What's More Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys? A Garden Full of Plant Crazed Gardeners!

Twice a year, the Portland areal garden bloggers organize  a plant exchange which takes place in someone's garden.  It's an opportunity to get together with a great group of folks who whose blogs and comments come into each others' homes frequently.  Talking gardening for a few hours with other plant crazed people is a delight, touring the garden of the host is a special treat and, oh yes, there are the plants.  Although Alison (Bonney Lassie) and I live far from the area, the group has been gracious enough to make us honorary members.  They're a very kind group!   Last Saturday the spring exchange was held in Tamara's (Chickadee Gardens)  brand new home and garden.

Tamara's former and current home and garden space couldn't be more different.  Her previous home was a classic  home from near the turn of the last century, smallish rooms with beautiful woodwork in a small urban garden space stuffed with special plants  Her current home, designed by an artist and built fairly recently, has big, open, and bright rooms and sits on two acres in a rural setting. The garden is pretty much a blank slate on which Tamara and her husband are just beginning to write.

A view down from the deck in the last picture, over a newly created-bed at some of the people and plants. The only person facing forward in this picture is Amy (The World's Best Garden Blog)

Another bed in the works. I've been watching the progress on Tamara's blog but it's such a treat to see her place in person.

There is a rise behind the house where some steps lead to a shade garden area.  Always delighted to see podophyllum!

The shade garden area is to the left and above the grassy area on the left hand side.

The deck in front is drenched in sun, perfect for cooler seasons, while the back patio area is covered, the cool shade a welcome retreat on hot summer days.

Plants and People. Jenni (The Rainy Day Gardener) Ann (Amateur Bot-Ann-Ist) Jane (Mulch Maid)  The plants will have to introduce themselves. 

Derek and Heather (Milk Barn Farm)

the guy in the blue shirt right of center is Matthew (The Lents Farmer)

Loree (Danger Garden) and Ricki (Sprig to Twig)

 The striped pink cryptanthus came home with me along with an Oxalis tuberosa (Thanks, Evan!)  a beesia (Thank you, Linda!) and Euphorbia 'Sticks of Fire.' (Muchas Gracias, Alison!) My goal was to bring nothing home.  Oh well.

Ricki behind her camera, Evan (Practical Plant Geek) and peeking out from behind him is our gracious host, Tamara.  Did I mention that there was also food?

 Mindy (Rindy Mae) and Heather (Just a Girl With a Hammer) look concerned. 

Scott and Norm (Rhone Street Gardens) Linda (Whatsit Garden) and Ricki

Somehow I didn't get a picture of Patricia (plant lust)  but have a feeling that this may be her bag.  If I missed anyone else, please forgive me! Next exchange I'll make everyone stand still for a group picture!

I consider myself a very lucky gardener indeed to know so many incredibly talented, hard working, creative plant nuts.  I've already got about a  carload of plants ready for the next exchange!