We were surprised to see geraniums, petunias and even dahlias in bloom already. April 18 is a bit early for us (Mother's Day for tender plants is the usual rule) but this has been a warm and wonderful spring!
This is a large nursery that has everything, including the kitchen sink!
I could easily live in their shade plant area, a hexagonal building with lots of light and beautiful wood. It looks like sliding panels can cover the openings in the winter.
Australian native Adenanthos sericeus, common name Woollybush is a gorgeous thing. Grown by Montery Bay Nursery, it was probably delivered by the friendly WEHOP truck.
Acacia cultriformis getting ready to bloom.
Yucca 'Bright Star' with the pink that magically appears on specimens at nurseries. Somehow on those in my garden, only the brown and black acne appears. Pity as it's such a gorgeous plant.
Great pot!
The place has come a long way since they opened as a roadside stand in 1987 with 50 tomatoes, 50 fuchsias, and 200 geraniums. Photo lifted from Cornell Farm website.
The house marked Check out is home to great indoor plant offerings and way cool tchotchkes, I mean decor.
Barnacle vase
Pond lilies and jousting equipment.
Another great pot. Too bad it has an orchid (I just call them compost) in it.
More barnacles.
Glass chunks always catch my eye. Look, something shiny.
We've all seen these old hardware thingies used for display pieces. What makes this one special? Everything displayed is alive. Didn't notice much faux at Cornell Farm.
These vrieseas are huge. Here's a question for all of you bromeliad experts - Since the roots of these plants are primarily used to secure them in place, do they need to be potted up as they get larger?
More indoor goodies.
The side of the house. Notice that sun room on the second floor.
Metal arbors are do die for!
Pots, pots, pots.
I didn't venture into the rose garden but I'm sure it's spectacular!
If there was space in the car, in my garden, and on my credit card, this would have come home with me.
Gorgeous views of the hills of southwest Portland.
Conifers do pretty interesting things!
But then, so do bromeliads!
Dig the chandelier. Can you see three of these hanging at the front of a church for a wedding?
Even the parking lots are interesting!
I'm so glad that we visited this nursery and know that it won't be my last visit!
The lady in the phone took us on a hilly and turn-filled but scenic route to Sauvie Island. (Cistus Nursery, our next stop.)
Given the chance I could happily give some of those 'under the sea' pots a home!
ReplyDeleteAren't they cool?
DeleteOh, yes, that place is dangerous. Very lovely place, lots to offer, glad you got a chance for a visit. I think you've been to most of the Portland nurseries now, Peter...have you guys missed any?
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to Hammer and Vine, either of the 7 Dees, Tony's, the list is growing as I look at the map!
DeleteWhat a wonderful place. So many things caught my eye. My favorite though were those pots with the not-so-sharp spikes protruding out.
ReplyDeleteI like those pots as well and got a small one at Digs Inside and Out in Portland last summer.
DeleteCornell was a delightful surprise. I would definitely like to go back later in the season. Too bad we were running out of room in the car, that was a fabulous container. You focused your camera on lots of things I didn't notice.
ReplyDeleteIt was for sure! The container was fabulous but I really don't know where I'd put it in my garden and it was a bit expensive so I'm glad that we didn't have space as it removed the temptation.
DeleteWow! You took such stunning photos.
ReplyDeleteMust go here next time I'm in PDX.
Sounds like you should rent a small truck next time you travel together so you can all get the things you swoon over.
It's definitely worth stopping by! Having a truck would be dangerous as I already spend far too much money on garden stuff! One of the reasons to invite others on plant adventures is to cut down on the possible space in the car. It's nice to be able to pay the mortgage.
DeleteThat Australian Woollybush is great, wanted it a lot until a quick research said it's not hardy in our area. Sigh. Loved the kitchen sink and the hardware display; so creative.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't have left without one of those barnacle things, could you?
I was strong and left without a barnacle vessel (vase, pot, whatever.) They're fabulous but my house is full of cool stuff so unless I get rid of some things, there's really not a lot of room for more stuff.
DeleteTaste reigns at Cornell Farms. Don't know why I don't make it there more often. When searching for something special, this is often where I have found it.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me a little bit of our Watson's nursery but with some more adventurous plant choices. What a beautiful part of town!
DeleteLove that place! I don't get there often, as it is on the other side of the Portland metro area from me, but when I do go I always find something fun to buy.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you always find something fun to buy! This place was full of great plants and stuff.
DeleteThe pricier the glass, the more eye-catching. I was drawn to crystal stemware in a thrift shop this morning, none of which I needed but it was fun to look.
ReplyDeleteIf nobody else ventures about bromeliads, Here are amateur observations: I tip them out of their pots to see if the roots have filled the pot. Roots tend not to go deep, so I use azalea pots and try to balance size and pot.
Need is such a silly word. Crystal stemware is always a good idea!
DeleteThanks for the bromeliad advice!
What a lovely nursery - filled to the brim with so many plants - the woolly bush is only marginally hardy for me and tends to get fungal problems during the wet summer weather. Is it hardy in the PNW?
ReplyDeleteWoolly bush isn't hardy here but some people love it so much that they bring it inside for the coldest part of the year. I'm also a big fan of silky net bush as the flowers are so interesting.
DeleteNow that looks like fun! I'm thinking that chandelier is quite amazing. (I have a few rustic ones hanging out at my place. I'm going to think how to deck them out a bit fanc-i-ly after seeing this one...
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! Love the chandelier and look forward to seeing yours!
DeleteFun stuff...I want the Barnacle vase! Very cool. As to bromeliads I never up size the pots I do removed the babies when they have no room to grow. And then find them new homes with friends.
ReplyDeleteGood to know about the bromeliads as I have a few that have gotten quite large and dwarf their pots.
DeleteWANT!! I wish I'd gone there when I was in Portland. Looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIt is fabulous! Can't believe it's taken me this long to visit!
DeleteI like the looks of this place. I'm adding it to my list of places to go in and near Portland.just in case I ever get a Portland tour organized and find the time to do it.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! It's pretty special!
DeleteTo answer your original question: Yes. Double-swoon. Argh. The only problem would be my budget. This reminds me: I need to get some of those bird cages and other terrarium-type hardware. Love the effect!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you all enjoyed your visit. It's another of our great area nurseries!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great nursery! I haven't been to many nurseries in Portland, even though I'm closer than you. I saw you mentioned Tony's. That's one I was thinking of stopping at on Saturday after RPR. To add to Jean's advice on the bromeliads, they have small root systems, so they will fill pots very slowly. It can be hard to balance the pot with the top growth, so I use clay or ceramic pots, or a small pot stashed in larger one.
ReplyDelete