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.
I love the simple Lily of the Valley display — both in the garden and the vase. Oh and yay for the new job!!! How fun for you and lucky them.
Can hardly call it “work”.
What a great weekend visit, the Gorge is always special made even more so with friends. And THANK YOU, we are all thrilled at Joy Creek to welcome you! Everyone adores you already (no surprise) and we SOOO appreciate the expert help. Welcome welcome!! Here’s to many more seasons of gardening together!
If anyone ever doubted that Joy Creek is a family atmosphere, all they need do is read your comment here. First day, and I already feel like a long-lost cousin.
The lily of the valley is such a pure and simple flower and doesn’t need embellishment, does it? Being ignorant of Rowena Crest and Joy Creek nursery I can make no real comment on them but they clearly bring you pleasure which is of course a good thing 🙂
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest, luckily more or less in our back yard. Rowena sits at the top of one of the bluffs on the Oregon side. I should take greater care to contextualize posts referring to local landmarks and such. Joy Creek is one of our nursery treasures, and it is just one hill over from where we live.
What a wonderful wildflower walk….and I love the vase. Simple and so precious. Can’t wait to see my favorite lily-of-the-valley blooming.
I love seeing wildflowers from all over in people’s blogs.
The chicken wire is a clever construction. I tried using tape at the rim of my vase this week as I’ve seen in articles on flower arranging but I was unimpressed by the result so next time: wire..
Congratulations on your new weekend assignment! That’s my idea of heaven. I hope you’re receiving a discount on plant purchases!
I’ve been underwhelmed by the tape technique as well. I have quite a collection of frogs but they often don’t fit the vase.
My book group went to Mosier for our retreat a few years ago. I had no idea. What a fantastic place. Good friends are so important. I honor your decision, Ms. Rickii.
Good friends ARE important…and that means YOU!
Congratulations on the new job! That must have been a wonderful trip–the views … the wildflowers … wow! Your vase is pretty, too. I love bunches of LOVs in a vase, and the scent is heavenly!
Thanks, Beth: right on all counts.
I just bought that native Larkspur at Hortlandia ! Useful seeing it in the wild…I might have to move it.
Sunday is my Joy Creek visiting day !
I was thinking we would be seeing each other at JC (another bonus of the job).
Oh I love your new job. How perfect. They’re lucky to have you. I’ll look for you and Tamara when I’m out that way.
It’s a regular party out here. Come soon!
Gorgeous scenery, and yes, what a dream job! I love Joy Creek.
I seem to be surrounded by beauty wherever I go (and that includes your blog).
The view from the window is gorgeous. You’ve take some lovely photos. Perfect nature, the perfect place to be. Thank you very much for sharing.
A weekend spent in nature always rejuvenates.
Congratulations on the new job, sounds great fun, hope you’re not too tempted to spend all you earn on plants! I would. Love the simplicity of your vase this week.
The plants are definitely the sirens on the rocks.
I’ll be in your neck of the woods with a few friends in August and we’re planning a stop at Joy Creek. I’d love to see you if we get a chance!
What a treat! Let’s make that a definite date when you know more. JC has coffee and great chocolate chip cookies on Sundays.
Simple and pretty, just right for the vase. Joy Creek customers are in for a treat on Sundays and you’ll have fun.
This one is staying on my desk and giving new meaning to the word “nosegay”.
The lily of the valley is such a pretty thing in your vase. My grandmother used to use chicken wire as you have. The job sounds fun.
We grandmothers gotta stick together.
Big windows make me swoon, especially when accompanied by a view like that. I need to plan a trip to the gorge soon. It’s been over a year.
I don’t know who I should congratulate more, you or Joy Creek. They’re lucky to have you!
Isn’t it weird how we seem to take the gorge for granted? We’re so lucky to have a national treasure in our own back yard.
Congrats on your job at ‘Joy Creek’! I’m jealous!
And right next door…I’m blessed.
Dream job, if ya ask me. But I’d never bring home a paycheck.
If there is a problem, that could be it.
Perfect vase and helpful device for Lily-of-the-Valley! There’s nothing quite like that sweet fragrance. I missed Hortlandia this year too but there’s always next year, right? Your wildflower walk with friends out in the sun would win my vote, too. Congrats on your new job!
Thanks, peter. Are you coming to the swap?
I understand that you like the nature, same as me. And one of my favorite flowers is Lily-of-the-valley. I like it because it looks very loving and sweet. You really had a great time on your journey.