Despite high temperatures and local drought conditions, these fabulous flowers are on display in our landscape. ~Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member
Today in the Garden: July 29, 2021
Tag Archives: Gardens of the World
July 2021; Garden of the Month
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.
Article by: Ruth Sloan, AGC Garden of the Month Chairman. (Thanks Kaaren Anderson for bringing this garden to my attention years ago.)
All photos by Larry Rosengren
July 2021 Flowers
Lilies, Lucifer Crocosmias and some volunteers, like the Black Swan Poppies, which attracts bees by the dozens, had a strong showing in my July garden. Enjoy, Goly Ostovar, AGC Member
Today in the Garden
Arisaema Sikokianum (Jack in the Pulpit), Delosperma (Ice Plant: Firespinner), Variegated Ginkgo
Today in Michael Dawkins Garden, Past President of the Ashland Garden Club
Garden(s) of the Month: June 2021
The Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for June 2021 is unusual. It’s unusual because it is three gardens and unusual because they are back gardens. Gardens selected for GotM honors must be substantially visible from the public right-of-way (street or sidewalk ordinarily) so that usually means front gardens. These three back gardens qualify because they are visible from Ashland Creek Park (on Hersey near Oak) and these three are all in a row.
Directions: From Hersey Street, walk along the right (east) side of the park about half way from front to back and watch for signs. Please stay in the park. You will see some gorgeous gardens.
The first (geographically) of the selected gardens is the furthest south of the three; the back garden of Deborah and Jeff Wihtol of 589 Oak Street. They started their garden with a rounded patio and gently winding path that Jeff designed. Then in 2017 the Wihtols had Solid Ground Landscaping plan and install most of the plants. Since then, they’ve made changes on their own. The recent loss of a large box elder tree brought more sun to the south side of the garden than it had in the past, to which they are adjusting. And most recently they arranged for Jane Hardgrove to refresh the landscape and accommodate the new sun situation. Among Deb’s favorite plants are hydrangeas, daphne odora, cape fuchsia, and orange sedge. Routine maintenance is by Juan Guerrero.
The second selected garden belongs to Ursula and Marvin Webster of 603 Oak Street whose historic 1897 home influenced plant selections. Sage Hill Landscape installed the hardscape and initial plantings in back following guidance from the Websters. As Ursula put it, “What would grandma do?” was her guiding principle. A massive trumpet vine, stone walls, ivy, and treasured perennials survive from the house’s earliest days. Among her favorites are plants that she considers “romantically old fashioned” such as hydrangea, peonies, erigeron, and catmint. The hillside setting dictated stairs, and aspen trees thrive in the lowest parts of the garden, nearest the park. Their quaking leaves add movement to the garden. Ursula handles routine maintenance with assistance from Juan Guerrero. The small building at the back of the garden is a straw-bale office built by EcoNest.
The third selected garden belongs to Susan McKennon of 615 Oak Street. The yard is dominated by a huge old oak that some believe is the tree for which Oak Street was named. That mighty tree is a picture of health thanks to Susan’s care and Canopy’s regular maintenance. Her dazzling stand of iris stems from an early gift from Schreiners, friends of the family—well known for iris cultivation. Susan brought the iris starts from a previous home. Solid Ground designed the landscape in 2013, bringing in tons of boulders to stabilize the steep terrain and installing stairs to help people negotiate the hill between the house and the park. Solid Ground brought in many trees except the old oak, including Japanese maples and a dwarf gingko. A friend’s gift of an elderberry bush draws attention at this time of year with its dark purple foliage and pale pink flowers. Rudolpho Ramirez and his crew maintain this garden.
Article by: Ruth Sloan, AGC Garden of the Month Director
All photos by Larry Rosengren
Garden of the Month: May 2021
The Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for May is Sue and Tim Cate’s at 471 Parkside Drive. As the neighbor who nominated the garden wrote, “It shows nicely from the street, but when looked at more closely the artistry of ground cover is evident, as is the balance. Without symmetry yet with plant forms and different species, there is a very graceful balance to the whole place. “
The Cates had their home built in 1995. They developed the garden themselves, beginning shortly after the house was completed. While Sue contributes ideas, Tim does all the work, spending four to five hours a week on average. He suggests that every gardener should maintain a garden diary for at least one year, to remind themselves what chores need to be done and when it is best to add new plantings. From his garden diary, Tim was able to create a comprehensive list of when each plant is at its peak. They have constructed arbors to create outdoor rooms and provide shade as well as trellises for trumpet vine, akebia, and honeysuckle.
Among Sue’s favorite plants is the crabapple tree, which she especially likes when the blooms are at the bud stage as they are now. Both Cates love the mature redbud that dominates the front yard and was recently pruned.
With thanks to Myrl Bishop for the suggestion.
Article by: Ruth Sloan
Photos by Larry Rosengren