flynn070

This is the view outside our front window right now. I finally decided on the Ginkgo variety 'Princeton Sentry', which grows in an upright, conical habit. I think it provides some height and adds more definition to the area. It just started changing color a few days ago and did it all at once, overnight it seems. Notice the huge maple on the right across the street - it is absolutely stunning right now especially when the late evening sun hits it. It absolutely glows. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

'Essex' 'Cornelia' 'Golden Celebration' 'Mary Rose' 'Lady Emma Hamilton' 'Chinatown' 'Red Eden' 'Coral Cove' 'Buff Beauty' 'Tequila Sunrise' Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Snakeroot ( Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate') and Bear's Breeches ( Acanthus mollis ) I am starting off Bloom Day with one of my favorite plants at the moment - Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (aka 'Snakeroot'). This is a plant that a co-worker recommended and it is lovely right now in the shady border under the dogwood tree. Next to it is Bear's Breeches ( Acanthus mollis ) which is also beginning to look good but it hasn't bloomed yet). Other bloomers in the mid-October garden - My favorite coreopsis - 'Red Satin' Aster lateriflorus 'Prince' is completely smothered in blooms Agastache 'Electric Punch' Sneezeweed ( Helenium 'Bishop")  Colchicum (Autumn Crocus) - I love these. There were two clumps already here when we moved in. They are in a bad spot though and I want to transplant them. Peruvian Lily (Altromeria 'Colorita Kate') Begonias Rudbeckia fulgida 'Little Goldstar') Salvia 'Amist...

The front border along the street I am deeply saddened by the destruction and loss of lives from Hurricane Michael (of all names!). If you've read my blog in the past, you probably know that every year in late October, we would go to the Florida panhandle for our anniversary. Although we never stayed in Mexico Beach, we were just right up the road on Highway 30-A and sometimes in Destin. If you've seen my vacation photos (just type in "Florida" in the search box), you know that it is a spectacularly beautiful area. I don't know how the neighboring communities have fared but I do hope that they can recover from this as soon as possible. We miss going there every year. Stewartia pseudocamellia On to cheerier things - autumn is arriving in the Pacific Northwest and the colors are beautiful. I love this time of year. The rainy season, which is usually here by now, has been delayed. We did get some much needed rain for three or four days in a row last week but now it i...

My seasonal job at the nursery has ended for the year and my retail schedule has not kicked in yet so I've had some extra time on my hands. I haven't been to an HPSO Open Garden since spring so I decided to do that this past Saturday. When I opened my pamphlet for the tour schedule, I saw that it was the last day for open gardens this year and only one garden was open! The garden was in Washougal which is a long trek, albeit a scenic one, and best of all, it meant no driving in or around Portland. The journey was a beautiful one and I should kick myself for not pulling over and getting some shots of a breathtaking view of the Columbia River Gorge along the way. (Note to self - do that on a later date!). I ventured onward, along narrow, winding roads with views of the river on my right and gigantic boulders on my left. Turn off the main road, drive a short distance and turn down a gravel driveway in the middle of a dense forest and I have arrived. The description in the Open Ga...