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...
Sipped a cup of tea and joined you on your enlightening Japanese Garden tour. Big thanks for those of us who have not been able to slip away this winter. Portland has always been on my 'must' list ... ah, perhaps someday I can see and photograph this treasure myself. In the meantime, thank you for your effort to educate and amaze us.
ReplyDeleteTerrific photo tour! Huzzah! I'm working on a VERY small and VERY bare bones Japanese garden as an entrance to a prairie garden (I know, quite the mix), so these were very idea generating. Thank you! I've always wanted to see Portland.
ReplyDeleteGreat tour!! I love moss, too, and that made it all the more enjoyable. That's a beautiful garden...were there any koi in the ponds? You got some great pics, too...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLovely, just lovely. Did you know we have a Japanese garden in Oklahoma too? It's not as big, but it is part of Lendonwood Gardens, one of my favorite road trips. Thank you for taking us to yours.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joey! You make it worthwhile and make the sharing a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHello, Benjamin Vogt: You're welcome! That sounds most interesting...you will share pictures, won't you?
Hey Lisa: Thank you! Actually, we did see some koi in the pond(s) under the bridge. The water was quite cloudy (from rain, I'd guess), so they were a bit difficult to see. I suspect they might be over there where the Japanese Iris are as well, but we didn't see any.
Hi Dee: I didn't know that! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you all...more to come (I know, I always say that...I really do mean it!)...
I spent a leisurely time wandering through the Japanese Garden and wished the tour would have gone on and on. The views were spectacular. I was taken with the stone stairs and the amazing variety of evergreens. And how could one not love the moss photographs? It added to the overall ambience of the Gardens.
ReplyDeleteI did have a question - were there any benches?
Oh WOW! I feel like I need to go back through everything again, and slowly... I think my brain is full already from this beauty.
ReplyDeleteLovely GG, thanks for a wonderful tour around this gorgeous mossy Japanese garden. I like moss so no problem there. While I was watching all your lovely pics I was thinking that Japanese gardens with loads of moss would do very well here as we have lots of rain, just like Portland. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've never been the States but this is a really beautiful garden and some lovely pictures too! Miranda
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the lovely photos!!
ReplyDeleteWow! That was a great tour. I'm going to come back later tonight and take it again, only I'll take my time and appreciate all the details.
ReplyDeleteI too love moss. But out here on the drish Canadian praries it's not something we see often. I miss it. sigh. (I grew up on British Columbia's west coast, about an hour and a half outside of Vancouver.)
Keep those tours coming!
This was a treat, Katie - what a beautiful place. I love moss, too, but am not likely to see much of it in Austin! We have a lovely Japanese garden here but with such different climate it uses different plants.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Very beautiful garden-and so interesting in your climate in February-shows what can be accomplished with VERY meticulous planning and design.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Kate! Most excellent question...I do love benches, but I only saw a few in this garden...and none, sadly, struck me as being so interesting I needed to photograph them. For instance, there were some up against the tea room, but if you sat on them, you wouldn't be able to see the garden as people would stand in front of you. I think because this garden is on so many levels, there are only certain places to put benches....also, it wasn't a day (a bit damp) for sitting, so maybe that distracted me as well. Thanks for your...always...welcome comments!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim: It was something...a pleasure for the senses. Thanks for stopping by.
Hello YE! How are you? Interesting....Hmmmm, maybe a thought??! Yes, if you've got moss, I think you just have to go with it...and appreciate it. Of course, I am more and more liking things that do well without much bother.
Thanks, Miranda! This garden is very far away from where I live...in a much different climate...although we are in somewhat similar zones...much more damp there and not as sunny.
You're welcome, MightyMatt!
Thanks, Rosa...I will will will get back on things! Eventually. Come back for the Bishop's Close garden...
Hi Annie: Now that would be very wild to see...will you take us some day? To the Japanese Garden in Austin? It would be fascinating! Thanks, Annie!
Hi Nicole...well, not exactly my climate....Portland is very different from here...I like seeing different things/places.
Thank you all so much!