Cascade Nursery Trail

Hosta ‘Ripple Effect’, Sebright Gardens

Specialty nurseries are so fun to visit, so I was thrilled to learn that seven specialty nurseries between Canby, Beavercreek and Silverton got together to entice gardeners to stop by for a visit. They call themselves the Cascade Nursery Trail.


Four garden writer friends and I challenged ourselves to visit all seven in one day. Actually, I don’t recommend it because (1) you aren’t able to properly savor the experience at each nursery, i.e., investigating and buying plants and meeting the owners and (2) we found it impossible to do. Regrettably, we had to call and cancel our visit to one of the nurseries; even then we barely made it to six of them. Leaving Wilsonville at 8:30am to head to our first nursery, we didn’t return until 6:30pm (but we did return with a car load of plants!). My recommendation? Make it a two-day journey. You’ll be able to linger when inspired to do so.

Several of the nurseries have extensive display gardens that make it worth a visit: Sebright Gardens, Secret Garden Growers, and Wild Ginger. Out in the Garden Nursery is expanding their display garden around three groves of heritage Oregon White Oaks and intend to offer it as an event site when the gardens are more fully established.

‘Irish Orange’ Heath

Highland Heather (Canby) specializes in heaths, heathers and good companion plants (e.g., hardy hebes and Pieris). They offer more than 100 varieties. Owner Janice Leinwebber says they are not difficult to grow; they just need (1) full sun, (2) good drainage, and (3) water for their first year. They grow well in poor soil and over fertilization is a danger. We were curious about the difference between heaths and heathers. Heather is an overarching term that encompasses both, however the only true heather is Calluna vulgaris, which only blooms at the end of summer and has waxy, small shell–like overlapping leaves.

Heather ‘Nana Compacta’

Heaths, on the other hand, include Erica and Daboecia and can bloom at different times of the year and the leaves tend to roll under at the edges. I was smitten with Erica x stuartii ‘Irish Orange’ with it’s orange and yellow new growth and Calluna vulgaris ‘Nana Compacta’ with its bun-like habit.




Designer Lisa Meddin provides
scale for the huge Tibetan Lily

You may have encountered Secret Garden Growers (Canby) at local plant sales, but the nursery is open regular hours and offers online shopping. Just around the corner from Highland Heather, you’ll find rare and unusual perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, herbs and gourmet edibles that they find on their travels around the country. Owners Pat Thompson and Bill Newton are certified arborists; Pat also designs gardens, samples of which you’ll see around the nursery.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
always lights up the garden

Hundreds of hostas at Sebright Gardens

On to Sebright Gardens (between Brooks and Salem), one of my all-time favorite nurseries because I adore, adore, adore hostas, ferns and epimediums, all of which are specialties of the nursery! They also offer a selection of other woodland shade plants and select conifers. Whet your appetite by walking the display gardens then select from almost 500 hosta varieties, 48 variety of epimediums and about 100 varieties of ferns. Hostas ‘June Fever’, ‘August Frost’, ‘Temptation’ and several more varieties insisted that they come home with me.

So may beautiful plants
it’s hard to choose

Before lunch in Silverton, we snuck in a quick visit to Garden Thyme, located just south of The Oregon Garden. They’ve been open 11 years, evolving from a focus on herbs to now offering a wide range of plants, from annuals and perennials to a small selection of trees and shrubs. Santolina virens ‘Lemon Fizz’ is one of their best sellers this year.

Had everything gone according to schedule, we would have visited Nowlens Bridge Perennials. The nursery specializes in woodland plants, shade perennials, shrubs and garden trees. They have an open house planned for June 16 and 17, so that might be a good time for a visit. They also are open by appointment.

Shade selections at
Out in the Garden Nursery

We did make it to Out in the Garden Nursery (Mollalla). Owner Carol Westergreen has degrees in horticulture and landscape architecture, and she’s a very able grower of shade and sun perennials. She looks for plants with interesting textures and colors that offer more than one season of interest in the garden. She is willing and able to guide you on lovely plant combinations. I was sorely tempted by a white allium and Heuchera ‘Miracle’ but instead took home a few beautiful ferns (I may have to make a return trip for that scrumptious ‘Miracle’).

A growing display garden

A Pacific Coast iris selection

At the end of the day, owners Emma Elliott and Truls Jensen and their three canine companions welcomed us to Wild Ginger Farm (Beavercreek). Lifelong gardeners, they developed an interest in exploring different plant habitats and discovered alpines. In 2003, they started selling plant online. Today, you can also visit their nursery and see them at specialty plant sales. They also developed an interest in natives and Emma now breeds Pacific Coast iris. You’re bound to see an array of unusual plants with very interesting flower displays and/or growth forms. A dwarf Clematis integrafolia came home with me among a few others that I just have to try in a miniature garden-like setting.



A dense mat of Raoulia australis

 It was a very satisfying day. Now there’s lots of planting to do!

To read an account from one of my nursery tour companions, click here.

Do you have a favorite nursery that is a must see?

Garden Events & Classes

Tall bearded iris ‘Belgian Princess’
(photo courtesy of Schreiner’s Gardens)

EVENTS
May 18 (4-8pm), 19 (10am-7pm) & 20 (noon-5pm) – Home & Garden Show (Newport).

May 19-20, 11am-4pm – Three Open Nurseries, Rare Plant Research (Oregon City)—Begin your tour at Rare Plant Research with its Mediterranean, tropical and succulent plants, many of which are only available here. Linger to visit the 12th century-inspired stone castle and its rock gardens. This is an annual, once-a-year event where three nurseries and gardens are open at the same time on mile long Criteser Rd. near Oregon City. Click here for more information.

May 26, 10am-4pm – Inviting Vines V—a tour of private Lake Oswego-area gardens featuring clematis. Benefits the Rogerson Clematis Collection. Tickets on sale at http://www.rogersonclematiscollection.org/.

Through June 3, dawn to dusk – Schreiner's Gardens Open Gardens (Salem)—Schreiner's is the nation's largest retail grower of Iris, with 200 acres in nearby fields and 10 acres of fabulous display gardens open to the public.

Through June 15, 9am-6pm – Adelman Peony Gardens (Salem)—Walk the fields to see heirloom and new varieties blooming.



Photo courtesy of James Wrathall

 CLASSES (unless noted, classes are free)
For a complete list of classes and workshops, visit the Web sites of these Garden Centers & Nurseries:

Al's Garden Center (Gresham, Sherwood, Woodburn)
Bauman Farm & Garden (Gervais)
Cornell Farms (Portland)
Dennis' 7 Dees (Cedar Hills, Lake Oswego, Portland, Seaside)
Egan Gardens (Salem)
Farmington Gardens (Beaverton)
French Prairie Gardens (St. Paul)
Garden Fever! (Portland)
Garland Nursery (Corvallis)
Hughes Water Gardens (Wilsonville)
Joy Creek Nursery (Scappoose)
Oregon Garden, The (Silverton)
Portland Nursery (Portland)
Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)
Rogerson Clematis Collection (Lake Oswego)
Shonnard's Nursery/Florist/Landscape (Corvallis)
Smith Berry Barn (Hillsboro)
Terra Gardens Nursery & Bark (Salem)
Tsugawa Nursery (Woodland, Wash.)

May 12 (also offered June 2 & 16), 9am-1pm – Garden Boot Camp, Rosemound Farm (Hillsboro)—Whether you are a novice to the wonderful world of horticulture or a gardening guru, Jenna Bayer's Garden Bootcamp is a fun and interactive way to help you create your garden dreams come true. You will learn the basics of maintaining plant health, soil structure and chemistry; how mulch can be your best friend; design and layout; plant selection; and how to deal with pests and pathogens. The class is held at the 30-acre Rosemound Farm and includes refreshments. Cost: $140. Register online.

May 12, 11am – Little Sprouts: Herb Planter for Mom, Garland Nursery (Corvallis)—Kids will plant a gift for mom that continues to give throughout the year. Different types of herbs and how they can be used will be discussed, then each Little Sprout will plant a herb pot to give to their mom for Mother's Day. Registration required by calling 541-753-6601. Cost: $5 per child.

May 12, 1pm – Garden Gems with Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries, The Oregon Garden (Silverton). Cost: garden admission.

May 12, 1pm – Vertical Gardens, Garden Fever! (Portland)—No matter what garden show, magazine or blog you see, there's talk about vertical gardening, the newest way to "pot-up." If you have a spot in your garden or outdoor seating area with space restrictions, go up! Vertical gardens are living art and Randy Raburn has created a simple and elegant wall-hanging planter to get you started with this newest trend. How-to lecture at 1pm; 1:30pm workshop (purchase a vertical planter and plants). Reservations are required by calling 503.287.3200.

May 14, 10am – Berries for the Home Garden, Smith Berry Barn (Hillsboro)—Owner Rich Hilder will focus on how to grow the best varieties of berries in your own backyard with expert advice on growing, maintaining and harvesting to ensure an abundant supply of berries year after year. Farm tour and demonstrations included. Each participant receives 20% off all berry plants on day of class.

May 17, 5:30pm (also June 21, July 19 or August 16) – Grilling in the Garden Dinners, French Prairie Gardens (St. Paul)—Delight in the bounty of seasonal flavors where farm fresh produce and meat are the stars at dinner. Stroll the gardens with a glass of Oregon wine or craft brew in your hand while listening to local musicians before sitting down for a locally-made three-course feast. Cost: $30 per person (beer and wine sold separately; gratuity not included). Reservations required by calling 503.633.8445.

May 19, 11:30am – How to Grow Tomatoes, Smith Berry Barn (Hillsboro)—Nothing says summer like fresh tomatoes, but growing this popular summer fruit can be tricky. You'll receive growing and harvesting advice, as well as information on the many varieties available. Each participant will receive 10% off all tomato starts on the day of class.

May 20, 10am-noon – Art of Tea Making, Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)—Learn the ancient art of hand processing your own tea from the traditional tea plant (Camelia sinensis) grown right here in the Pacific NW! In this introductory class, local tea master Balazs Henger will discuss the diverse varieties of tea that can be made from the same plant and demonstrate the process for making white, green, black & oolong teas. Learn all aspects of making tea from growing your own plants, harvesting the leaves, processing them, and finally brewing. During the class enjoy the opportunity to taste these delicious and aromatic teas. Cost: $35 per person. Reservations required by calling 503.864.8502.

May 20, 11am-12:30pm – Naturescaping, Portland Nursery (Division St.)—Learn the principles and practices of Naturescaping with expert Lora Price of Design With Nature. She will teach you how to create a "nature inspired" backyard that works with nature, not against it, all while saving you time and money. Naturescaping creates habitat for birds, butterflies and bees, helps you reduce water use, decreases stormwater runoff, eliminates the need for chemical garden products, and much more. Lora will also introduce you to various native plants that are both beautiful and perform well in our urban gardens. Click here to register for this class.

May 20, 1pm – Hebes for Northwest Gardens, Joy Creek Nursery (Scappoose)—Hebes are small evergreen shrubs from New Zealand, which come in a wonderful array of colors, textures, and sizes. The numerous species and cultivars of Hebes have varying degrees of hardiness but many varieties are outstanding for our region. These will be examined and how to use them in the garden, including tips for making them thrive, will be discussed.

May 26, 2pm – Gardening with Pets, Dennis 7 Dees (SE Powell location)—Have pets and want a beautiful yard? Think one has to be sacrificed for the other? Learn how pet-friendly landscaping is easier than you think. Pets, especially dogs, want to roam and claim your yard as much as you want to garden in it. Methods for making in this relationship work will be discussed, including plant choices and safety, so both you and your furry friends are happy. Click here to register.

June 2, 1pm – Vegetable Gardening, Bauman Farms (Gervais). Call or email to RSVP.

June 2, 2pm - Brunneras & Other Shade Perennials, Egan Gardens (Keizer).

June 9, 10am-noon - Beginning Bonsai, Terra Gardens Nursery & Bark (Salem)—Class includes instruction, Bonsai starter tree, a pot, book and the tools and supplies needed to get the tree started. Join a fun and interesting journey into the world of Bonsai. Cost: $40 pre-registered; $45 at the door. All tools and materials supplied.

June 9, 1pm - Dirt Cheap Gardening with Marianne Binetti, The Oregon Garden (Silverton)—Class will be held in the Education Center. Cost: garden admission.

June 16, 10am (Woodburn) & 1pm (Sherwood) – Hardy Fuchsias, Al's Garden Center—Learn from Clarence Berger, SW Portland Fuchsia Club, about the many different varieties of hardy fuchsias that can take northwest winters and will return year after year in your garden. Class covers planting tips and how to keep hardy fuchsias blooming.

Cool Conifer Cones

Abies koreana 'Nanimo'

Flowers are obvious choices to add color to our gardens. Less obvious is foliage even though it often provides a longer season of interest. Even more under-utilized as a garden design element are conifers and their technicolor cones.

This is the time of year to enjoy the extra show conifers put on for us. It’s sort of like adding a piece of jewelry to a lovely outfit: it provides an extra visual impact. Often new growth on conifers offers interesting contrast—the bright spring green against darker mature needles—but cones can be spectacular additions, too. Enjoy conifers in containers and nestled in the garden.

Here’s a sampling of photos provided by Dave Grotz, owner of Peace of Mind Nursery, a nursery open by appointment to the public with a location in West Linn on the banks of the Willamette River and just a mile or so from The Oregon Garden in Silverton. More photos can be found on the nursery’s web site. Dave can be reached by calling 503.949.4944. Many exceptional conifers can also be found in your local garden centers and other specialty nurseries. Visit our online Nursery and Garden Center Guide to find one located near you.

 Abies cilicica 	 Abies koreana ‘Starker’s Dwarf’ 
Cedrus deodara 'Pendula'	 Abies concolor ‘Sherwood Blue’ 
Abies koreana ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’	Picea alcoquiana ‘Howell’s Tigertail’
Picea likiangensis ‘Purpurea’	Cedrus libani ‘Blue Snake’
Picea abies ‘Acrocona’	Pinus parviflora ‘Bergman’
 Picea bractytyla 	Picea mariana ‘Aureovariegata’

The Edible Ornamental Garden

Oxalis with Geranium ‘Rozanne’

Getting ready to prepare a meal? Wander out into the garden and you might just find some edible ornamental plants. Add interesting flavors and visual interest to your dinner salad with a few tart Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregano) leaves and flowers, for example.








Photo: James Wrathall

While most people wouldn’t classify dandelions as ornamental, I secretly suspect that many admire the bright yellow flowers, myself included, when they aren’t growing in our own yards or cracks in the sidewalk. All parts of the dandelion are edible and have medicinal and culinary uses. Dandelion roots can be harvested during any frost-free period of the year and eaten raw or steamed. The flowers can be added to a salad, made into jellies or dipped in batter to make dandelion fritters (you can even make dandelion wine). The leaves are rich in potassium, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. Dandelion greens can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, sautéed or braised. For use in salads, greens should be harvested from new plants while still small and tender, before the first flower emerges. Larger greens tend to be tougher and more bitter, and better suited for cooking. (Source: Mother Earth News)

♦ ♦ ♦

Wilted Dandelion Greens Salad
4 slices of bacon, chopped
1 small red onion, diced
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 bunch dandelion greens, washed and dried, stems removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Fry bacon bits in a skillet until they are crisp and have rendered all their fat. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings and return the skillet to the burner. Add onion and stir in the sugar and cider vinegar. Pour the hot dressing over the greens, tossing the greens so as to coat them with dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. [Note: To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the bacon and prepare the dressing with oil.]

♦ ♦ ♦

Simple Sautéed Dandelion Greens
1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
1 to 2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bunch dandelion greens, washed and dried, stems removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until it becomes translucent. Add the greens and sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. If your greens are tough, you may want to cover the pan and steam them for a minute or 2 more. Add salt and pepper to taste.

♦ ♦ ♦




Photo: http://www.folkarttree.blogspot.com/

The fiddleheads of some ferns are edible, particularly the ostrich ferm. But Ruth Lively, senior editor of the former Kitchen Gardener magazine, cautions that any fiddlehead be eaten in small quantities. “The term ‘fiddlehead’ refers to a young, tightly coiled fern frond because it looks like the scroll of a violin. Throughout the world, several types of fiddleheads are eaten, though most contain toxic compounds. The most commonly eaten and most esteemed fiddlehead is that of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris, USDA Hardiness Zones 2–8), often simply called fiddlehead fern. The ostrich fern is the safest fern to eat, even though it, too, can contain toxins. The fiddleheads of cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) can also be eaten, but all are at least mildly toxic and can cause nausea, dizziness, and headache, so it’s probably best to avoid them. The safest way to eat fiddleheads is to stick to ostrich ferns and to eat them in small quantities. If foraging seems daunting, you can likely find fiddleheads at early spring farmers markets.

“Fiddleheads offer a fresh flavor reminiscent of asparagus and a pleasantly crunchy, tender-firm texture. As the fiddleheads enlarge and unfurl, they become tough and stringy, so harvest fiddleheads and their shoots (stems) when they are 8 to 16 inches tall, by bending the stalk until it snaps. Before eating, rinse the fiddleheads well, rubbing off any brown, papery particles that cling. Raw fiddleheads are good in salads. To cook fiddleheads, simply boil them until tender and dress with a little butter. Fiddleheads can also be blanched first until about half tender in a little salted water and then finished by being braised in stock or sautéed in butter or oil with garlic. With their bright color, interesting flavor, and toothy texture, fiddleheads are a stunning addition to pasta sauces and stir-fry dishes.” [Source: Fine Gardening.com]

Create a Succulent Picture



Photo: www.bhg.com/

While not a fan of spiky plants (see blog post titled “Spiky Plants”), I am a fan of the color and form of succulents. I subscribe to the Better Homes and Gardens weekly online newsletter to see how it promotes plants and gardening. This succulent picture project popped up this week and I thought it worthy of sharing. It’s an opportunity for anyone to create and enjoy living art. Wouldn’t it be fun to make with a friend or family member and make a great easy care gift?! Follow the link, click through the photos and you'll learn how to make it.

Name this “Plant” Puzzler

Using the concept of word play or Rebus puzzler, what plant does this photo represent (hint: it’s the common name of a plant)? All correct submissions will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of one of my favorite books: The Man Who Planted Trees.

Submit your answer here. 

Photo by Taylor Dubose



Play in the Dirt!

Excerpts from MyNorthwest.com and OregonState.edu

Sharyn Clough, a researcher and philosopher at Oregon State University, has discovered that women who have higher rates of allergies and other autoimmune disorders may be a result of being too clean. She believes the link between hygiene, gender and disease is not just a fluke. Running amok in the dirt and mud might make for healthier kids. Now that doesn’t mean that kids should eat dirt, rather, just get a little dirtier!

“Girls tend to be dressed more in clothing that is not supposed to get dirty, girls tend to play indoors more than boys, and girl’s playtime is more often supervised by parents,” said Clough, adding that this is likely to result in girls staying cleaner. “There is a significant difference in the types and amounts of germs that girls and boys are exposed to, and this might explain some of the health differences we find between women and men.”

istockphoto

Being exposed to high amounts of bacteria found in dirt can actually help build a healthier immune system. "There is some thought that getting exposed to things, even parasites and different microbial elements in the dirt, might actually improve the overall immunity that a child develops," said Dr. Aoi Mizushima of Providence Medical Group Family Practice.

One daycare center in Portland has taken the study to heart, as they encourage both boys and girls to play in the mud. The Portland Providence Wee Care Day Care Center provides a pair of rubber boots, shovels, and a mud box for their kids to play in. As Wee Care director Colette Brown explained, "We always tell parents the kids are going to get dirty. That's part of the work of childhood.”

You can learn more about Sharyn Clough's research on Oregon State's website.

Spiky Plants

I’m not a fan of spiky plants. There...I said it. Perhaps my loathing started when, as a teenager, I had to remove lots of wild yucca as a fire safety precaution around a cabin my family was building in the foothills of Southern California. Even though I’d choose a feathery fern or hemlock over an agave any day, I will admit to admiring the architectural structure spiky plants offer the landscape.


Photo by Debra Lee Baldwin

I came across this photo in Pacific Horticulture by photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin, author of Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardening. Obviously Debra is a talented photographer, but I’m still amazed at how striking this garden is. And it’s the spiky plants that make all the difference. Doesn’t it remind you of a coral reef? For more information on succulents, follow Debra’s blog.


Photo by H. Zell, commons.wikimedia.org

People’s interest in another spiky plant baffles me. What’s commonly called the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) is a prehistoric conifer with thick, spiky green leaves whorled around each branch. A native of the Andean mountains in Chile and Argentina, it’s a huge tree—in favorable conditions it can reach over 100 feet tall—yet I’ve seen it planted in front residential yards close to sidewalks, driveways and streets. I’ve also heard the sound of the coconut-size cones—which are filled with more than 200 edible seeds—drop to the ground and was thankful that I wasn’t within striking distance! Even the trunk is covered in sharp scales. Brought to England at the end of the 18th century, the tree was popular in Victorian parks and gardens. Considered a living fossil and the national tree of Chile, it is now a crime to cut one down in that country because so few remain. It’s a fascinating tree with a 120 million year history.

Do you have a favorite spiky plant that you can’t live without?

Garden Events & Classes

EVENTS

April 14, 8am-4pm – Gardenpalooza at Fir Point Farms (Canby)—Forty plant and garden art vendors will showcase their beautiful plants and garden décor. Visit gardenpalooza.com for event details.

April 14, 9am-4pm – Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserves Native Plant Sale & Fair (Hillsboro)—Activities, Information booths and native plants. For more information, click here.

Through April 30, 9am-6pm – Tulip Fest, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (Woodburn)—Over 40 Acres of tulips and daffodils! Buy cut flowers, order bulbs for fall planting, children's activities and gift shop. Every day enjoy a variety of activities along with the beautiful tulips fields, which change every year. Check the "Schedule of Events" for a detailed list of daily and weekend activities. Cost: Weekends $10/car; Weekdays $5/car. Address: 33814 S. Meridian Rd., Woodburn.

April 20-22 – 5th Annual Greenhouse Gallery, Bauman Farms (Gervais)—Art show featuring 20 local artists with crafts ranging from painting and photography to metal art and glass blowing. Throughout the day mimosas are served and wine tastings take place to add a little extra fun to the event. This year, a portion of the proceeds goes to Caring Bridge.

April 21 – Garland Nursery's 75th Anniversary Celebration (Corvallis)—Enjoy live music, tours, as well as wine and food for purchase. Enter to win prizes and enjoy fabulous one-day-only savings. Festivities begin at 11am with a ribbon cutting to unveil the newly renovated Garland Historic Rock Garden. Take a Heritage Tree Tour starting at noon. Willi Galloway, author of Grow, Cook, Eat: A food-lover's guide to vegetable gardening, will talk about the ins and outs of growing your own urban garden and converting it to yummy treats for your kitchen. Visit http://www.garlandnursery.com/ for details.

April 21, 10am-2pm – Green Gardening Fair & Spring Native Plant Sale (Tualatin Hills Nature Park, Beaverton)—Learn sustainable gardening techniques and choose from a wide variety of native trees, shrubs and perennials that will be for sale. For more information, click here.

April 28 (8:30am-5pm) & 29 (10am-5pm) – Oregon Ag Fest (Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem)—Ag Fest is an activity-filled festival where kids (and grown ups too!) can touch, taste and experience life on the farm. Includes a plant sale (plants are donated by OAN members). Cost: $9 (free for children 12 and under). For more information, click here.

April 28, 5:30-8:30pm – New Plant Introductions from Around the World, Cornell Farms (Portland)—Join an around the world adventure with renowned plant explorer Dan Hinkley and vicariously explore his garden. Learn about new plants brought to the marketplace through Monrovia nursery, where they originated, plant exploration, collection and trials. Event includes cocktails and appetizers, private shopping and book signing. Hinkley's Monrovia plant introductions especially brought in for this event will be 20% off this evening only. Cost: $35. Pre-registration by phone (503.292.9895) or in-store is required by April 20.

April 28-29, 10am-4pm – Portland Audubon Society Native Plant Sale (Portland)—Native plants and educational presentations for your yard. For more information, click here.

May 1-June 15, 9am-6pm – Adelman Peony Gardens (Salem)—Walk the fields to see heirloom and new varieties blooming.

May 5 (9am-5pm) & 6 (9am-4pm) – Spring Garden Fair (Clackamas County Master Gardeners), Canby Fairgrounds—More than 200 vendors, 10-minute University, a perennial favorite for timely garden topics, and much more. Cost: $3 (free for children under 16). For more information, click here.

May 5-June 3, dawn to dusk – Schreiner's Gardens Open Gardens (Salem)— Schreiner's is the nation's largest retail grower of Iris, with 200 acres in nearby fields and 10 acres of fabulous display gardens open to the public.

May 26, 10am-4pm – Inviting Vines V—a tour of private Lake Oswego-area gardens featuring clematis. Benefits the Rogerson Clematis Collection. Tickets on sale after April 15 at http://www.rogersonclematiscollection.org/.

CLASSES (unless noted, classes are free)



Photo from this Etsy site



For a complete list of classes and workshops, visit the Web sites of these Garden Centers & Nurseries:

Al's Garden Center (Gresham, Sherwood, Woodburn)
Bauman Farm & Garden (Gervais)
Cornell Farms (Portland)
Dennis' 7 Dees (Cedar Hills, Lake Oswego, Portland, Seaside)
Egan Gardens (Salem)
Farmington Gardens (Beaverton)
French Prairie Gardens (St. Paul)
Garden Fever! (Portland)
Garland Nursery (Corvallis)
Hughes Water Gardens (Wilsonville)
Joy Creek Nursery (Scappoose)
Oregon Garden, The (Silverton)
Portland Nursery (Portland)
Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)
Rogerson Clematis Collection (Lake Oswego)
Shonnard's Nursery/Florist/Landscape (Corvallis)
Smith Berry Barn (Hillsboro)
Terra Gardens Nursery & Bark (Salem)
Tsugawa Nursery (Woodland, Wash.)

April 12, 6pm – Supercharge Your Soil, Shonnard's Nursery, Florist & Landscape (Corvallis)—Transform you soil from "plain 'ole dirt" to fabulous soil. It's easy to have a healthy, bountiful garden! Please register here. Those in attendance will receive a FREE 6-quart bag of Gardner & Bloome Potting Soil to take home.

April 13, 10-11:30am – Miniature Garden Workshop, Cornell Farm (Portland)—A magical world of tiny and slow-growing plants is the foundation for miniature landscapes. Join designers as they showcase the best annuals, perennials and evergreens for sun or shade to shape your very own outdoor miniature garden. Plant your own combination of living greenery with rock or glass accents. Rustic fairy garden furniture and accessories are available to add. Cost: $25, which is applied to class purchases. Registration required by calling 503-292-9895 or visiting the store.

April 14 (11am) & 22 (1pm) – Growing Giant Pumpkins and Vegetables, Boring Square Gardens (28150 SE Highway 212, Boring)

April 14, 11am – Fairy Gardens, Mini Gardens & Mini-scapes, Dennis 7 Dees (Lake Oswego location)—Learn about this new, fun planting project. Class includes selection of containers, appropriate small plants to use (indoors or out), design ideas as well as care & Maintenance for your creations. Cost: $25 fee will be used toward your purchases for your project or towards purchasing a finished garden. Bring your own container, if you prefer. Register now; classes fill up quickly.

April 14, 1pm– Vertical Gardens, Garden Fever! (Portland)—Vertical gardening is grabbing attention on garden shows and blogs and in magazines. Vertical gardening expert Randy Raburn has created a simple and elegant wall-hanging planter to get you started with this new trend. If you have a spot in your garden or outdoor seating area with space restrictions, go up! Vertical gardens are living art. How-to lecture at 1pm; workshop at 1:30pm. Cost of workshop: purchase a vertical planter and plants (tools, soil and expert advice will be provided). Registration required by calling 503-287-3200.

April 15, 11am – Garden Design with Paul Taylor, Farmington Gardens (Beaverton)—Local garden designer Paul Taylor will share design ideas to improve your garden. He'll share his techniques of looking at garden making with fresh eyes and before and after photos of some projects. Make your design dreams come true with practical steps that work. Please call 503-649-4568, or email events staff with your name, phone number, and how many people will be attending.

April 17 (Sherwood location) & April 19 (Woodburn location), 4pm – Vegetable Gardening, Al's Garden Center—Attend this class and learn how to plant a vegetable garden. Grow your own veggies either in the ground, in raised beds, or even in pots. Lifelong farmer Jack Bigej, owner of Al's, will answer your growing questions from the garden to table and have you eating produce fresh from your own garden this summer.

April 21, 2pm – Planting Mixed Hanging Baskets, Egan Gardens (Salem)—Owner Ellen Egan will help you design and plant your own hanging basket. Learn what plants work well together in sunny or shady locations and how colorful foliage can play an important part in your design. Cost: materials used, approximately $35. Please pre-register by calling 503-393-2131.

April 21, 10am (Tsugawa Nursery, Woodland, Wash.) & April 22, 2pm (Garland Nursery, Corvallis) – Grow, Cook, Eat with Willi Galloway—An author, radio spokesperson and blogger, Willi will share what she loves best: ideas that make growing food simple, productive, and fun. Space and lack of experience should not be a limitation in gardening. Space is limited at Tsugawa's so please register ahead online at www.tsugawanursery.com/events.htm or call (360) 225-8750.
April 22, 1pm – Pondless Waterfalls & Creeks, Hughes Water Gardens (Wilsonville)

April 22, 1-2:30pm – Introduction to Growing Mushrooms, Portland Nursery (Division Street location)— Ed Foy and Tony Migas of the Oregon Mycological Society will share tips and techniques for how to grow many different types of mushrooms in the comfort of your own home and garden. Starter kits and plug spawn will be available for purchase. Properly cared for, these kits can provide years of fungal fun. (Pre-order to make sure you get the ones you want by contacting Tony Migas (thefungi@comcast.net or phone/fax 360-576-8520). Register here. (Note: A small film crew will be filming portions of the class for Ecotrust's Oregon Mushroom Stories project.)

April 29, 11am – Planting Your Pond with Aquatic Plants, Hughes Water Gardens (Wilsonville)

April 29, 1pm – Rhododendrons, Joy Creek Nursery (Scappoose)—Learn about the tremendous diversity within the genus Rhododendron. Mike Stewart, owner of Dover Nursery, a wholesale Rhododendron nursery, will share the range of structure, size, and leaf forms that this plant family offers. Come see a selection of unique, exotic and new introductions.

May 6, 11am – Shade Gardening, Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)—Do you need help turning a shady area into a lush and beautiful garden? Help is on the way. Learn about shade garden design and plant selection. Cost: $10. Reservations required by calling 503-684-8502.

May 6, 1pm – Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Portland Nursery (Stark Street location)—Discover the secrets to growing bountiful tomatoes in Oregon. Join Tracy Tuner, Westwind Gardens, to learn everything you ever wanted to know about tomatoes, including planting times, cultural requirements, fertilizing needs, watering systems, and much more. Register here.

May 12, 1pm – Garden Gems with Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries, The Oregon Garden (Silverton)

May 14, 10am – Berries for the Home Garden, Smith Berry Barn (Hillsboro)—Owner Rich Hilder will focus on how to grow the best varieties of berries in your own backyard with expert advice on growing, maintaining and harvesting to ensure an abundant supply of berries year after year. Farm tour and demonstrations included. Each participant receives 20% off all berry plants on day of class.

Earth Laughs with Flowers

Leaves of Cyclamen ‘Something Magic’
mimic a mini Christmas Tree while
its bright pink blooms thrill Feb.-Mar.

“Earth laughs with flowers” is a frequently quoted line in a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It resonates with gardeners and is emblematic of spring. Along those lines, I recently watched a PBS program about Amish communities and their strong faith. One of the first spoken sentences in the program was: “We are closest to God when we work the earth.” Both sentiments reflect what gardening means to me: connecting to the vibrant energy of Mother Earth.

I was visiting Terra Nova Nurseries, Canby, Ore., and I wanted to see how the “earth was laughing” in their beautiful display garden. In spite of our cooler than normal late winter, there was a lot to see; all of which would add late winter garden interest that could be visually enjoyed through a window from the warmth of our homes . In particular, the hellebores were stunning, the cyclamen were little bursts of joy with leaves and flowers adding interest to the ground level of the garden, and the Pulmonaria were sparkling. In addition to the floral candidates, Corydalis, Bergenia and Huechera added textural leaf interest and color, either with newly emerging leaves or leaves remaining from last year. And Sedum ‘Pool Party’ transformed rainwater into little gems, accentuating soft green, fleshy mounds of leaves.


Hellebore hybrid ‘Honeyhill Joy’
has subtle flowers but creates a big impact

One, three, or swaths of any of these would be exceptional in our Northwest gardens. Dave Doolittle, Terra Nova’s marketing director, went so far as to say, “If I had to pick one plant to start a garden, it would be ‘Honeyhill Joy’ hellebore.” After seeing it in the display garden, I’d have to agree. All photos were taken March 16, 2012. 




The flowers of Sedum ‘Pool Party’
appear July as large flat clusters of
pink and last through Oct.

Not sure why this pulmonaria is called
‘Trevi Fountain’ unless it’s because its bright
blue flowers and spotted leavers are over-the-top

The result of Terra Nova’s breeding
program, hellebore ‘Hot Flash’
has unusual late-blooming flower
color and stamens and also offers
serrated leaves for texture

The “crisp” series of heuchera
showcases ruffled foliage



Cymbalaria ‘Snow Wave’, the
first variegated Kenilworth ivy,
is planted with Cyclamen ‘Sweetheart Sparkle’
and its dramatically-shaped leaves
(it blooms Aug.-Nov.)



Scott Christy, sale manager for Terra Nova
Nurseries and an exceptional gardener in his
own right, recommends under planting
dark-petaled hellebores like ‘London Fog’
with white crocus or other white
early-blooming small bulbs so they
stand out in the garden





A World Wonder

To commemorate the first days of spring, The Garden Corner, a unique garden center located in Tualatin, Ore., unveiled what is likely the world’s largest free-standing hanging basket. It tops off at 16 feet tall with a width of 10 feet. The basket alone weighs 2 tons. To put that in perspective, Oregon Zoo's resident elephant, Samudra, weighs just less than 2 tons.

The wrought iron hanging basket is locally manufactured by Don Sprague of Garden Gallery Iron Works (you can see smaller-scale creations at his store in the Woodburn Company Stores mall, Woodburn, Ore.).

The basket will be displayed at The Garden Corner year round. Stop by and take a look. Its contents will change with the seasons. Look for annuals and bulbs in the spring, cascading blooms mixed with edibles in the summer, and showy evergreens for winter interest all season long.

“Creating hanging baskets is our passion. It is our passion to create the smallest, largest, quirkiest, most exciting, most daring, most calming, and most personal hanging basket for every place and occasion imaginable...and unimaginable. The world’s largest is just an extension of ourselves,” says Jonn Karsseboom, The Garden Corner owner. “We have such a wonderful climate in the Pacific Northwest and it allows us to grow the most amazing plants in hanging baskets.”

Planting the Seeds for Better Mental Health

From GPN Weekly, an online greenhouse trade e-newsletter – Feb. 27, 2012

We’ve always known that gardening is a healthy hobby. Gardeners can get plenty of fresh air and exercise to help maintain their physical health while getting their hands dirty and beautifying their backyards. But gardening is also good for one’s mental health too.

istockphoto

Over the years, scientists have learned that gardening is a relaxing activity that can help calm the nerves. Experts have found that gardening can reduce the amount of cortisol a person has. Cortisol is a hormone that at increased levels will increase a person’s stress.

Now experts are trying to find out if gardening can be used as therapy to actually treat mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.

According to an article in the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, a study done last year at a juvenile rehabilitation center in Ohio found that kids in the gardening program had a higher self-esteem and could manage their emotional and behavioral problems better. And most of the kids in the program said they would continue to garden after they left the program.

So spread the word. Let others know that growing healthy plants can help grow healthy minds also!

Plants are More than Just Pretty

California Redwoods

Is it just me, or is awareness of the importance of plants escalating? We now have a movie telling the story of The Lorax and the importance of trees. It’s something young people can embrace (and probably more than a few adults, too). Heaven knows we want to find enjoyable ways for kids to start getting their hands in the soil and engaging with the great outdoors. While in Chicago for a few days of vacation—and before I was aware there was a Lorax movie—I saw a teen girl sporting a large, fake, yellow mustache and wondered, “What the heck?” Now I know. Maybe we’ll see an upsurge in the planting of trees!


We also have some crazy videos arriving on the scene that celebrate the fact that “plants are more than just pretty.” Check out videos of Exhibit A, Exhibit L and Exhibit P. The whole campaign is geared toward helping people understand the value of plants, from stopping crime to cleaning the air. Help spread the word!

O magazine ran a story in the April issue on Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin and his connection to nature. He is replanting the acres around his home and repairing its delicate ecosystem. His story reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books: The Man Who Planted Trees by French author Jean Giono, originally published in 1953. It tells the fictional story of one shepherd's long and successful single-handed effort to re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps in Provence. Streams and wildlife return because of his efforts.

And on a somber yet hopeful note, we have a tribute that living things have power beyond words. Potted plants—28,000 of them—were used to commemorate the closing of a mental health facility in Massachusetts. As shared in an online trade publication: “Artist Anna Schuliet took on the commission of creating a memorial to the Massachusetts facility, and she did it by filling every square foot of the empty building with potted flowers. Read the story and see the striking photos here.”

April celebrates Arbor Day and Earth Day. Celebrate plants and the beauty and resilience of our Earth every day!

Favorite (YGP) Things – Part 2

The 2012 Yard, Garden & Patio Show seems like a distant memory, but there were a lot of ideas at the show that I thought worthy of sharing. (Click here to read Part 1.)

In no particular order...

A Great Plant Picks, Nandina domestica ‘Moon Bay’ lit up several displays with its intense orangey-red winter leaves including the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) winter interest display, a fixture at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show.

I was intrigued by these copper panels created by Portland area landscape architect Larry Cavender. I really liked the shape, patina and possibilities.

Landscape designer Paul Taylor created an engaging garden vignette that is easily imagined installed in a home garden. Every year, he finds the work of interesting artists to incorporate into his designs. He outdid himself this year.

Patrick Gracewood’s St. Francis appeared in the last year’s YGP show, but I never tire of it. In fact, I’ve made a not-so-secret wish that one day it will appear in my garden. This year, I found it in landscape designer Pamela Kill’s garden vignette.

I love this little vignette found in the Dennis’ 7 Dees booth (they are the presenting sponsor of the Yard, Garden & Patio Show) with its brightly painted furniture, color palette and mix of plants and hard goods.

Versailles Gardens & Interiors imports pottery from France. These examples, found appropriately enough at the entrance to the French-style showcase garden, beckoned visitors into the garden’s courtyard. The lanterns manage to be sophisticated and rustic at the same time and the color of the glaze adds elegance. I imagine the cutwork design would cast lovely evening shadows...

Also in the French-inspired garden designed and constructed by L Meyer Design and J. P. Stone Contractors, was this table decoration. Charming in its simplicity, picture a convivial gathering of friends and family enjoying a robust meal at the table.

Izzy Baptista, Lapis Lazuli Tile & Garden Design, created the garden’s design and hand-painted these traditional Portuguese tiles based on 16th century designs (she studied with a Portuguese tile master). The garden was constructed by PGM Landscape. Portugal is one of my “bucket list” places to travel. I can imagine myself there already...

The English garden designed and created by Aspen Creek Landscaping, was formal by nature, but they added elements of inspired whimsy. My favorite whimsical touch was artist Michelle Gallagher’s garden-head-with-the-Mona-Lisa-smile as a pillar finial; but then again, I have a bronze raven-with-a-party-hat sculpture next to my front door. It’s a good reminder that gardens shouldn’t take themselves too seriously.

The Zen garden designed by Iftikhar Ahmed, Treeline Designz, and built by Baseline Landscapes incorporated sculpture throughout. This bamboo sculpture and the pale green Buddha created with recycled glass (in the background) were particularly intriguing and helped create the juxtaposition of contemporary style with traditional design elements.