Fling 2014: Cistus Nursery

Before we went to Portland we already knew of the reputation of Cistus nursery, so getting to visit whist on the Fling was something we were particularly looking forward to. Cistus is a dream location for anyone interested in the usual, the unique and interesting with plants from all over the globe, such as these fabulous field grown yuccas.

Mark and I were fortunate to visit the nursery a couple of extra times whilst in Portland, so many of the photos in the post were taken when the nursery was quieter rather than packed with a coach load of fellow bloggers.

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Fling 2014: Danger Garden

Several months have passed since our trip to West Coast USA for the Portland Bloggers Fling and we are still only part way though all the posts we wanted to write. However it time to have a virtual trip back to Portland and the summer of 2014, with a visit to Loree's Danger Garden.

Of all the gardens and attractions on the agenda, this was the one we were looking forward to the most. Danger Garden was one of the blogs we discovered in our first days of blogging so have followed the gardens evolution for several years. Loree also visited our garden back in 2012 and we promised to make the return visit, so it was extremely fortuitous when Portland was selected for the fling.

The front garden is given over to a gravel garden packed with succulents, a pathway cuts across the garden at an angle to the front door. 

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A Seductive Garden

Okay, we're lagging way behind with our Portland Garden Blogger's Fling posts. We still have lots to catch up on and the remaining gardens will feature in the next few days.

Rather than sticking with our previous format I've decided to veer off from it and present this garden in a different way.

Bella Madrona - the last stop on the fling itinerary and where the 2014 edition was wrapped up with farewell drinks and canapes. You can read more about this garden and the take of other fling attendees on their own page at the fling blog.

Whimsical, mysterious, magical, quirky, eclectic are the adjectives that are usually associated with this garden. And beautiful too of course. But I'll have to add to the list the word seductive.

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Fling 2014: Portland Japanese Garden

After a break from Fling posts, it felt like a good time to come back to our fabulous trip to Portland. Its hard to believe it that its almost two months since our trip. Looking back through the photos brings everything back to life again.

The garden is coming up to its 50th anniversary, having opened in 1967 on the former site of a zoo. When we arrived Mark and I, along with Gerhard took off in a slightly different direction to many of our fellow bloggers, which possibly allowed us a less hectic visit. As a garden I could have spent most of a day here, I really enjoyed the space, the tranquillity and verdant backdrop.

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Fling 2014: McMenamins Kennedy School

After visiting Loree's Garden (which will come up later on), we made the fairly short walk to Kennedy School, which is a former elementary school in Portland. After closing as a school in 1975, it was boarded up and sat unloved for 20 years until McMenamins took it on to create an "adult playground", complete with bars, swimming pool, entertainment venues etc. However we were there for the gardens rather than the entertainment - although we did stay behind for a pint in the basement bar.

We began the tour on the front lawn, with an talk about the history of the planting and the approach they have taken.

Very little existed in the way of planting when McMenamins took on the building, just a handful of trees, most of which are still there today.

Bloggers exploring the gardens

A new xeric bed has recently been added, which looks like it may need a little more time to settle in.

Public planting in the UK rarely is as interesting, this certainly beats the typical bedding displays and conifers you get round most hotels or pubs.

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus

Whilst the planting lacked the personal touch of the various blogger and personal gardens we visited it really was great to see a what was in effect public planting using so many interesting plants. 

Gaz

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Fling 2014: Chickadee Gardens

One of the highlights of the Garden Bloggers Fling was to visit the gardens of fellow bloggers. This can be a strange experience as sometimes the layout of the garden or the size and perspective of the garden is different in ones mind to the actual garden. Chickadee Gardens is just five years old, although the garden feels much more established than that. Tamara grows a wide range of natives and maintains an environmentally friendly garden, that has been certified by the Backyard Habitat Certification Program.

Tamara's home is unusual compared to the neighbours, having a more 'Spanish' feel which combined with the planting, blue skies and garden decor created a wonderful place to escape.

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Fling 2014: JJ De Sousa

I thought about how best to cover the fling, should we cover it chronologically, by location, type, by day, or even by colour? In the end we thought we would dip in and out of the various gardens, not having a plan as such but posting about the gardens and locations as the mood takes us. Perhaps something will remind us of a garden and so we will cover it. We are not going to set any goals, we may not end up covering them all, or perhaps it will take us up to the Fling in 2015 before we get to the end.

So without further ado the first garden to share is the garden of JJ De Sousa, garden designer and proprietor of Digs, an eclectic shop selling a wide range of interesting home and garden accessories. Sadly we didn't get to visit the shop too.

The garden wraps around the home, which is centred in the middle of a 77'x127' lot. 

You enter the garden via an orange gate of carrots. Well why wouldn't the gate be carrots! Which gives the first clue as to the favourite colour of JJ!

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