What can this meditative garden teach you? Portland, OR

 This meditative garden is part of my apartment complex in Portland, Oregon. It is an enclosed garden, by our lobby, that every apartment member has access to. Yet it is a garden with few visitors. I can also see this wonderfully calming view from the windows of my apartment and I particularly like to view it at night as the whole garden is illuminated with warm lights. There are specific elements of this kind of garden that make sure it is relaxing and meditative in my opinion. The garden was definitely designed with the use of a few Japanese and Zen like elements

First of all there are not many plants. In fact, I just count three types of plantings and one variety of tree. It is amazing that so few plants in such a large space can have that much impact. One plant that adds an intoxicating fragrance is the Jasmine vine that produces dainty white flowers and glossy leaves. The vine covers the wood panel wall of the garden, and is a great focal point. 

 As far as colors, there is only a palate of green and white. It makes perfect sense to me only have two colors in this type of garden. White and green are subdued colors that do not cause the eyes to strain or cause the eye to dart from one end of the garden to the other.

The only color in the garden is from this white fragrant vine

Here you can see the blade like grass I was talking about. I don't think it flowers, but if it does I think it would be another white flower. plant. You may also notice that there is wood bench seating that runs the entire length of the focal wall underneath the jasmine.

 

In this photo you see one of the four trees, all the same variety.  Its leaves are falling in the middle of the summer because it has been so hot and probably not watered enough.

The trees are planted in the same large concrete pots that give the garden a modern industrial look along with its zen like principles. Just right for or a garden in a big urban city. The concept of repetition is reflected in the design of the concrete floor and reminds me of the movement of water. The garden has a open roof design and is also protected from the elements  with two large glass walls and a  wooden plank wall.

 

 

The photo below is the view at night from my apartment. At night the garden is glowing from the warm light. Viewing the garden before I go to sleep calms my mind that I can get all the rest I really need. I think we can all use this garden as inspiration in our own. Living in our big country we seem to want to over complicate our gardens with lots of plants and lots of color when we might make a bigger impact by using the concept of less. Less plants, less color, less variety. I am sure you have some ideas of how less can improve your garden.

 

 

Maine Cottage Garden in August

 It’s been some time since we last showcased this cottage garden in Maine. So here is a tour taken in august 2021 when the hydrangeas are in bloom. 

                                   You’ll see nasturtiums and dusty millar

                                  Ivy, petunias, lobelia, alyssum, and pansies 

                                             Hydrangeas and hostas

                                       Containers of all shapes and sizes 

                                                    A wooden swan

                                        Geraniums and begonias

                                              Trellises and Bird houses

                                              Marigolds and zinnias

Rudbeckia in full bloom 

All surrounding a lovely pond and fountain. 

Flowers Around Town: Woodstock, Vermont

On a recent day trip to Woodstock, Vermont I noticed the lovely window boxes and containers around the village. I think the baskets of pansies are my favorite, but it is difficult to pick as all are unique and lovely. 

Downtown Portland OR gets a big splash of color

 After a rough year or so of dealing with n going protests and a growing homeless population in the middle of a deadly pandemic it was nice to see a bit of the old, vibrant Portland emerge with the addition of this pretty addition of large flower planters and hanging baskets.

Pretty large planters

Beautiful hanging baskets

West Elm Store

China Town

Perennial Food Garden

 2021 weather in Maine battered our gardens.  Spring and early summer were dry, followed by seemingly endless rain through July. Rain continues to threaten with more in the forecast. While other gardeners struggled with such challenges, this year I did not plant any vegetables.  Why? Recent years have not produced enough to make my efforts worthwhile, most likely due to my ever-growing forest casting shade on my garden beds.  

Instead, I’ve been planting food-producing perennials and so far this year it has been a success. I have elderberry, blackberry, raspberry, rhubarb, Jerusalem artichoke, various herbs, Egyptian walking onions, strawberries, and chives.  All return year after year and don’t seem to mind growing in partial shade. I’m also exploring wildcrafting those edible treasures which grow willingly around the property with no help from me. 

Winter Window Boxes with Dusty Miller

 It's been a fairly mild winter in Maine so far. We've had some snow but it has been short-lived and only patches remain here and there now. I'm sure with three months of winter to go, we will see our share of snow. 

I want to show you my mother's winter window boxes. I am so surprised that Dusty Miller hasn't died back yet. Dusty Miller is usually an annual in our area, but as you can see, it's survived at her house this year. 

Dusty Miller is hardy in USDA zones 8-10 so we shall see if it survives winter in zone 5. 

In addition to Dusty Miller, Mom used pine boughs and faux poinsettias in her winter window boxes. 

A grapevine wreath, birdhouse, and ceramic cardinal add interest to this window box.