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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Garden Bloggers' Fling 2014: Visiting Cistus and Joy Creek Nurseries

One of the many joys of attending the Garden Bloggers' Fling in Portland last summer was seeing gardens that I'd only heard about but wanted to see in person, another was visiting a couple of my favorite nurseries!  Previous posts about both of these nurseries can be found here and here.   Both of these places have great plants, both are run by great people,  both do mail order sales but they are very different places!  Cistus is on flat ground while Joy Creek is on a rolling hillside and the differences don't stop there. 
The driveway into Cistus is packed with treasures!  Notice the towering (for the PNW) eucalyptus on the left.

While the surprises and excitement is mainly in the foliage and flowers, there are a few surprises in the way of yard art.

Our native Oxalis oregana holds rain on its leaves like sparkling jewels. 

Alan (It's Not Work, It's Gardening) taking a close up which he does very well!

 Agaves and yuccas and aloes, Oh my!


While there are certainly flowering plants at Cistus, I think it's fair to say that their focus is on fabulous foliage plants from around the world like this Ficus afghanistanica which also grows in my garden.

With foliage like this, who needs flowers?

 Not far away is Joy Creek Nursery whose gardens certainly rely on foliage and include some great conifers but their focus is more on flowering plants.  Their clematis, delphinium, and hydrangea programs are well known. 

Love the bamboo flanking the entrance.

During our lunch break, we got to attend a demonstration by the Dramm Corporaition, one of the Fling Sponsors.  It's always fun to see their colorful and truly useful watering tools and we  appreciate their continued support of the GBBF!

Mondarda and clematis bloom in one of Joy Creek's beds. 

More colorful delights.


 Paths meander through the sunny and colorful gardens
 which surround the old farmhouse on the property.  

A wonderful way to continue day one of the fling!

19 comments:

  1. Spent so much time in the garden area there that we didn't even set foot on the nursery area!

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  2. I don't think I've ever seen that last view through the gate toward the house. You got a great shot.

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    1. Thanks. I spent more time walking on the driveway on this visit than I had before.

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  3. Fantastic nurseries and fantastic nursery owners!! I had such a great time!!! thanks for the memories :)

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    1. It was a fun day, wasn't it? Glad to bring back happy memories.

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  4. That was a really enjoyable day, except it was a little bit too hot. Both really wonderful nuseries, unlike anything we have in St. Louis. Note that the key to good macro shots is the tiptoe technique, as I demonstrate in that photo. ;)

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    1. I thought that you were using the power of your mind to levitate over your subject.

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  5. I'm glad Alan mentioned the tiptoe technique, he was utilizing it so well! (and I thought that was just for short people like me)

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    1. It was nice of him to tell us the secret to his great macro shots! You've been doing that all this time and didn't tell me?

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  6. Imagine having enough land for such huge clumps of bamboo. The photos feature great paths and border planting; this almost feel like a travel blog. I'm motivated to go on a walk right now while the sun is still out.

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    1. It would be sweet to have that kind of land and huge clumps of bamboo! A walk in the sunshine sounds delightful!

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  7. Oh your last pic of the front gate....photo contest worthy!! It was so amazing to visit both nurseries and study the contrast between them on the same day. I feel so lucky to have them in such close proximity!

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    1. Thanks Jenni. It was fun having more time to explore the grounds at Joy Creek. Usually when I go on a Portland nursery spree, I hit a couple in town then head home via highway 30. By the time I get to J.C. it's pretty close to their closing time so I mostly stay in the nursery area.

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  8. Both great nurseries, to be visited regularly and often!

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    1. I agree, they are both great places! Can they be visited irregularly and often?

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  9. We hope to put together a Portland garden tour of our own for this spring and include these two places. We have been to Joy Creek several times, but not Cistus.

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    1. Cistus is a great place! Do make sure to follow the paths around the nursery and explore the gardens which are very different from those at Joy Creek.

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  10. Another wonderful trip to a beautiful garden, Peter. Lovely photos of plants, especially agave and blue hydrangea. Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.