Beyond Garden Design...blog of Lilyvilla Gardens

New Courtyard at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital

2012-02-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Hospital opens this weekend with a community opening. Visible from the upper-story windows of my house, the new hospital is a part of my daily visual landscape. Roughly half of the eastern facade is clad in glass which reflects the pinky-orange skies and lessens the visual weight of the multi-story building. Through the glass are long, bentwood, earring-like chandeliers.

For more photos and an article in the Oregonian, click here.

A few weeks ago I noticed a courtyard on the South side of the new hospital. Each canted element within the courtyard surprises and creates a sense of playfulness.

The new hospital is on the right.

A lawn alternative installed on canted concrete waves.

Don't you want to roll around on these??? And they divert rain water into a planted channel behind the curbed planters in this photo.

I can't help but think of Alice in Wonderland when I see these hat-like planters large enough to sit around.

Notice the reflection of the waves in the glass - very cool!

Projects Underway!

2012-01-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

An unseasonably dry early January brought an unseasonably early garden installation season. Clients and contractors were making the best of the dry weather digging footings for walls and pouring new concrete pathways. Of course, last week's rains required that soils were covered in plastic and contractors moved on to other work. I thought I'd share some 'before' pictures and 'process' pictures with you in an effort to share some of the daily tasks of my design work.

I've been consulting with this client for many years. This year they decided to change some of the existing concrete paving and I consulted with them and the concrete contractor before and during the installation.
In this photo, you'll notice that I've sprayed the pattern for the expansion joints in the new concrete.

This is a remodeled version of the old pathway. The new pathway is further from the house and curvier than the old.

More expansion joints and the curve that leads into the existing pathway.

The concrete has been poured and was in the process of being finished when I took this photo. The expansion joints that run perpendicular to those that are visible are full of concrete cream and therefore can't be seen in this photo.

The new path.

On a different project the clients and I wanted a second route to the front door that brings visitors through a garden rather than up the driveway to the front door. The project includes a brick retaining wall, steps to a curved pathway which intersects a half-circle of lawn and terminates at a pre-existing concrete and brick pathway to the front door.

The brick pathway terminates here.

New Seasons Market to Open in Eliot Neighborhood

2012-01-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

I'm very...did you hear me? VERY! excited to have a New Seasons Market within 2 blocks of my house. New Seasons is expected to open sometime in 2013 in the lot that now occupies the highest concentration of the invasive shrub, Buddleia davidii in Portland (don't check that, I'm guessing!). How I've wished for a grocery that I could skip to with my trug, re-living my limited experience in the English Cotswolds. Upon a quick Google search, I found a link on BikePortland.org to the architectural drawings submitted for building permits. The new, one-story store will occupy an entire block sandwiched between Fremont, Vancouver, Williams and Ivy. I'm surprised to learn the new building is only one story and feel certain there must be a height restriction. Why else would such prime real-estate in inner Portland be limited to the horizontal plane? I have so many questions! How will traffic in an already congested area deal with such a large store plunked down in the middle of it? I hope for decreased speed limits and crosswalks. As it is, crossing these streets during rush hour is very difficult.
...Did you hear me? I'm so excited that New Seasons Market is coming to my neighborhood!

The following photos illustrate the existing site.

I'm standing across the street from the city block that N.S. will occupy.
Williams is the street to the left in the photo which heads north and intersects with Fremont street.

Turning to my left, I see the lot that New Seasons will occupy.

Turning further to my left, I see the mass of Buddleia.

...and more Buddleia...

Obscure the View

2012-01-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

Obscuring the view creates intrigue. When a viewpoint is partially hidden, the viewpoint becomes more interesting. The space between our eyes and the viewpoint is lengthened by the object that partially obscures the view.

Walking on the Eastbank Esplanade, I noticed this great example of obscuring the view. In this case, the view of downtown Portland is obscured by the downward lines and contorted trunks of willow trees.

Here the viewpoint of the green tree is partially obscured by the grasses in front of it and the concrete curb that pulls our eye to the right and out of site. The view is layered and complex. If this area were not so loud, I'd stand and stare at this view for hours!....well maybe not hours!

A Garden....what is it to you?

2012-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

My garden is a place that feeds me. I find natural beauty and comfort there, it is my laboratory for experimentation with art, plants, space, scale, texture, form, dimension, color and light, it is habitat for birds and other wildlife, a place for gatherings of family and friends and the place where I begin and end my days. In the winter months just looking at the garden through the windows of my house gives me great pleasure. Currently, I am at peace with my garden which is not always the case!

My garden, and all gardens, are always in a state of process. In process there is disruption and unsettledness. In the state of disruption and unsettledness there can be discomfort and frustration. You know that feeling when you create something that isn't quite right but you can't figure out what isn't right about it and why it isn't right? I love this challenge!

In 2009 we installed a water feature. It is a craggy rock sitting on a steel pedestal with steel screens behind it. I enjoyed the the look of the craggy rock and the steel screens behind it, I loved the many birds that bathe and drink from it and the sound? ....well, I wanted to like the sound but didn't.

I knew the scale wasn't right and decided that I needed to re-design the water tank/pool. The new water feature was installed last month and I think/hope it is on the right track. The sound is right, the scale of the stone-to-pool-to-screen is right, the birds still love it and when I get it planted I hope that I'll like it too!

Sometimes it takes time to name the problem and then find the solution to the problem.

An old friend once told me of the importance of allowing ourselves to create the imperfect and live with it. Living with the imperfect, instructs me to be more in the moment, to deeply investigate, to really see what I am looking at and challenges me to persevere to the calm, peaceful state.

What is your garden to you? If you don't have a garden, how do you describe one?

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

Floating Leaf

2011-12-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

Be forewarned that I'm going to expose you to my first video taken with my first iPhone (and/or smart phone) and my first attempt at using YouTube.

So... one morning last week, I walk out to my truck and notice a floating leaf in the air approximately 5 feet from the ground. Giggling, I investigate. Just what is holding this leaf in the air, I ask?

....I know, I know, we are KNOW what is holding this leaf but let us investigate further nonetheless.

I begin by sweeping my hand through the air to locate from where the leaf is hanging. The leaf moves with each sweep of my hand. At this point, I am gleefully laughing out loud (and look completely crazy standing in the middle of the street waving my arm through the air laughing only to myself).

In child-like amusement, a thought occurs to me, I have a iPhone... which is also a camera! I take a few photos and THEN realize I also have video capabilities. So I take my first video holding my iPhone with my left hand continuing to move the leaf through the air with my right.

Spider webs are amazing!

Happy Hanukkah

2011-12-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Festival of Lights!
Happy Winter Solstice!
Happy Birthday, Mom!

The benefits of being a lazy gardener...

2011-12-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I FINALLY pulled the pepper plants from the ground and tossed them into the compost bin. Along with the peppers we grew lovely tomatillos which actually produced fruit! Then...I let them wither away once the frosty nights hit. Its pretty sad and embarrassing to have let such beauties melt away without putting them to proper use. And yet on a more positive note, and to my surprise, some of the fruits had completely melted, leaving behind their gorgeous veined lanterns.

Aren't these gorgeous!

I'll let the rest of the fruits melt away in the
....sun???? (cross your fingers!)

Layering Focal Points

2011-12-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

I like to create layered plantings that hide and reveal shortened and lengthened viewpoints in the garden. These photos are of a planting bed which is a focal point from the kitchen and dining rooms of my house. The ground plane is planted with a variety of evergreen grasses. The central deciduous plant is a witch hazel. Behind the witch hazel is a curving Corokia hedge and behind that hedge are 4 clumps of Canna 'Intrigue' which grew to create a curved 'wall' behind the witch hazel and Corokia hedge. The cannas shortened my view and stopped my eye from traveling beyond them and moved my view up the purple arrow-like foliage. If you study the photo below, you'll notice the Cannas as they began to fall from wind and colder temps.

Cannas 'up'...well, partially 'up'...falling, actually!

With the removal of the Cannas my viewpoint is opened up to reveal the black pot behind the witch hazel.

Cannas gone for the winter

As the winter season progresses, the witch hazel will bloom a glowing, warm, yellow-orange adding color 'pop' to this winter scene.

Side view of Corokia hedge and Cannas cut back.

Winter Containers...so festive!

2011-12-08T11:32:00.001-08:00

I just planted these elegant concrete bowls with 'winter goodness' for a client.

Sequoidendron giganteum 'Barabit's Requiem', Carex 'Ice Dance', Polystichum setiferum and Gaultheria procumbens fill the pots.

We'll have to find a home for the Sequoidendron when it becomes too large or remove it in the spring when I change out the pots!

In the same garden the Sarcococca is in full berry!

Its a unexpected sunny, cold, day in Portland, OR and I love it!

A frosty winter morning in the garden

2011-12-05T13:06:00.001-08:00

This morning I awakened to crystal white crust on neighboring roofs and the garden. It was gorgeous!

Leptinella 'Platt's Black'

Corokia cotoneaster curving hedge with Hakonechloa 'Aureole' in its buff-colored winter glory

The Edgeworthia chrysantha still holding onto its leaves, Hakonechloa 'All Gold', Calamagrostis brachytricha and Ophiopogon cultivars.

The Musa basjoo leaves looking more like green, floating combs than banana leaves.

I've removed the annuals from the pots (mostly), the abutilon is still blooming along side the Echium.

Abutilon, Loropetalum, Echium, Ophiopogon and Eriobotrya.

The mostly evergreen sweeps of plantings are beginning to take effect.

I've made one 'clean up pass' through the garden and will finish when the trees have finished their final winter slough.

Hakonechloa 'All Gold'

Its about time to 'top' the bananas.

Yesterday morning while drinking my coffee on the covered back porch, I witnessed a humingbird feeding on the Mahonia, then the Abutilon, then zoomed to the water feature for a drink- now THAT is the way to start the day!

Mahonia blooms

Light

2011-11-28T11:37:00.001-08:00

Living in the Pacific NW, one becomes highly aware of the subtle changes in light. A ray of light becomes an exciting highlight of form, shape, texture... and perhaps one's day!

Liquidambar styraciflua

2011-11-25T16:47:00.001-08:00

Today was a gorgeous day in Portland, OR. After 4-plus inches of rain this week, today was welcome break, sunny and calm...a perfect day for a leasurely walk around the hospital.

Liquidambar styraciflua line the sidewalk paving around Legacy Emmanual. In my opinion, the Liquidambar's best attribute is its unusual Fall color. For some reason, the foliage color change appears spotty or polka-dotted. Rather than one tree containing foliage with graduated color on each leaf, the Liquidambar foliage is a different color per leaf.

See what I mean? On this tree we see yellow leaves and green leaves.

Earlier in the season, many of the trees were pinkish-orange or Pink Lemonade, as I like to call it. Some of which is still evident on the sidewalk.

Beautiful mossy, craggy dark bark is a wonderful contrast to the pale foliage.

Many of the leaves fall on their 'faces' leaving their 'tails' or stems up in the air.

And HERE is the reason I'd never want a Liquidambar and I think a poor choice for a public pathway (or residence). These seed pods can twist an ankle lickity-split!

There is a red polka dot! Perhaps more evident as a polka dot with some distance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T11:49:00.001-08:00

I am so thankful to have work that I love and to work with fantastic people in a meaningful way.

Thank you for your support!

Enjoy your holiday,
Lauren

A foot...

2011-11-10T09:08:00.001-08:00

Sedum, Fungus and Weeds are a foot!

Sedum spathulifolium 'Purpurea' - from the original garden planting in 2005 - appears

Aleuria aurantia - Orange Peel Fungus

The potentially deadly Paxillus involutus - identity based on quick internet search.

Another Aleuria aurantia growing in the gravel pathway.

Weeds not pictured.

Foliage and Fruit

2011-11-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

Bringing the green indoors...

Autumn Beauty

2011-11-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I look, there is beauty... beauty in the changing leaves, the dew drops on the leaves and the fluffy moss growing on the trees. Change is apparent every day, reminding me to enjoy the moment to truly see all that surrounds me.

purple sweet potato vine

dew on Cyperus 'Giganteus'

dew on Arundo donax 'Peppermint Stick'

new foliage on Adiantum hispidulum

water in Musa basjoo

Mosses on apple tree

Edgeworthia chrysantha in bud

bloom of Hakonechloa 'All Gold'

Photos from a rainy Open Garden

2011-09-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

My logical mind 'told' me not to consider the weather when scheduling my open garden but 'did I listen? No!" Even though it was 55 degrees and rainy outside, some dear Portlanders came to visit - we're a tough lot! Thank you for visiting!!

...check out today's blog post on Val Easton's Plant Talk

Editing the Garden

2011-09-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

As the weather cools, I look forward to transplanting and planting in the garden. I'm relieved that, this year, does not bring huge changes, just fine-tuning edits. I've begun with the removal of Bergenia 'Pink Butterfly' and Begonia 'Million Kisses' and replaced with Pieris 'Cavatine' and purple Tradescantia. The Tradescantia is an annual that I'll remove before frost.

Before

After

I've also planted 4 Trachelospermum jasminoides along the fence line, cut back the lily stems and pruned the Azara which created more space in the planting bed, brings attention to the trunks of the Trachycarpus fortunei and allows more light to reach the jasmine along the fence line.

Random Garden Shots

2011-08-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

Kniphofia caulescens

Lilyvilla entry garden - Musa basjoo, Metapanax delavayi, Calamagrostis var. brachytricha, Brugmansia 'Betty Marshall', Setcreasea purpurea.

Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum

Drypoteris sieboldii

Lilyvilla designed container

Canna 'Intrigue' and Alocasia 'California' finally growing!

Cyperus with bubbling rock in background

Abutilon

Tricyrtis, Oxalis, Abutilon, Clematis and Begonia

2011-08-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying the ...

Tricyrtis 'Blu-Shing Toad'

Oxalis triangularis

Abutilon

Clematis

Abutilon

Begonia grandis

A Garden Renovation in Process

2011-08-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

In 2010 I began working with a client to renovate her existing garden. Some of our goals were to create separate but connected areas of the garden, gain more visual movement throughout the garden, bring higher maintenance plantings closer to the house, create lower-maintenance textural shrub borders and to visually soften an unusual property edge while creating privacy. My first task included removing much of the lawn to allow for deeper planting beds. I created the new lawn edges on site with flags and spray paint. The lawn was cut and soil hauled in the new planting beds.

Organic sweeps of lawn now widen and narrow to help create separation.

The planting on the left was planted in May 2010. The planting on the right is in the process of being planted.

The grass once grew up to the edge of the concrete patio.

The view from the other corner.

Now full of color and texture the planting bed 'holds' the edge patio to create a more comfortable 'garden feel' on the patio.

Summer in Portland!

2011-08-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! All of Portland is sighing in relief. Lilium davidii, L. 'Black Beauty', Agapanthus 'Blue Leap', Brugmansia 'Betty Marshall' all bring the much desired summer color into the garden. AND.... the giant Alocasia is growing!!! Its growing!! Seriously, one day before it showed signs of life, I considered buying a replacement because it looked so sad, like brown, crispy paper in the middle of an oversized pot.

Brugmansia 'Betty Marshall'

Eucomis ??? I bought it as E. pole-evansii but it is clearly not. Its leaves were purple when they emerged, turning green with a wavy margin.

Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgandy'

The Canna 'Intrigue' begins to make a statement!!

Here it is! Alocasia 'California' emerging....I wonder how big it will become this year?

I'd better remove the maple seedlings from the pot soon!

Lilium 'Black Beauty'

The color is much clearer than this photo reveals with a gorgeous bright, lime green star in the center.

Two unknown Clematis cultivars...

Rhodochiton atrosanguineum

With the summer warmth, one of the Musa basjoo clumps had formed a thicket! After some pruning (lazy style...just cut the trunks) beautiful dappled light falls through the trunks.

Happy Summer!!!

What's blooming...

2011-07-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

If you look very closely, you can see a white bloom to the left of the black pot...

This is it! It is Hymenocallis littoralis

And look at the 'spent' bloom, like rice paper, strong and translucent...lovely!

Earlier this spring, we had our plum tree removed. Behind the tree I've had this Hydrangea seemanii for about 5 years growing (barely!) on a trellis. For the first time, it is BLOOMING!! Clearly its enjoying some more sunshine!

This is a great vine! It has clean, shiny evergreen foliage and beautiful white flowers. I'm growing it in late afternoon sun which I never would have thought it'd like!

FRCC Garden Tour- Group One

2011-06-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I attended the

Friends of Rogerson Clematis Society garden tour. Here are a few photos from Digs owner, JJ DeSousa's garden to start us off!

Cool, modern elements against the old-world texture of JJ DeSousa's brick home are a winning combination. Orange, her accent color, is used throughout the garden.

Not having seen JJ's garden in 10 years, it has changed dramatically! I was very excited to see this sweet shed with orange window sashes and empty Woolly Pockets just waiting to be planted...something orange, perhaps?

Brilliant! I love this retro wood stove installed outside!

Great combinations of succulents, etc. in rustic pots throughout the garden bring the textural qualities of the architecture into the garden.

fastigiate hornbeams act to separate two seating areas in the garden - there's that cute shed again!

This was our favorite spot to be in JJ's garden.

I think Mickey's asleep in the warm sunshine!

A lovely, seemingly cool, place to dine in the warm afternoon sunshine.

Heuchera Rust - Puccinia heucherae

2011-05-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

An unfortunate discovery in the garden and a case for walking the garden every day observing both positive and negative changes...

stems are droopy

While doing the morning rounds, I noticed all 5 of the beautiful, large Heuchera 'Obsidian' I'd purchased recently had something very wrong with them! The underside of the leaves and some stems had light brownish bumps and were clearly dying. Immediately I called the wholesale nursery from whom I had purchased the Heuchera. I learned the ailment is Rust and that this particular rust only effects other Heuchera and Saxifraga. I could have removed all of the foliage and waited for the new growth to appear but after some preliminary research I also learned that once the rust is touched the bumps release spores spreading the rust. I chose to 'glove up', carefully dig up and throw away (in the garbage) all 5 Heuchera. I can only hope that the rust has not spread to the other Heuchera in the garden or the Saxifraga on the other side of the garden!

eruptions on underside of leaves

curvy stems with whitish brown dying portions

Ewwww

Tree Removal

2011-05-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

The decision to have a tree removed from your garden is a big one and requires the knowledge that a better choice exists. I've recently had an old plum tree, that I scorned under my breath every summer as aphid honeydew rained on me and my plants, removed from my garden. The result is bittersweet. I feel sad to have lost a large, old tree that had been on this earth longer than me. I enjoyed its craggy, twisted bark and unusual double trunk. I enjoyed hanging Spanish Moss from its branches and watching the birds eat insects and perch on its branches. I also know that the minute aphids should be hatching, they wont! Ha, ha! I know that the plants that struggled beneath its branches will struggle no more! I know that my new Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' will grow gracefully large and reveal its mottled cinnamon-colored bark and white blooms in summer and beautiful fall color.

Garden Happenings

2011-05-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

Some signs of growth!!! in the garden...

Hydrangea quercifolia

Phyteuma scheuchzeri

Allium

Iris x Pacifica 'Violetta'

Iris tenax 'Oregon Watercolor'

Iris 'Violetta' opening in front of Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'

Iris japonica

Trachycarpus fortunei

in bud

Saxifraga 'Dentata'

Pacific Coast Iris

2011-04-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

The minute I think I'm not interesting in something, I am. This has been true in sculpture; disliking a material, in the garden; disliking the color orange and now; Iris. Until now, the most memorable Iris experience I'd had was sniffing the intoxicating, grape-like scent of the Siberian Iris while walking to school as a child in Norman, Oklahoma. Then last Fall I visualized Iris in my garden, but not the big, bold Siberians, rather small, demure, delicate Iris. This spring I purchased three cultivars that Xera Plants offers to lucky Pacific Northwest gardeners. I begin my collection with Iris tenax 'Oregon Watercolor', Iris tenax 'Meadow Lavender' and Iris pacifica 'Violetta'. I'm growing these lovelies on the edge of green sweeps of Ophiopogon japonicus through one of my garden beds. I'm excited to introduce more part shade/sun/no additional summer water plants to my garden. Planted in March, the first to bloom is Iris 'Oregon Watercolor' as pictured above.

Visit Xera Plants website for more information about PCI (Pacific Coast Iris) and a list of cultivars they have found to be great garden plants in our area.

On a recent trip to Little Baja

2011-04-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

During the spring season I like to go on little field trips to local suppliers to research who has what for my design projects. On recent trip to Little Baja I saw some great treasures even though their stock was a bit low. They carry cast concrete as well as terra-cotta.

love these against the painted trailer!

I mimically (is that a word?) frown every time I look at these rectangular heads
...and then giggle!

These are wonderful columns for pots or other garden ornaments.

I love these 'Tiki' totems and keep trying to talk myself into buying them for my garden.

Warm childhood memories wash over me when I see stacked pottery like this! It reminds me of the many childhood trips to Mexico with my grandparents.

Mimi (my grandmother) bought me miniature pottery sets similar to these.

'Footed' pots!

Architectural find!

2011-04-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

On one of my recent 'out and abouts' I stumbled across a cool little neighborhood with a FANTASTIC house in it!

Gorgeous textural play with the Cor-ten skin and vertical cedar (?)

The architect or designer is brilliant at balancing vertical and horizontal lines!

I want to stand inside and look out all of the windows! I love this house!

Rejuvenation Pruning

2011-04-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I got to work on one of my 3 Rhamnus alaternus 'Variegata'. The largest and oldest one had become top-heavy and had almost fallen over after our fence came down on the west side of the garden. I began by shearing as I do every year, to keep a column shape. But this year, shearing wasn't enough and as you probably know shearing encourages growth on the outside of the plant rather than the inside of the plant. As I began investigating the inside of the plant, I quickly knew what needed to happen- rejuvenation pruning! I cut most of the branches growing toward the center and all of the dead and crossing branches that had been rubbing one another. Now it is VERY funny looking...poor little guy!

I hope he can regain his sense of pride and stature in the garden very soon!

See, there is quite a lean to the shrub. The new wood fence will meet up to the steel fence behind the Rhamnus.

From this perspective, it is clear that the Rhamnus not only need position correcting but also wood removed from the back side (left in photo).

'rub' damage from crossing branches from the interior of the plant.

Nerd Night - finally!

2011-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'll set the stage for you...

Friday, March 18, 2011

Lake Bible Church, Lake Oswego - new venue

Doors open at 6pm

Event begins at 7pm

Having attended Nerd Night in years past (but not the last two) I knew quite well that lines begin to form at least an hour before the doors open. I arrived at 5pm - here's what I saw...

Line left

Line Right

I chose 'Line Right', obviously, right? Well, here's the catch...see that huge green mass of lawn? Well, that lawn is hiding pools of mud. Having experienced my fair share of muddy lawns, I walked around the lawn through the parking lot to 'Line Right'. Others, mind you, squished across the muddy lawn with some sort of wild abandon that I, actually, love and attribute to 'crazed' gardeners who must get a good place in line to wait for an hour to get a good seat in the audience to wait for an hour and buy their first of many spring plants lusts! Priorities!!

Line Left - 5:30pm

Line Right - 5:30pm

The doors open at 6pm and we, 'mooooo', made our way through to capture a seat and a look at this season's best new plants from Log House, Cistus, Far Reaches, Dancing Oaks, Seabrite and Terra Nova nurseries.

The scene from the stage...doesn't fully capture the 'crazzzzzed' feeling in the air!

I really can't shop in these environments but I love to move to a safe spot on the fringes of the room to watch and absorb the energy of the crowd - these folks are HUNGRY!!!! A hunger and excitement fills the air as we see the newest and the greatest! The unfortunate part of my inability to shop in these environments means that I don't have any plant pics for you but I do have some plant info!

The 'Chorus of the Goddess Flora' prepares for their performance

For the past 6 years, I believe, the Chorus has provided hilarious entertainment for the 'hort heads' at Nerd Night. They sing to music you may know but you won't recognize these lyrics. They are written by Linda Beutler and they are WONDERFUL!!

Mike Darcy, the host of the evening welcomes the crowd to the 10th Annual Plant Nerd Night!

Each nursery gets 12 minutes to talk about their favorite plants for the year and/or old favs. If they speak beyond their 12 minutes, they get the 'gong' which is the Chorus singing 'Goodnight, Farewell, until we meet aagain'...from the Sound of Music.

Here are some favs from the experts:

Log House Plants - tender Petunias in cool, new, colors like black! Petunia 'Pin Stripe', 'Phantom', 'Black Velvet' and Alice Doyle's new grafted vegetables; tomatoes, eggplant and more!
Cistus - Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies', Manfreda 'Spot', Agave ovatifolia, Choisya 'Whetstone' and Trachelospermum 'Theta' - named by Sean Hogan for his mother.
Far Reaches- a pink Cardiocrinum, Ajuga 'Frosted Jade' - super-cool yellow/green variegation with deep blue flowers and not as much of a garden thug as most Ajuga, Kniphofia parviflora.
Dancing Oaks - Ribes 'Vampire', Ribes lobbi - flowering gooseberry, Fremontedendron 'Ken Taylor', Darmera peltata.
Terra Nova - Acanthus'Whitewater', Cyclamens, Tradescantia 'Lucky Charm'.
Seabrite Nursery - Hosta 'Gentle Giant - 4feetx7feet!!, H. 'Sagae', 'Earth Angel','Fire Island', and 'Praying Hands' - great in a container for its form.

A GREAT EVENT!!! Put it on your calendar for next year and GET THERE EARLY!!!!!

Sun Breaks!

2011-03-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

The weather report called for afternoon temps in the mid-50's with sun breaks. I chose this afternoon as the perfect time to make changes to the entry garden.

Time for the other Hebe buxifolia to go. I had two matching Hebe but one succumbed to Verticillium. I'll enjoy the openness the entry will have without the Hebe.

Last year I planted these cute little Cupressus 'Wilma Goldcrest'. The messy little green leaves that you see in this bed are Zauschneria 'Mattole Select' and Origanum libanoticum. I'm planning for more evergreen structure in these planting beds combined with the Oregano growing down the face of the concrete walls.

One bed cleaned out and tidy...

Cupressus 'Wilma Goldcrest' - smells good when you brush up against it!

Lifted plants that I'll pot up or re-plant.

Origanum libanoticum

Zauschneria 'Mattole Select'

That's a bit better! Pretend like you can't see the trash containers in the driveway...

Without the Hebe I can see all 3 of the Cupressus, even though they are still tiny.

Next, I'll remove the Styrax japonica that you see on the left. I'll replace it with an Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths' and a mix of grasses at its feet.

Fixing the glitches!

2011-03-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Ah - ha! I've been making some changes to my website this week and continued encountering formatting issues, ugh! Not being a 'computer person' the mysteries remained mysterious for longer than they should have. But I THINK I've fixed most of them. Give it a look, if you are so inclined, and please let me know if I missed anything. The main changes are the format of the 'Home' and 'Project' pages. I'll update content as the season progresses and I photograph more projects.

Now, Happy Spring! to you all,

Lauren

www.lilyvillagardens.com

New, Modern building at Emmanuel Hospital

2011-03-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Since the first concrete was poured, I've watched this building grow. First, impressed by the concrete work - its texture, clean lines and consistency, then the brown steel corrugated siding and finally glasswork.

All along, I wondered what this super clean, cool, modern building might become. As it turns out, It stores utilities. Well, I say 'utilities' but I really don't know what is inside other than huge ducts covered in insulation that remind me of a 1960's space-age movie which look like they come alive at night for a dance party. I assume from the enormous condensers on top of the building this is housing for some of the air conditioning at the hospital.

You can't tell from this photo but the steel edging which contains the gravel at grade is wobbly which is one of my pet peeves! Why wouldn't they use heavy steel to make a crisp line rather than pre-made edging that always seems to fail?

The glass slits (windows) reflect the line of Liquidambar across the sidewalk for a gorgeous effect.

See the trees? Isn't that beautiful!

Notice the corrugated steel siding is perforated.

Cool!

The snowy garden in February!

2011-02-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Usually, the last ten years or so, the last week in February brings warm spring-like temperatures. But today we awakened to snow! It isn't a heavy snow, just enough to reveal patterns in the garden.

A horizontal line of Ophiopogon 'Nana' and steel set into a linear gravel pathway with steel edging.

Bluestone pavers are revealed while gravel, beneath the snow, is hidden.

Minimal sunlight attempts to break through the 'snow sky'

The snow also highlights patterns in plants.

Trachycarpus fortunei with Anamanthele lessoniana at it's feet.

Corokia cotoneaster with snow covering a tiny contorted branch.

Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths' in bloom with snow.

Eriobotrya japonica in foreground with Cupressus sempervirens in background.

Azara microphylla with Euonymous 'Green Spire' hedge.

A snowy skirt at the base of the apple tree and the crisp lines created by steel edging the planting beds.

The last snow for the old, dying plum tree. It will soon leave the garden - more on that topic later.

Hellebores and Meyer Lemons

2011-02-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

Its cocktail time! Helleborus x hybridus cocktails, that is! Yesterday I came to the ugly realization that I'm allergic to Daphne odora and Edgeworthia chrysantha and can't have their lovely blooms in the house. Today while the glorious sun was shining, I cut some Helleborus blooms to enjoy inside. Searching for the perfect vase, I came across these champagne cocktail glasses - perfect! The stem raises the bloom from the table and the varying sizes make a nice arrangement.

And now for the Meyer lemons part of this post...my favorite seasonal cocktail!

Toss a few ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and add

1 ounce of your favorite vodka

juice from one Meyer lemon

1/2 squeeze light Agave syrup

Shake and pour into a cocktail glass

Lovely!

Steel and Plants that caught my eye...

2011-02-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

I attended the Yard, Garden and Patio Show on Friday and Saturday.

The HPSO display was wonderful as always! Within their mission to educate, they provide tables full of plant cuttings from HPSO member's gardens and nurseries. Each is labeled with pencil and paper provided - I love it! Artists with Cracked Pots were in attendance, such as Ivan McLean whose steel rocking horse

and enormous daisies caught my eye.

Several large steel urns that artist, Marta Farris creates were displayed with Garden World's 'Curiously Cool Plants' and with other examples of her work in her own booth.

Also in Garden World's 'Curiously Cool Plant' booth, several evergreen conifers caught my eye.

Pinus mugo 'Ophir'
3'x5-6' mounding shrub with green needles that change to gold.
Very cute...yes, I gave it a little 'pat' on top!

Pinus contorta var. 'Murrayana'
I'm unfamiliar with this conifer but upon a little web search,
Murray lodgepole pine becomes much too large for most gardens.

Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' 5-6' tall and as broad with time.
In winter the candles grow large and white which stands out against the dark, green foliage.

Yard, Garden and Patio Show!!!

2011-02-18T08:32:00.000-08:00

The local and regional gardening shows officially kick off the garden season! This is an exciting time of the year when we 'northwesterners' officially emerge from our winter hibernation. I look forward to the reunion of gardeners as much as the show itself!

Visit the Yard, Garden and Patio Show open today through Sunday at the Portland Convention Center and don't even think about missing the FANTASTIC seminars!

See you at the show!

Winter Fragrance in the Garden

2011-02-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

The late winter garden helps to 'break' us out of our winter slumber; awakening all of our senses in what feels like opening the door to the best symphonic performance of your life!

The birds are singing, squirrels are digging, buds are blooming, the air is warmer (at times) and fragrance fills the air.

Ah, the delight of it all!

Edgeworthia chrysantha

Azara microphylla
This one can trick you because the blooms are so small but the fragrance so big - like chocolate cake!

Not quite yet, but when Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' opens, it'll knock you over with its perfume!

Flora Grubb, Panayoti Kelaidis AND the HPSO Study Weekend!

2011-01-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

Well, THAT was fun! Yesterday's HPSO Winter Program featured two speakers who approached the idea of vertical gardening. From very different perspectives Flora Grubb, owner of Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco and Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator and director of outreach at Denver Botanic Gardnens, presented images and descriptions of super-cool painting-like 'gardens' and the coolest flora found in the highest elevations of the world. If you follow design magazines, you will have seen some of Flora Grubb's gardens such as these

with permission Flora Grubb Gardens

Flora Grubb and her talented cohorts investigate and create the best design-driven gardens. Primarily working with containers, she and her team are doing their best to outfit space-restricted, San Franciscans with artful, small-scale, gardens sure to peak the interest of any closeted horticulturalist wanna-be! Of late, Flora has taken interest in urban projects in an effort to bring a little green to the city. She and her team are creating temporary gardens in the place of a parking place here and there, replacing concrete medians with tables, chairs and gardens - in essence, humanizing the city bit by bit with little (well designed!) gardens.

With a wickedly-quick wit and seemingly infinite passion, Panayoti took us on a trip to central Asia, the steppes of the Andes, temperate South Aftrica, Morocco and the western U.S. During our trip, I've developed a new plant interest...cushion plants! While I've been interested in these little tactile wonders, not until I saw images of the rock-like formations looking like an extreme version of installation art, did something 'click' in my brain. Check out Crassula setulosa and Euphorbia clavarioides to get a sense of their habits and forms. Also check out Harry Jans, who Panyoti referred to as 'the ultimate vertical gardener. You can bet that I'll integrate a version of his Tufa Wall into a design!

And finally... Tomorrow, February 1st registration opens for the 2011 HPSO Study Weekend!

...from the HPSO website...

Join over 500 gardening enthusiasts from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond as we gather in Portland in June for this year's conference. The theme of the Weekend is"Gardening in 3D: Dichotomy, Diversity, and Desire". Eight fantastic speakers are lined up as well as twenty open gardens, a Saturday evening soiree, two workshops, specialty plant and art sales, and more! Dates: June 23-26, 2011. To learn more about this event and registration details, go to the Study Weekend home page. Don't miss out! Come celebrate gardening in "3D", and learn how to manage dichotomy, diversity, and desire in the garden. The Study Weekend is held in Portland only once every four years. Pre-registration is required to attend.

My First Hamamelis

2011-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

My very first Hamamelis is beginning to bloom! I've inherited a fine Hamamelis 'Aphrodite'. It is not expected to bloom heavily this year (because it was stressed last year) but it IS blooming! Gorgeous orange ribbons begin to unfurl, revealing dark red/maroon calyxes - those are calyxes, right? Along with my Hamamelis, I've got some lovely Galanthus of an unknown species who came along for the ride.

The Hamamelis bloom is the tiny little thing towards the bottom of the shrub not the orange things (flags) in the background!

See the clump of bulbs at the bottom of the photo - those are the Galanthus!

I love this time of the year. The days are longer requiring me to take note and appreciate the extra light and the garden is full of change. But to witness these changes I must pay attention! I have to microscopically, inspect plants to see the changes - buds fattening and beginning to bloom and new leaves sprouting, shiny and fresh. Its as if, the plants quietly yell 'stop, linger and enjoy me!' It is a subtle and mysterious time of the year when-even though I've seen buds turn to blooms - they always seem to surprise me. Every year is new in my garden and every year I am new to my garden.

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

Arapahoe Acres...sadly, these are the last photos!

2011-01-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Here we go...

Notice the wood 'sill' beneath the lower window that brings the wood lines from the roof in to perfect balance.
How I wish the landscape design complimented the architecture better!

This (and the following) are my two favorites of the smaller homes. I love the roofline that incorporates the chimney, or perhaps, it is the other way around!

If you look closely, you'll notice rusty, vertical steel sculpture against the plantings.

Ahhh...another picture of perfection! Its hard to tell in this photo, but the door is light pink!

Isn't this bold! I love the deep turquoise with the color of the red brick.

My friend noticed that the Jeep served to compliment the paint colors on the house.

In this garden, long strands of white lights are hanging straight down from the trees! At night, it must look like white, illuminated snow or rain.

The PERFECT garage door!
Lovely!!!

Thinking of spring....Annuals!!

2011-01-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

In today's Oregonian Homes & Gardens section, Kym Pokorny introduces some great new annuals and 'tried and true' favorites of several local folks, including yours truly. Click here to read an on-line version. I picked up a paper version this morning and I have to say all of the springy colors are a welcome pleasure to see...spring WILL arrive!!

One of my favorite annuals Mandevilla laxa

growing up post on left of pergola

MCM continued...

2011-01-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

More photos from the Arapahoe Acres neighborhood in Denver, Co.

Notice the roofline of the garage (left) that matches the roofline on the house - also the orange (which seemed to be a signature color in the neighborhood) 'holey' gate.

Along with accents of orange, many of the homes sported steel sculptures.

Another 'holey' gate that unfortunately had a piece of paper attached to it.

Few homes had much hardscape in the front gardens but this one had a nice 'zig-zag' pathway leading to the front door.

Eating my words, I spotted this highly geometric neighboring garden! Maybe a planting of Ajuga?
Hmmm...

I'm especially fond of the low sandstone wall which 'pulls' the architecture of the house into the garden.

Several gardens had island beds with gorgeous red sandstone, conifers and succulents.

...still more to come...

Arapahoe Acres - Mid-Century Modern Homes in Denver

2011-01-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited, so excited!!!

I finally visited Arapahoe Acres, a MCM (Mid-Century Modern) subdivision in Denver, CO metro area.

These homes exceeded my expectations!

Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!!

Here are a couple...

Strong horizontal lines are a grounded backdrop to an arid, naturalistic garden.

The garden is lush, open, and beautifully maintained.
Round pavers set in gravel gently lead you by well-built red sandstone planters full of drought tolerant grasses and conifers.

A similar home, clearly Japanese inspired home and garden, is both detailed and simple. The deck railing is low and horizontal in keeping with the roof line.

The wooden garage doors repeat the horizontal roof line and the vertical line of the stone pillars on either side.

The garden is full of mounding stones and conifers. This pathway leads to a gorgeous garden gate painted the same color as the house.

The garden gate.
I took these photos on a gorgeous, cold, sunny day - please excuse the overexposed photos!

The mysterious main entry is masked by the enormous, old juniper.
...If only natural stone would have been used in the hardscape!

Merry, merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

and Happy Holidays to you!!!

Best wishes,

Lauren

'Out and About' - Emanuel Landscape Architecture 1 yr. later

2010-12-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

One of my first posts, when I began this blog in December 2009, featured some fantastic new structures and landscape architecture at Emanuel Hospital.

New parking structure right of pathway - Dec. 2009

A new planting and an older parking structure - Dec. 2009

Currently, a new VERY TALL building is being erected at the end of this pathway with the west hills in the background.

Quite a different look, isn't it?

Some of the evergreen plantings look stressed but the grasses in their buff-cream winter color and bloom against the low, stone walls are lovely!

And... the rugged, yet smooth, mossy round stones and glass with grasses between are simple and gorgeous!

Neighborhood 'Out and About'

2010-12-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

On a recent neighborhood 'out and about', I stumbled across this doorway that stopped me in my tracks. The door surround appears to be made of wood and painted to look like rusty steel.

When I look up, I notice a cut out to allow light from the above fixture to shine down onto the door.

The cutouts are incorporated into the doors design. Hmmmm...who works here? I'm looking around the building to find some sort of signage and then I notice a tiny Post-it to the left of the door 'Murase Associates'. Of course! Murase Associates is a well-known Portland-based Landscape Architecture firm.

I like this flashing on the window sill at the sidewalk grade - very clean and functional!

The industrial Portland view from the Murase Assoc. windows.

...caught my eye...

Intersections...color, texture, city, nature...GORGEOUS!

still having technical difficulties...

2010-12-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

to see photos meant to appear in last post please see link to entire Lilyvilla Gardens Fall newsletter and scroll down to page two.

www.lilyvillagardens.com/fall2010.pdf

Sorry for the little mishap!

L.

Project Spotlight - sharing a garden design project in process

2010-11-30T13:10:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder what a garden designer does? Where does a garden design start? The answers are vast and quite different depending on the project at hand. Last spring I began working with a new client whom I've known through horticulture circles. This is how we began... she presented me with a list of priorities for her new garden - number one - a design for a new deck, as hers is failing, information about her and what is most important to her - plants, being outdoors and creating several more usable and beautiful spaces around her home. She described her aesthetics verbally as well as visually and that she intended to have her garden installed in phases over several years. We conquered the deck design and a garden plan for the entire space. Further design details and on-site design work will be tackled at appropriate intervals during the project. The following, as excerpted from a recent Lilyvilla Gardens newsletter, illustrate our steps, thus far, toward her new garden.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT - IN PROCESS

Project Goals: create a design for a new deck that would minimize the visual impact of the deck while also increasing the overall size by 50%. Create a naturalistic garden for an avid gardener/plant lover that can be built in phases. I reconfigured the deck’s footprint which added more usable space and designed planters to surround the deck which act to ‘seat’ the tall deck into the garden. The planters will be home to small deciduous trees which will provide a tree canopy to look down upon. Stairs from the deck turn and move gradually through the space. The planters bring the architecture of the house into the garden and make the deck an integral component of the house, thus, reducing the visual impact of the deck. The garden design includes an upper gravel terrace, a sinuous pathway through a tree grove that terminates with a lower seating area.

existing deck

conceptual rendering of new deck and planters

projection sketch illustrating the view from about deck and planters

garden concept drawing

Lan Su Chinese Garden - architectural details

2010-11-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to the Chinese garden, I limited my focus to the architectural details that I felt most compelling (in the moment!)...here's what I saw.

Lake Tai rocks 'planted' in front of a Trochodendron arailiodes.

A carved railing with symmetrical profiles beneath the cap and above the post - a similar pattern is repeated in the panel between the posts. The contrast between the smooth medium gray railing, the darker gray floor tiles and pale gray (granite?) threshold.

This complex intersection of roofing styles is an attention grabber, rather than a forgotten corner.

The perfect balance of symmetry and asymmetry.

The special view through cuts in the white walls allow me to imagine I'm allowed inside of this little world!

Throughout the garden, pebble mosaic meets with stone edging.

I'm surprised that this irregular stone step passed our codes and regulations in a public garden. Visually, I love the mix of textures and the attention with which I must move down this step.

The up-turn of the roof line in contrast to the downward habit of the weeping willow - simply perfect!

A Gardener's Generosity...

2010-11-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

When I entered the Horticultural community in Portland, I was shy, quiet and didn't know a soul. Now, 10 years later, I have worked along side of many of Portland's truest plant geeks....this is a compliment, if you were wondering! I have learned that the hort. community is voraciously generous with their time, knowledge, love, and spirit. Who would have thought that our love of plants would bring so many, seemingly different, people together in work and play? Plants are the platform on which we stand which is above (and beyond) political, socio-economic and experiential differences that could otherwise keep us separate from one another. Instead, our love of plants opens the gates to each other's gardens and homes and lives. Our love of plants takes us out of town on garden tours, out of state on horticultural internships, out of the country to work in English gardens and has created a community in which I now feel a part. I am exposed to brilliant, sensitive, talented people who I absolutely love and feel kinship towards. Being a part of the hort. community 'rounds out' my life, it gives me a place to express myself and to explore the world (both literally and through plant stories) and the people in it. With gratitude, I thank you hort. friends!

...oh yeah, my point in this blog post is to show you 2 of the 4 gifts from my friend, Paul...

The happy, little v-shaped tree form is

Hamamelis 'Aphrodite' which has very fragrant flowers and large foliage.

and Schefflera delavayi which I have coveted since learning that S. delavayi is hardy for us. I'm crossing my fingers that it also transplants well and doesn't die in the winter

(whatever 'sort' of winter we experience)!

THANK YOU, PAUL!

Out with the Tetrapanax...TWO!

2010-10-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

While clearing out the rest of the 'TETRAPANAX BED', I found THIS! Yep! more pretty, darn, serious Tetrapanax root to dig out! Mind you, this root belonged to a secondary and tertiary plant, not the primary plant!

Are you scared yet?

Out with the Tetrapanax!

2010-10-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Yep! the time has come to remove the Tetrapanax 'Steroidal Giant' from my garden...it is a mixed feelings sort of thing. I believe I had my T. (Tetrapanax) for 4 years and until this spring, it had a huge trunk from which the enormous fuzzy-coated leaves sprouted. This spring leaves didn't sprout from the trunk, rather 'sprouts' (trees) appeared 10-15 feet from the trunk even appearing under the deck in the darkest of shade! T. rapid growth, fuzzy, enormous leaves are is its appeal and its trouble. Over the years, I've become increasingly sensitive to the fuzzy indumentum that is released by gently brushing the plant. So I geared up for Tetrapanax removal!

Schnazy, huh!

The right side down, the left to go!

And now for the trunk!

It was a BEAUTY!!

Wow! these beds and the deck are so spacious now!!!

Another garden 'opportunity'!

The aftermath...

2010-09-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent many hours up-close and personal with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. I estimate that approximately 70% of the bugs were adolescents (without wings) and the other 30% were babies (about the size of a tick) and adults (with wings). I captured them in a plastic container with about 2 inches of soapy water in the bottom. Carefully, I flicked, scooped and caught many stink bugs. Feeling entirely itchy and as if I had bugs crawling all over me, I gained skill and courage as time went by. After several hours of killing, I was talking to them and flicking them into my cup with my bare hands. While only a few of the adults flew at me, it became quite apparent how horrible a mass of these insects would be hitting you in the face with their hard bodies...quite Hitchcockian!

In the end, I decided to remove my Clerodendron 'Carnival'. It became clear that I couldn't reach all of the stink bugs on top of the tree and the BMSB had caused quite a bit of foliage damage and the tree was only 3 yrs. old and I'm making many other changes in the garden this year so what's one more 'plant opportunity'? Its still sad...I loved looking at the perfectly variegated foliage from my kitchen and dining room windows and will miss it!

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - Invasive Species in my Garden!

2010-09-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well...its a pretty bad feeling to find out that an invasive insect is populating your garden! Today it is confirmed that I have the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug living on my Clerodendron trichotomum 'Carnival'. I called the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Oregon Invasive Species Hotline, spoke to an entomologist and here's what I learned:

BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) is an exotic species from Asia that has been reported in the Portland Metro area on the east side of town more than the west. BMSB has recently been found in Salem as well.

There is no biological control of the insect. A broad-spectrum pesticide or mechanical removal are the only means of controlling BMSB.

While BMSB's main hosts are agricultural crops, it also favors more than 100 species of ornamental plants. Some are Clerodendron, Buddleia, Paulownia, Catalpa, Verbascum, Ash (especially the seeds).

I am choosing to remove BMSB from my Clerodendron by hand. I'll then kill them by freezing, stomping or flushing them - as recommended.

Please be on the look out for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in your garden and notify the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline if you believe that you've seen this bug.

1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337) or e-mail ODAʼs taxonomic entomologist, James LaBonte, at jlabonte@oda.state.or.us

Leaf Damage

Wilted foliage

New Plants!!!

2010-09-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited Carolyn Kolb at Wind Dancer Nursery in Salem, OR. Carolyn is known as the 'Grass Lady' and rightfully so! Carolyn and I toured the gardens, which are gorgeous - nursery display gardens are so educational! As we all know, a plant in a pot rarely holds the same form as when planted in the ground and established. Carolyn's display garden is full of the grasses she grows, vegetables and lovely perennials. So I could walk over and identify the plants which 'moved' me, then pick up a pot of it and buy it. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the display gardens, I was too busy learning and laughing with Carolyn, but I can show you what I bought!

Miscanthus 'Little Zebra'

4' tall and wide with purplish blooms

arching, fountain-like form

This fall's 'all-the-rage' plant

Hakonechloa macra 'Fubuki'

white-green variegation with pink tinges

reported to stay smaller - about 12-18"

part-full shade

Phormium...NOPE!

Its a Pennesetum! Pennesetum 'Princess Caroline'

BUT...its a zone 8, so we'll see about it's hardiness!

Super cool form - very spiky and upright - solid structure, nice burgandy foliage.

I don't think it will bloom here...

Eragrostis species

upright, spiky, green foliage with pinky (not so much yet) blooms that are closely affixed to the basal clump.

approx. 18" tall

Panicum 'Ruby Ribbons'

GORGEOUS fall color - green, red, blue, purple - fab!

upright, 4'

I love this grass!!! I've wanted it in my own garden for some time now...

Calamagrostis brachytricha

approx. 1/2" wide green blade, fountain form with fluffy purple, smoky, 10" blooms

Look at that Calamagrostis bloom against the black pot!

I love it!

Carolyn Kolb is coming to Portland to speak about grasses on September 28th as part of the

Hardy Plant Society Genius Series.

Fall Plant Sale!!!!

2010-09-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

WHAT: Hardy Plant Society Plant Sale
WHEN: Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19th
WHERE: Portland EXPO Hall C

Its time! its time! to get out there to see and buy some cool plants for our gardens!!!

Meeting Danger Garden and Plant Lust...

2010-09-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

I finally met (face to face) Loree from Danger Garden. I've been following her blog regularly but never met her - it was so exciting! I also met Megan from Nestmaker. These two savvy women are setting out on an adventure - Plant Lust! Plant Lust seriously simple search for plants and where to buy them - how awesome...and I DO mean 'awesome'. It seems many have tried to coordinate and develop such a data base but have failed when it comes to information that is relevant in our region. Where Plant Lust seems to differ is that they are creating a data base full of information provided by growers. So far I see Gossler Farms and Rare Plant Nursery have contributed information and some pictures - I can't wait to see who's next. Check out Plant Lust.

Black Plants...the new white garden?

2010-09-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Generally speaking, I'm not much of a fan of one-color gardens but after Paul Bonine's, of Xera Plants, talk on Black Plants, I've re-considered my position. Why not design a black garden? Do I refrain from designing a black garden out of protest to the one-color gardens that do not interest me? Do one-color gardens not possess a modernity that I gravitate toward? Perhaps one-color gardens can be exciting, daring and bold! Perhaps I'll design a black garden! I LOVE true black blooms such as Salvia discolor (Zone9b), foliage and all hues of purple foliage such as Euphorbia 'Blackbird'. Last weekend at Joy Creek Nursery, Paul Bonine, author of Black Plants introduced some of his favorite dark-hued beauties. For example, in containers we could try Coprosma repens 'Roy's Red', Cosmos atrosanguineus or Phormium 'Platt's Black'. In our gardens, we could plant Lobelia 'Queen Victoria', Aster lateriflorus 'Prince' and Sedum 'Bertram Anderson'.

My perspective of the one-color garden not being modern and not being interesting, may have been huge oversight or rather ignorance... Were many gardeners designing one-color gardens when Vita Sackville-West designed her white garden at Sissinghurst? I believe not! Sackville-West seems to have broken new ground when she built her one-color garden - actually she started a trend!

Is black the new white?

SLOPES, DRY SOIL AND WET SOIL...what to do?

2010-08-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I attended the Sunday afternoon lecture at Joy Creek Nursery. Richie Steffan of the Elizabeth C. Miller Garden and Great Plant Picks addressed 'Choosing Plants for Challenging Sites' - plants that perform well in dry shade, wet soils and on slopes. First, Richie spoke to the importance of prioritizing areas of the garden in terms of how many resources (money and time/maintenance) we wish to allocate to these areas of our gardens. Such areas of priority may include the entry areas to our homes. For most of us, these are areas that we see everyday and want to look good as well as function well (spacious and easy movement through the areas). After identifying our 'priority areas', we were cautioned to hire professionals to help us build in the difficult areas such as on slopes. "Always remember: long steep unstable or potentially unstable slopes are a professional job. Unstable or potentially unstable slopes near structures are a professional job. It is always better, if in doubt, to have a professional evaluate the slope". I couldn't have said it better myself! ...so I didn't...

Then we got to the plants.... Richie shared a collection from the nursery which are good examples of plants that perform in tough spots. One that I'm not familiar with is Euonymous fortunei 'Kewensis'. Its tag states that it reaches 4" tall by 3' wide and as this ground cover becomes established, its growth resembles waves and grows well in dry shade....sounds cool! Richie's hand outs were great - definitions of types of shade and types of wet soils and lists of plants that grow well in these conditions. You can find links to his handouts on the Miller Garden website.

Up next weekend (Sept. 5th, 1pm) at Joy Creek Nursery...

Black in the Garden - Paul Bonine

The allure of black plants has captured the imagination of gardeners and their use has gained popularity in garden-making. Even an ordinary garden can be transformed into a canvas with a depth of light and shadow by using dark foliage and flowers. Paul will discuss a sampling of these unique plants that can be used to create a mysterious beauty in the garden. (Approved for 1 Technical CEH)Paul Bonine is co-owner of the wholesale nursery Xera Plants Inc. with his business partner Greg Shepherd. He has worked in the nursery industry since 1992 beginning in Eugene and then moving to Portland. Paul's special interests include plants that are adapted to low water usage, perform well in the Portland area and expand the plant palette for Northwest gardeners. In 2009 he authored the book Black Plants: 75 Striking Choices for the Garden for Timber Press.

Oregon Coast-Manzanita/Nehalem

2010-07-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day, late morning, the clouds had 'burned off' and I was on my way to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain. Through the forest, we climbed and climbed, stopping to catch my breath and catch sight of the flora under foot, I spot Lilium columbianum

and carpets of Claytonia siberica (I think!)

When we reached the top, sunlit wildflowers covered the ground and

this is the view down onto the ocean!

This is a fabulous hike on a clear day!!

Changes...

2010-06-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

After 6 years of Open Gardens, I'm taking this year off. Its my time to watch, live in and with the imperfections, re-discover my original design intent and stop picking up those darn apple leaves EVERY DAY!!! ...Yes, gardening/living with old fruit trees is very high maintenance!

Because I use my garden as a test garden and display garden, its original idea or concept that drives the design, has become murky and weak. Originally, I sought after a pan-asian/tropical garden what I have now is a mix of too many un-related plants that don't make a clear enough statement.

I've become aware that the most simple and structural plantings please me the most in my garden, which really isn't a surprise but I'm 'knowing' it now. In an effort to re-gain a more cohesive garden, I'm starting by removing all but two plants with blue-green foliage, the remaining will be green, black and yellow foliage. I want to move away from some of the NewZealand (probably not all!) plants and back to more Asian originated plants.

I'll accomplish this by removing most, if not all, of my Acaena 'Purpurea'

and Helleborus x 'Hot Flash'

and maybe Crambe maritima

....we'll see how true to my vision I'll actually be!

Unfortunately, I've lost some plants to the cold winter

and my beloved Hebe buxifolia to Verticillium Wilt.

I'm pretty close to saying 'Goodbye' to my Tetrapanax too. The main trunk did not leaf out this year but, of course, suckers are everywhere. As much as I love the look of Tetrapanax, I think my love affair is over....

Oysters!

2010-06-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

I get so excited about good food...and isn't it gorgeous!

Well, only if you like oysters, will you find these little guys gorgeous!

...Consuming fresh, local, seasonal food so full of vitality and life, we are fortunate to reside in a place so full of it! Even though the rains are heavy and the sunshine is light, the snowbells, poppies, strawberries and peas remind us that this season is abundant and beautiful.

A Change of Scenery

2010-06-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Often people say...'A change of scenery will do you good!' Of course we all know this is true but when we experience it, it feels magical each time we re-experience it!

On a recent trip to the Columbia Gorge, I had such an experience. I left Portland with a foggy, easily distracted, quick mind and returned with a cleansed, focused and calm mind....ahhhhh....

I was a guest in the house in the distance...not bad, huh?

Peas and Fava Beans

2010-05-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ah....springtime!

Rain pours from the skies, peas blooming in pinks, purples and blues, life is abundant!

I'd like to share a fantastic springtime recipe with you from Jamie Oliver's, Jamie at Home.

Smashed Peas and Fava Beans on Toast.

You simply must try it! The flavors, or maybe I should say, flavours, are just too perfect! The lightly dressed pea shoots, freshly snipped from the garden, delicate flavor and texture of the fresh mozzarella and smashed peas and favas is perfectly balanced. Eating fresh from the garden and seasonally from the market is golden!

Pigeonnier

2010-05-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

I've recently learned of a really cool architectural structure - a Pigeonnier. Traditionally used in France during the 17th and 18th centuries as a Pigeon House among the wealthy. The buildings are tall, narrow and open on the bottom to allow the Pigeon droppings to fall to the ground where they can be gathered and used to fertilize the garden....pretty darn cool, huh?!

A current client learned of Pigeonniers, organized a tour for herself in New Orleans to learn more about them. She absolutely fell in love with them and their potential in her new garden. She intends to have one built in her garden where she'll listen to and watch the winter rain, escape the summer sun and enjoy a cocktail. Here's a picture of a Pigeionnier from an article in the Old House Journal.

Deer deterrent

2010-04-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

Two clients visited my garden last week, which by the way, is very sad looking! On the way out, down the stairs, they spoke of needing to go home to spray. Spray, I ask? Spray what? They were off to spray their garden plants to deter deer from eating them. I was shocked to learn that deer frequent their lush garden, as there are no signs of munching... none that I've noticed. It turns out that they regularly spray their garden with a mixture of:

2 eggs
2 cups of liquid (1 of milk, 1 water)
blend until smooth in a blender (it takes awhile before the mixture is totally smooth which is necessary)
Pour into a sprayer
Clean spray nozzle periodically (it the mixture easily clogs)

The deterrent lasts 2 weeks or until rain washes it off.

Interesting, huh!

Perfect, little green roof!

2010-04-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Walking through Pier Park, I spotted this little 'cabin' perfectly placed among the deep shade of the conifers.

Upon closer inspection, I notice the roof is 'planted' with ferns - I love it! The ferns are native to the area and generally found on the ground floor. Here, the ferns are elevated to to the roof. The ferns look so soft and cushy, I want to climb up there and take a nap!

Richard Serra Sculpture:Forty Years

2010-04-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Over the winter I enrolled in a sculptural welding class to keep my brain open and my spirit inspired. In a conversation with my teacher, Michael Creger, he suggested that I do some research into Richard Serra's work. I found this retrospective of Richard Serra's work from 2007 at MOMA.

RICHARD SERRA RETROSPECTIVE

This beautiful black and white site beautifully captures Serra's work and intention through video and recordings. Serra describes his work both conceptually and practically (how he created these enormous works or art) which is fascinating!

His work is experiential. The viewer 'experiences' his work through his/her own physical, intellectual and emotional interaction/relationship to the space.

I'm very 'into' the idea of experiential art, spaces, gardens...

Signs of Spring...for me!

2010-04-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Ah...signs of spring also mean summer is on the way! Don't worry I'm enjoying the moment but the beginning of the gardening season makes me all giddy inside and I can't help but look forward to the warmer months too!

Signs of Spring - Our apple tree full of pristine white and pink blossoms

A sign of the summer to come ...

A new pair of flips!!

Spring at the Japanese Garden

2010-03-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended an evening lecture at the Portland Japanese Garden by Ron Herman. Mr. Herman is a highly demanded Landscape Architect based in Northern California. Humble, gracious well-read and highly talented, Mr. Herman's work and lecture is thoroughly engaging. As in any good lecture, there are several key points that resonate and 'stick' with me. Ideas that resonate with me require further investigation through experimentation and finally through assimilation in my practice as a viewer. One of my favorite key points from Mr. Herman's lecture is ...

an object becomes more engaging, when it is partially revealed.

Along the ground plane, curves can be used to obscure sight lines - leading our eyes to explore the space gradually, rather than all at once.

Stones which are 'planted' are partially revealed and appear more natural.

...I'll continue to explore this idea and post photos as I stumble across them.

Chanticleer 3

2010-03-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

Chanitcleer continued...

Don't you just love the look of edibles mixed with ornamentals in these lovely containers!

The Lacinato Kale and Melianthus with pops of purple-hued foliage - perfect!

Chanticleer has been mixing edibles into ornamental plantings for years.

The same hues of color are repeated across the pathway in these containers which frame the view of the picturesque rolling lawn.

On Fridays the garden remains open into the evening. Adults and children with picnic baskets and blankets pour into the garden to claim their spots for the evening. It seems this garden is 'theirs' for the evening- they seem to use the garden much like a park for eating, relaxing and playing. The rolling lawn, is just that, the perfect lawn to roll down which is especially fun to watch while sipping fresh watermelon and vodka cocktails (which I did).

Some of Martha Donahue's ceramic bamboo perfectly placed in a planting of the real thing.

Outside of the Ruin Garden, lovely hot, dryland plantings interrupted by flamed stone treads 'planted' in the lawn subtlety intrigue and prepare for the Ruins ahead.

Pools of purple-pink Thymus lead to the Ruin. The curvilinear lines of the Thymus 'pools' create an cooling feeling and soften the architecture of the Ruins ahead (post on the Ruin next time)

On the other side of the Thymus 'pools' are sweeps of Dianthus that lead us down the stepped hillside to the next promontory.

It was here, that I fell in love with old-fashioned pinks - Dianthus. The rich sweet scent of pinks filled the heavy, wet, spring air.

From the promontory at the bottom of the 'Dianthus Walk' I can see the Serpentine.

The Serpentine is planted several times each year with an agricultural crop.

Ivan McLean reception tonight!

2010-03-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

Remember my post showing photos of the large steel sculptures from the Yard, Garden and Patio Show? Tonight at Springbox Gallery artist, Ivan McLean's presents his newest works.

A Spring Evening in the Garden

2010-03-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Do you know that feeling when the light is absolutely perfect?
In these moments, I have the feeling that I am the only person (in the world!) to experience this magic light in this perfect moment...as silly as that is! Last night I experienced such a moment. The light was dark denim-blue, leading the blooms of the Edgeworthia, Pulmonaria, Helleborus and new foliage on the Eriobotrya to 'pop' out to say 'Hello'!

Edgeworthia chrysantha

Loropetalum 'Pippa's Red' and Helleborus x sternii 'Hot Flash'

Eriobotrya japonica

The little grass tuft is a new grass to me from Wind Dancer Nursery -Luzula alpinopilosa. I understand it will grow to 12" in sun with enough water or part shade with less. When I first saw it, all I could think is that I wanted to sit on it...pretty weird, huh?

Atmosphere

2010-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:00

Atmosphere

1 the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet
• the air in any particular place
• (abbr.: atm) Physics a unit of pressure equal to mean atmospheric pressure at sea level, 101,325 pascals.

2 the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.
• a pleasurable and interesting or exciting mood

Atmosphere (the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art)
is important to me - it affects me.

When I walk into a space I feel the space before I see it.

Atmosphere is so important to me, that I don't want to be in spaces that don't provoke my interest. I'd argue that most people feel similarly, whether we admit it aloud or realize it... we are affected by the spaces we inhabit.

To create atmosphere, we must first study it. I believe the best way to do this, is to visit many different spaces (any type...gardens, museums, natural landscapes, restaurants) and ask yourself how these spaces make you feel. Do you like the space? Why? Are there visual elements that remind you of other spaces? What are those visual elements? Are there familiar sounds in the space? Or a familiar negative sound or perhaps lack of auditory pressure? When we think about how we feel in spaces, we begin to develop and acquire an 'atmospheric' language that is useful in creating spaces that nurture us, make us feel good or just plain want to inhabit them.

I like the feeling of walking through narrow passages that end in more open areas, that feeling of a surprise at the end of a tunnel. In my garden, I've used plants that grow large spaced along side pathways, that 'close' or 'compress' passages leading to areas in the garden that are 'open' and feel more vast.

I encourage you to explore spaces and places that you find appealing and ask yourself why?

Smell the air!

2010-02-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

Walking through the garden gate,

I am hit in the face with a cacophony of fragrance! At times it is too much but mostly I relish the moments of sunny, fragrant air that we are so lucky to experience this winter/spring.

Edgeworthia chrysantha

like dripping honey-delicious!

Daphne odora 'Aureo-Marginata' (out of focus, sorry!)

lemony, sweet.

and Azara microphylla's tiny yellow flower smelling of chocolate and vanilla.

These are a some of my 'must haves' in the spring garden!!