Sunday, May 22, 2011

Oregon Garden, Part II

One of the specialty gardens we really enjoyed was the Conifer Garden, an extensive collection of coniferous trees and shrubs. 

Most were in bloom or putting on their new growth, which adds special interest and beauty.





 This is a conifer in bloom.  This is a pollen factory!



Scattered through this section is a collection of Pacific Coast Iris, which are natives here in Oregon.






Another section of gardens is a created chain of wetlands.  Ponds were dug progressively down the hill.  Earthen dams with pathways separate them.  Waste water from a sewage treatment plant is filtered through these ponds, creating a green habitat, where "green" has a double meaning. This water is then also used to irrigate the gardens and provide source water for the other water features.
But for me the best part was the bird songs, especially the red wing blackbird.

I'm sure there are giant frogs here too, but maybe not quite this big. (Click on photo)
This was a lovely way to spend a half of a day.  We could have spent more time.  But we'll come back.  Gardens have seasons, and can be enjoyed over and over again.

To find out more, go here: www.oregongarden.org

12 comments:

  1. Great photos! This is a beautiful time of year in the Pacific Northwest.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks to me like the 1st and 4th pictures show an animated conversation between two tall trees. Gorgeous pictures of the pine cones, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those two tall conifers in your first photo look like living creatures... animal creatures. I don't know what but they look like they're walking.

    I do love irises and these are particularly beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. That's all I have to say.

    ReplyDelete
  5. lovely stroll, I could spend days there...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love all the shots in this post and the previous one
    what really strikes me is the variety of trees - size and shape and color!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda, fantastic photos both on this blog and your previous one. I liked the conifer with the red cones like a Christmas tree, the blackbird, the garden with the pipe arrangement, the bed of pansies and in fact all of the photos. Thanks for sharing your tour - Dave

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just lovely. Other words fail me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the blackbird. So pretty and striking!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful gardens...outstanding photos! The trees in the first photo look like a man bowing and asking a lady for a dance! :) The tenth photo of the of the tree with brilliant red tips is lovely! Love the frilly iris too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You're right! This was a lovely way to spend a day....Don't know which is more striking the colors or the textures.

    ReplyDelete

I would love to read your comments. Since I link most posts to Facebook, you may comment there if you do not have an account. I have eliminated Anonymous comments due to spammers.