A Very Special Garden

To be invited to the garden of Maurice, my boss and nursery owner of Joy Creek Nursery, and his partner's 10-acre garden is an invitation to swoon. Even though we're all good friends at the nursery, we rarely visit one another's gardens because, well, we're busy with our own. However, on this occasion we all took time to have a socially distanced after-work wandering and enjoy a warm summer's evening in a magnificent setting. The gardens are vast and varying, from formal clipped hedges to wild areas barely touched by the skilled hands of its two very accomplished gardeners. I give you a tiny glimpse into this overwhelming and breathtaking landscape, tucked into Sauvie Island between open fields of camas, ancient trees, vast waterways and big sky.


The heart of the garden with clipped hedges of box honeysuckle and towering yews and cypress. The formality here gradually dissolves into wide-open, natural spaces, lovingly tended to by two compassionate gardeners who wish to preserve the natural wildness of what this land once was.


A recently created fern berm was the result of having to remove several old poplars. One of the trunks can be seen here covered in Clematis heracleifolia 'Mrs. Robert Bryodon', while discs of the felled trees make up the foundations for the rest of this new area that have soil and plants tucked in between the discs. The idea is, of course, the wood will decompose in time while ferns and mosses take over. The wood is kept on the property to allow nature to do its thing.


Many Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' in the garden add a tickle at your ankles.


 Fuchsia magellanica 'Aurea'. Not surprising to see hardy Fuchsias here as we grow so many at Joy Creek Nursery.


Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double'


The entrance to their home, the staircase adorned with Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'.


One very rustic outbuilding near the parking area.


 In a different area, the evening sun can be enjoyed with an Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' behind.


Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' trunk.


 Moving down towards the southern edge of the property, one of a few incredible garden islands in a sea of field grass. These beds are made up of trees, large and small shrubs, clumping grasses, perennials and low-growing plants - in other words, a very diverse grouping to give them year-round appeal and interest. They hide views beyond, adding layers and intrigue. The grass, you will note, is turning brown, as is all grass in this region in late summer. It goes dormant, ours does too. In a few weeks when the rains return it will be green and lush once more.


The further from the house you go, the wilder it becomes with native Oregon white oak, Quercus garryana, Acer macrophyllum and others. Very little mark of humans here, other than the gate and George's skillful mowing of paths, creating direction and encouraging exploration of the wilder areas.

Lupines in the grasses and wild areas beyond.


There are many inviting areas to take a seat and soak it all in. This is one of many under majestic trees.


More of George's mown paths, guiding and encouraging you to explore beyond the edges of what the eye can see.


Another seating area with a very formal milk crate table.


Tetrapanax papyrifer 


  Arctostaphylos 'Knobcone Point'


 Dahlia ‘Forncett’s Furnace.’ Flowers are not abundant in these gardens, foliage is the primary element but the flowers that are here make quite a statement.


A shady spot for a birdbath primarily used by honeybees. Maurice has told me on several occasions that the bees really do seek out water in shady areas in hot weather, if you are so inclined to provide habitat for wildlife, a shady water spot is helpful.


 Yucca rostrata - an example of spiky texture, of which there was a lot. I just had to whittle down the photos or this post would be overwhelming.


 The center of the garden nearest the house from a different perspective.


Simple seating with hand-made cushions by my friend and fellow Joy Creeker Ricki of the blog Sprig to Twig. She's multi-talented.


 More seating near the house in the form of ceramic garden stools.


A view towards the north with Italian cypress and honeybee hives in the background.


A small bit of the courtyard and seating areas.


Nicotiana sylvestris in a border


The new fences around the vegetable garden.


A wider shot at the vegetable garden. As they don't have deer fences around the 10-acre garden in general, they need a bit of protection from the many deer in the area. Don't mess with the kale. The deer and other wildlife are free to roam the rest of the garden, Maurice and George welcome creatures big and small.


Texture and shades of green.


Flowing exuberance in the form of grasses and Clematis.


 Beautifully mossy sculpture blends into this shady part of the garden.


Honeybee hives on the property, tended to by an expert who leases a bit of land from Maurice and George. Sunchokes and bamboo in the background.


 Helenium 'Tijuana Brass' and mossy shingles.

There's the man himself with their pup Rikki looking on in admiration (ok, Maurice had whipped cream on his plate).


Thank you, Maurice and George, for an evening out, the first one in months and a very special one at that. Your land is so loved and well-tended, the gardens swept me away at every turn. The balance of wild and worked is just right, it makes you want to linger forever, which is the point of a garden.

Thank you, and Happy Birthday, Maurice!

That's a wrap for this week at Chickadee Gardens. I hope you've enjoyed a different perspective instead of my old garden over and over. I know we certainly did. Thank you for reading and happy gardening!


Comments

  1. Anonymous10:58 AM PDT

    Beautifully written and presented. You fully captured the spirit of the place.
    rickii

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  2. What an incredible place! I am always on the Joy Creek site, so it's nice to know the people and place behind it!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your support of Joy Creek, too, by the way ;)

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  3. You weren't kidding - that garden's swoon-worthy to be sure! Thanks for taking us along on your visit. I love that Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn'. My Arbutus 'Marina' shares that lovely red bark but it doesn't do gymnastics with its branches. I enjoyed the reference to the Deer Correctional Facility too.

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    1. Woo hoo! I'm glad you think so. That arcto is divine. It steals the show in that part of the garden. Gymnastics with the branches, I'm going to steal that. Oh, those signs George had made as a gift for Maurice. Too funny!

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  4. Wow, I can see why you had so many photos to share. I am glad that you did. I think I am in love with 'Howard McMinn". :)

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    1. Woo hoo! Howie steals the show again. I had over 700 photos I had to whittle down. But it was a fun task.

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  5. Lucky you! What a fun outing and what a fabulous garden. I love the rock work and all the details. The rock work is really well done and the yews and cypress really make a statement. I have a small 'Howard McMinn.' Sadly he won't be able to do gymnastics in my much smaller garden. Thank you for the lovely pictures.

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    1. I know, lucky me is right! It's so lovely, Grace, I hope you have a chance to see it someday. I particularly like the yews and cypress in this garden, they are really well-presented.

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  6. What a special treat to be able to wander through such a beautiful place. I might steal the 'Deer Correctional Facility' sign for my garden. Deer be warned. Glad your first day out was to such a special place.

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    1. It was a special treat, I feel particularly blessed. That Deer Correctional Facility sign is to die for! George had it made as a gift for Maurice. Good stuff!

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  7. Beautiful post, T! I think we took a lot of the same photos, but your presentation of them is magnificent. We are lucky to get to experience this fabulous garden now and then. <3

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    1. Aw, thank you Anna Bean! I'd love to see your post..maybe one day soon? Hint hint...we are lucky indeed.

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  8. WOW! What a beautiful space made even more lovely by your photography. Thanks for taking us along!

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Danger! You are so welcome! Did you see it at the fern event for HPSO by chance?

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  9. There is so much to take in here it can be overwhelming .. but I felt a connection with plants I share with these amazing gardeners .. to cultivate those spaced that will naturally be consumed by the plants as the wood breaks down is wonderful .. I am such a grass and moss fan.
    The aspects and prospects of each area keeps tugging for a viewer's attention .. absolutely gorgeous .. to see the sun set there would be such a treat .. perfect pictures ! well done ;-)

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    1. There is so much to take in, I'm so glad you felt that connection that I too felt.

      I too appreciate the idea of leaving the poplar pieces to decompose, it seems appropriate. In time it will change and that's by design.


      The aspects are amazing, this has been a well-considered and thoughtfully created paradise. Thank you thank you for your kind comments. Cheers!

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  10. Beautifully written and inspiring. There's been a lot of love and care placed in the garden, but the humor of the Deer Coorectional Facilities caught my humorous bone! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much, Molly Bee! There is a lot of love and care here, well-said.

      The sign is fantastic, I too laughed out loud. Cheers and thanks for your comments!

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  11. Great tour of an amazing garden! That 'Howard McMinn' is swoon-worthy! 10 acres is mind-boggling. I'm struggling just with the 2.5 acres inside our deer fence. We hardly touch the other 2.5 acres.

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    1. Thank you, Evan. Yes, the Arcto is magnificent! Stay well, my friend.

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  12. A real treat to see this elegant garden via your excellent photos. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Hoover Boo. Much appreciated! :)

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  13. What an exquisite garden!So wonderful to see! Judy London

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    1. Thank you Judy! Thank you for your comments and for reading. Cheers!

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  14. Very lovely gardens, but (whispers), I much prefer yours! My Joy Creek herbs are going strong 6 years after purchase.

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    1. Ah, thank you Lisa, you are so sweet. I"m thrilled your Joy Creek herbs are going strong! Yaaay! :)

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