Tag Archives: Gardens of the World

Table Rock Hikes: 2016

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Table Rock.jpgThe Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Medford District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are sponsoring free guided hikes at the Table Rocks.

Hikes are FREE but reservations are required. Space is limited. Register online (link follows the info for each hike) or call the Medford District BLM at 541.618.2200, M-F 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Hikes are 3-5 miles roundtrip along a moderate grade trail and generally last 3-5 hours. Dress for the weather and bring drinking water (none is available at the site) and lunch or a snack. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. No dogs, mountain bikes or OHVs are allowed on the trail.

  • Early Wildflowers – Saturday, April 9, 9:00 am – Upper Table Rock:  Marcia Wineteer, botanist at the BLM will lead a hike to explore and enjoy the valley’s beautiful native flora and wildflowers of Table Rocks. Limited to 15 individuals.     http://earlywildflowers.eventbrite.com
  • Wildflowers Abound – Sunday, April 10, 9:00 am – Lower Table Rock:  Barbara Mumblo, botanist emeritus with the U.S. Forest Service, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and member of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, will lead a hike to discover the dazzling array of wildflowers found on the Table Rocks.     http://wildflowersabound.eventbrite.com
  • Spring in Bloom – Sunday, April 17, 9:00 am – Upper Table Rock:   Join Chamise Kramer, avid botanist and Public Affairs Specialist with the Rogue River National Forest, and Molly Allen, BLM Environmental Educator, to explore the valley’s beautiful native flora, wildflowers, and natural history of the Table Rocks.     http://springinbloom.eventbrite.com
  • Nature on the Rocks – Celebrating 30 Years of Environmental Education – Saturday, April 30, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Lower Table Rock:  Join us for a fun filled day of activities, hikes, and interactive displays suitable for the entire family. Help us celebrate 30 years of successful community engagement and education on the Table Rocks.  Public event, open to all. Please consider carpooling as parking is limited. A shuttle will be offered from Sam’s Valley Elementary parking area to the Lower Table Rock trail throughout the day.  NO REGISTRATION NEEDED.
  • Beautiful Butterflies & Incredible Insects – Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am – Lower Table Rock:  Dr. Peter Schroeder, Entomologist and Affiliate Professor of Biology at Southern Oregon University, will lead a hike to observe and discuss the beautiful butterflies and other incredible insects that live on or flutter by the Table Rocks. On this hike, Peter will help you gain a deeper appreciation for how butterflies and other insects live and their essential role in the environment.     http://beautifulbutterflies.eventbrite.com
  • Powerful Pollinators – Sunday, May 15, 10:00 am – Upper Table Rock:  Find out what all the buzz is about by joining Sarah Red-Laird, a.k.a. Bee Girl, who will explain why pollination is essential for our survival. On this family-friendly hike learn about the birds and the bees and their relationship with the wildflowers and trees that produce a rainbow of colors on the Table Rocks. Limited to 15 individuals.     http://powerfulpollinators.eventbrite.com

Thank you for helping us get the word out about these fun, family friendly hikes at the Table Rocks!

CONTACT: Kathleen Kudo – sworegon@tnc.org

View the full hike schedules: TableRockHikes2016.eventbrite.com

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Nan Quick’s Diaries for Armchair Travelers

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All-
My newest travel article,
A WELL-SPENT WEEK IN SOUTHERN DEVON, PART ONE
has just been published. Here’s the link:
Nan Quick 
Nan Quick’s Diaries for Armchair Travelers

Garden of the Month: August 2015

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The garden at 973 C Street, owned by John Price and Erin Keller, was a blank site following the home’s construction in 2009.  The next year, retaining walls and fences were built, with plantings beginning shortly thereafter – all designed and built by the owners.

Passing through a beautiful front gate leading into the garden, past dahlias and zinnias, one can see vine covered arbors. These add interest and dimension to an ordinary lot. Two of the arbors are covered in two species of Kiwi. In addition to peach, pear, plum, fig, and apple trees, the garden also features Rudbeckia laciniata, hazelnut, honeysuckle, and Cornelian Cherry.

Succulents and drought tolerant plants grow as a green roof on the back shed at the end of the driveway. As the owners stated, “The green roofed woodshed just seemed like a fun thing to do. Actually most of it was fun!”

A blueberry hedge growing along the east fence was successfully planted over a buried wood swale. This has proven beneficial in helping the soil retain much needed moisture. In fact, permaculture principals dominated much of the design, with beauty, food production, and privacy playing a key role. I think you’ll agree John and Erin have succeeded and have provided the community with a lovely example of what can be done with a simple, empty space.

Garden of the Month: August 2014

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Tim and Kathy Simonsen established their garden in 2006.  The front of the house was uninteresting so they added a wide craftsman style 1133 Beswick Waycovered porch. This just invites you to sit down in the comfortable rockers and enjoy the view. Two hanging baskets of red geraniums adorn the porch and two large pots with sweet potato vine and some other greenery bracket the stairs.

Ken Cobb designed and installed the compact flowing garden.  First he removed junipers, ivy and St. John’s Wort. Then he designed a wide curving walkway out of tan colored stamped concrete with a few steps. This separates the upper garden from the lower area. Next the Simonsen’s wanted a large water feature; and after looking for just the right boulder Ken built the waterfall to the left of the stairs. The birds love to stop by for a drink and sit to enjoy the melodious sounds.The pond is kept full with a couple of “drippers” with the irrigation system.

The upper terrace has Pieris Japonica, Gold Mound Spirea, a Japanese Maple, Heavenly Bamboo, a Mugo pine, a Japanese Maple and Scotch Moss.

Below the path is Blue Star Creeper with a small swath of green lawn at the owners request. Mugo pines, Yellow Twig dogwood, Red Twig dogwood, a Strawberry Tree and three more Japanese maples with Phlox, Wooly Thyme and Kinnikinnick fill in the lower terrace. The mature garden is now a very natural and interesting place. The low maintenance garden does require pruning, weeding and shaping two or three times a year to keep it looking it’s best.

Tim and Kathy have a lovely hillside garden to enjoy and share with the many walkers who stop to admire and chat.

Submitted by: Karen O’Rourke