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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, March 1, 2016

When In Portland...Visit Some Nurseries! Portland Nursery on Starke

Portland Nursery has two locations and instead of looking and feeling like the same nursery in two places, each has a distinct look, personality and specialties.  Division street has a huge area devoted to houseplants while Starke has a smaller area.  There are so many differences that a visit to both is worthwhile.  However, I wanted to hit several places so flipped a coin to see which to see on this trip.

Since Portland-area bloggers have been raving about Hamamelis 'Early Bright,' I was on the hunt for one but, although Portland Nursery has had them before, there were none.  However, the fragrance of the many other Witch Hazels permeated the air beautifully!

Gorgeous groupings of pots and plants!






Camellias are so bright, cheerful and a bit gaudy - right up my alley. Camellia japonica 'MonBella.'

C. japonica 'Pope Pius IX'


Double Daffodils are interesting but I prefer the simpler lines of the singles. Although, these are pretty sweet.


So tempted by this vase.

These green ceramic things looked a lot like agaves to me.  Aren't they cute?
Surprisingly, nothing made it into the plantmobile.  However, I found the little ceramic agaves at Vassey nursery in Puyallup  for about half the price and snapped up a couple of them.  Have you started haunting nurseries yet this year?  Luckily, in this part of the country, they're open year round for those of us who need frequent plant fixes! Only 18 more days until Spring!

24 comments:

  1. That orange vase...it's 'da bomb'!

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  2. What -- bought nothing?! That Camellia bloom is perfection! (I still don't have a witchhazel in my garden...)

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    1. Scary isn't it? The formal Camellia form is amazing, isn't it? Get a witch hazel! Their fall color is amazing, especially Diane!

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  3. Kudos to you on using restraint while you were there! Love those orange stools and the tall table.

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    1. It won't last long, the restraint, but it's easier when there's a garden too crammed with plants and lots of pots still not planted!

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  4. Love the photo of the dafs (never can remember how to spell them). And ceramic agaves? Where will THEY land?

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    1. They might land on top of little clay pots. Happy almost spring!

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  5. Layanee cracked me up with her bomb comment. I'm in total agreement with Alan about that PERFECT Camellia (mine are still closed). Alison would have to arm wrestle me for the Orange sitting set. The ceramic agaves will be featured in a future 'Monday in a vase' post. Possibly. And Peter, I start Haunting nurseries in January! I try to avoid the crowds :-)

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    1. You're so wise to start haunting nurseries early! We tend to take our camellias for granted here where they grow so easily. Just learned some interesting things about them here: http://www.growingwithplants.com/2016/02/a-weekend-at-americas-oldest-flower-show.html

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  6. If I had a dime for every time I've almost bought those "green ceramic things" and thanks for the visual reminder of what a great job they do with the displays in the entry area. I'm sometimes in such a hurry to grab whatever I've stopped there for that I forget to just pause and appreciate.

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    1. I thought of you when I saw the green ceramic things! They really do a nice job of display in the front!

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  7. I was there just the other day and walked out empty-handed. I must have contracted some sort of virus. The Stark St location is my go-to destination, maybe because it is a little bit closer. They stage things really beautifully.

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    1. It all fits beautifully into that old neighborhood.

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  8. I am attempting to use restraint on my nursery visits this spring. Looks like you managed it on this stop.

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  9. I never stop haunting nurseries and garden centers. You do know the best places to visit! I bet you could even find wonderful places in LA that I've never set foot in.

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    1. Why would an addict stop haunting? It's easy to find nurseries with publications listing nurseries in the PNW and there's always the interweb and the recommendations of bloggers in the area. Wish I could take credit.

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  10. I periodically haunt them, I like some of the Vancouver nurseries close to the freeway like Shorty's, Bird's English Garden & Nursery (had big 4-5' winter hazels Arnold's Promise and Diane for $30 in late fall, but I can't figure out where to plant one), Tsugawa's in Woodland. But if I'm in Portland I do go by Portland N. for their wide selections. And then there's Xera where I got my Manzanitas.....

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    1. Kicking myself for missing Xera on this trip! Thanks for the recommendations. I've been to Tsugawa (loved it!) but have never stopped at the others.

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  11. I hate to think how out of control I would be if I could shop at a nursery year round. There actually are a couple here like that but I rarely think to check them out in winter. I've wanted a couple of ferns but haven't wanted to brave the cold, to say nothing of trying to get a plant into the car when the temps are barely in the teens. I did compensate by ordering copious numbers of plants online for spring delivery. What a difference that you can see and smell the Witch Hazels before buying. They bloom too early and too late to ever be doing their thing when it's buying season here. At least, I have never seen it . . .

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  12. I am making my first venture to the nursery this weekend for a big pre-spring festival they are holding. I doubt seriously they will have a grenade vase, but if they did it would so come home with me.

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  13. Thanks to the recent development here, there is no longer a place to be avoided at night. Thees party venues have perfect location for a classy, elegant event. It’s great when everyone gathers for an incredible picture.

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  14. This looks life a fantastic nursery. Why didn't we visit it during the fling? Maybe we should have added an extra day for nursery visits.

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