen as simply a cutting garden it makes a certain amount of sense. At Heronswood, they tucked them into borders here and there with spectacular results, but then Heronswood operated on a different plane that most of us even aspire to. I resolve, here and now, to struggle in that direction with the intent of keeping the bouquets coming and the borders aglow from mid-July through first frost. I picked up a catalog and am making a list and checking it twice.

June 11, 2013 by ricki

Viscaya & Xera in one day? Whew!

It had been too long since Amy and I had taken a road trip. Neither of us had been to Viscaya, and it was opening day at Xera/Potted, so off we went.

Behind an unassuming chain link fence with tasteful (read: easy to miss) signage is a secret garden that goes on and on.

Grassy paths, punctuated by sculptures and other interesting features, provide access to island beds, each with its own character. As you can see (behind the sculpture) tables of plants for sale are scattered throughout, making for a unique shopping experience.

As if to prove that there is no such thing as a bad plant, Arborvitae has been used to create a labyrinth. Above is a peek into the entrance, with a piece of driftwood for a focal point. The outer walls provide a perfect background for lighter, brighter plant groupings.

A dramatic feature was this large round grassy area bordered by daylilies. Pillars topped with round planted pots guard the entry, with a huge, red shallow pot dead center.

As we worked our way around the back of the building, we came across a thriving Japanese maple (maybe Shishigashura?) in a big pot.

A mature Abelia vine in flower clambered over a fence. Amy said she had never seen one flowering.

We decided this persimmon had to be the tiniest fruit we’d ever seen. The tree was impressive, part of an orchard laid out in a grid.

Each unique tree occupies its own perfect square, with crisp edging of the grass path surrounding it.

The same edging technique carries over into the quadrants circling this fountain. A liberal use of water in pools and fountains pervades the grounds.

Carniverous plants are happy in this water-filled urn.

The parking area is on the back side of housing units, each with a different colored door that corresponds to the colors of the plants featured on tables nearby. I liked the rustic archway and unusual plants at this portal. Each one is unique.

Top left is a plant that was huge in the display garden, Ligularia wilsonii. This is a plant I had avoided because I didn’t like the flowers. That’s what a display garden will do: I wound up thinking “flowers, shmowers…who cares?”; top right, Hosta ‘Fire & Ice’; bottom left, Ipomea x multifida (cardinal climber); bottom right, Plectranthus cellatus ‘Variegata’. The prices at Viscaya are another reason to make the drive to the far east side of town. Silly me: I only bought things I knew would fit into my plans.

On to Xera, a much anticipated opening by all the garden geeks in town. One of those, fellow blogger Laura, was giggling with glee as she selected her booty.

Another chain link fence, but this time it is obvious that an event of the horticultural kind awaits.

Tables are loaded with the fantastic array of plants Xera has long been noted for.

But that’s not all! Truly elegant pots, many of them potted up in appropriate and imaginative ways, add to the sophisticated ambiance.

The possibilities for combinations are mind-boggling.

The close-in southeast location makes this an easy place to visit again and again. I see a lot of that in my future.

For now, though, I indulged in only two plants…but they are beauts: Echeveria ‘Haagal’ and Arisaema taiwanense. This was Xera/Potting’s soft opening for working out the kinks. As far as I could tell, there were no kinks in sight.

sprig to twig

road trips