Garden of the Month: August 2021

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Ashland Garden Club

House of Thai – 1667 Siskiyou Blvd

The August 2021 Garden of the Month from the Ashland Garden Club is the front of the House of Thai restaurant at 1667 Siskiyou Blvd. The restaurant opened in May of 1989, after remodeling the building and starting the garden.

In the mid 80’s, Jit Kanchanakaset, a single mother of five came to Ashland in search of a safe, peaceful life her for family. A strong-willed, energetic, and hardworking woman, she recruited her kids to help establish the eatery, and then later its garden.

Ten years later, she met and married Phil Crompton. They spent much of their time doing what they enjoyed most, gardening and giving back to the village in Buriram, Thailand where she grew up, by donating to schools, hospitals, and underprivileged families. Jit passed on in April 2020.

The garden has evolved over time with gradual improvements. There are large, well-established ponderosa pines along the eastern edge. Gorgeous rhododendrons bloom beneath the pines in May. Much smaller crepe myrtle trees line the western edge and bloom in August. In between are a small fishpond and waterfall that were constructed by the contractor who was remodeling the building. Blue herons have been known to visit the pond, hoping to catch the elusive fish. Also there is a small lawn, plus a stunning Buddhist shrine.

The colorful concrete and steel shrine, said to weigh 1000 pounds, was installed a little more than twenty years ago. Jit’s legacy lives on through her family as they continue her traditions while carrying on the restaurant. The family and staff offer respect to the shrine every Friday morning, honoring the house spirits and summoning goodwill.

Article by: Ruth Sloan, AGC Garden of the Month Committee Chair

Photos by Larry Rosengren.

Today in the Garden: August 4, 2021

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Ashland Garden Club

Flowers & Photo by Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Today in the Garden: July 29, 2021

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Ashland Garden Club

Despite high temperatures and local drought conditions, these fabulous flowers are on display in our landscape. ~Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member

July 2021; Garden of the Month

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Ashland Garden Club

1023 Linda Avenue:

The fascinating garden at 1023 Linda Avenue is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for July. Owner Sandra Archibald is completely responsible for this garden, including design and maintenance. She does have a guy who mows the shrinking lawn in the back and helps with cleanup in the Fall.

The most remarkable feature of this garden is the living fence of weeping blue atlas cedar that Sandra planted in the northeast corner of the property a year or two after moving in late in 2007 and has trained along the deer fence since then, protecting her raised planting beds and the rest of the yard. She designed the curving paver paths and trellis along the front of the house. There are more curved paths and walls she designed in back as well as a charming gate and peaceful Japanese garden section.

This is her favorite time of year in the garden with coreopsis and poppies putting on a grand display. In Spring, large established iberris plants make a nice show against the conifers. Other times echinacea is a standout. As the back garden has become shadier over the years, she has added mini-hostas and plans to add more conifers since discovering the fabulous variety at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. She loves the Japanese forest grass she has in pots because it’s always beautiful, even when it dries out annually.

Sandra urges persistence in the garden. She adapts readily to the changing environment, trying things and sometimes moving and replacing plants that don’t thrive. She averages at least ten hours per week working in her garden all seasons except Winter. Her hard work and creativity are evident.