Garden Trips: Portland's Japanese Garden

One of the highlights for gardeners visiting Portland, Oregon, has to be a trip to the famous Japanese Garden. Renown for its beauty and authenticity, this is a garden (even in February) that delights the visitor.

Before we begin our visit, I hope you're wearing appropriate clothing. This is, Portland, after all (and when in Rome...), so bring your umbrella and sensible shoes. A little rain will not stop or delay us...it only adds to the charm. The Japanese Garden has many perspectives (both figuratively and literally) and we'll try to see as much as possible. Oh and just so you know, I really like moss...



Well, okay...we're here at the entrance...are you as excited as I am?


This would be a tad more interesting if the water was turned on...however, I'm liking the moss...just wait!


Check this out...pretty mossy, yes?


Closer...


Different kinds of moss...


You've been warned...

Now, the beauty really begins...




Because we need several perspectives:



There's sculpture in the garden, too...


(because I am too lazy to just type it...)


We pause here for a little view of the skyline...and the trees...the Pacific Northwest has such beautiful evergreens:


I can't help it...isn't the moss just fascinating??


Look what's down there....we'll make our way closer...eventually...


Even without their leaves, the Japanese Maples have such interesting shapes...nice fern, too


This tree looks like it is wearing moss clothing...


The detail really stands out...


Don't you just want to stand and reflect?



Let's keep going...



Look how the moss carpet just lights up the area:


Be careful, watch your step...



See, we did make it down...


I thought I saw this...do you?


Could it be?? Bamboo??

Here we go, there's more to see:


Can't get enough of the moss...good thing, huh.


Not too much further...


Well, a bit more...


Worth it, though...




Yes, we're still going...


Check the wall out...


Now, this is a view worth waiting (climbing) for..


This will be fabulous when the Japanese Iris bloom...you'll be able to walk right among them...


Very pretty (and very flat):


You'll probably have to click on this one to appreciate the moss (you know you can click on all the pictures):


Such wonderous tree shapes:


Could be a postcard...but, we're actually seeing it...lovely...



Now, we're standing on the bridge and we'll have a look each way:



Before we head out (it was fun, wasn't it?), take another look at the view:


And, the awesome Mount Hood:


I hope you enjoyed our time at Portland's Japanese Garden. When in Portland, it's something you must see...

Yes, yes, I know that Portland is also the City of Roses...but well, the famous Rose Garden is not at its best in February, you know....we'll just have to come back one of these days to see it in peak bloom. The gift shop is quite nice any time of the year, however.


A tiny look at the Rose Garden. I felt like I shouldn't show too much...like being caught in your pajamas.

*****
We're got two more gardens to visit on our Oregon tour....as well as getting back to Chanticleer, the Horticulture Symposium and yesterday, I took in the Maymont Flower Show...so many things, so little time to blog...

Two Years Strong!

Imagine that. Who would have thought it! Two years ago on a whim I decided to share my garden and, okay, bits of me with the world. And, we're still here...the garden and me! Both of us have changed some, expanding and retracting (probably more expanding than retracting, but let's not go there...), a little older, maybe a little wiser (maybe), more colorful and more adventurous, but...most of all...enriched by trying this blogging thing and meeting all of you. Really! It's been more fun than I expected (I mean, I didn't expect fun, but hey, I'll take it!).

Since I'm no computer whiz (yes, you know that), I won't entertain you with fancy graphics or whatever they might be called. I'll just keep on...doing whatever it is I do. Which means, I think, I'll talk about what's going on in my garden, what garden-y things I'm doing or seeing and especially those gardens I visit. And, speaking of that....(great segue, don't you think?)

Did you miss me?? I've been gone....however, I have lots to share with you! (I know, that file keeps getting bigger and bigger...so, I guess you'll just have to hang with me until I get around to it all...right?) Three new-to-me gardens are waiting to be shared, i.e., Portland's famous Japanese Garden, The Oregon Garden, and, my favorite of these, I think, The Bishop's Close. Of course, I went shopping (need you ask)! But, I was very restrained and only three (okay, four) plants came home with me...and some wonderful Oregon grown Dahlias (who can resist? not me). If you know Portland, you know about Powell's...so, yes, a few garden books begged to come home with me also (even a few cookbooks...oh right, that's the other blog...the one I will get back to one of these days). So, see, there's lots to talk about.

And, I haven't gotten to the Horticulture Symposium I attended before I left...can't wait to tell you all about that! A few things are coming up in the future (it never ends...or at least, I hope it doesn't!...it is Garden Education Season, after all!) and there's all that other stuff still waiting...

For grins, here's last year's anniversary post (there actually was a second one) and my very first one.

Because you expect it (don't you?) and because there are a few things to look at....here's what I found upon my return:

My second crocus to bloom (the first was already spent)...not the Cream Beauties I usually have (think they went along with the tree I had taken out...):


Those Snowdrops that were just poking out are going strong (and some others are now peeking through):


The Hardy Cyclamen that had just a couple blooms now has a nice little group:


Daffodils are putting up foliage all around, but I think these are the first buds I've found:


Yesterday, I was out doing errands and I happened upon a feeding frenzy at a local grocery store. People snatching at flowers (tisk, tisk, those of you who waited until the last moment...)...it was quite entertaining...and then I spied some tulips...quite cheap, too...and I just had to jump in....



Worth it, yes? A little blogging anniversary present to myself! Here's to a new year of garden adventures!