Portland nursery visits: Joy Creek & Cistus
Joy Creek Nursery
While visiting Portland before the Seattle Garden Bloggers Fling, I was treated to nursery visits with Loree of Danger Garden. Fresh out of sun-baked, drought-stricken Austin, and plunked amid the lush greens—and chartreuse and burgundy—of Portland’s landscape, I’m ashamed to say I moaned and groaned just a bit pitifully to Loree about all the plants I covet but can’t grow. I needed a sharp slap in the face, but she was too kind for that. Eventually I snapped out of it and just let the moist, green gardens and landscape of the Pacific Northwest wash over me. But this was the first day, and it was a shock to the system. The high temperature was about 68 F. It felt like stepping into a crisp November day for this Austinite.
These scenes are from bucolic and sweetly named Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose, about a half hour from Portland.
The temps may have said autumn, but the flowers spoke of long summer days. The colors seem extra vivid, out from under the glare of the Death Star.
The sale tables are set up alongside golden fields, which in turn are backed by tall, somber firs.
I admired these handmade birdbaths. In fact, garden art was the only thing I considered bringing home with me. For one thing, I was heading to Canada after the Seattle Fling, and I didn’t want to worry about customs. For another, I didn’t know which plants would be hardy in Austin, plus summer is an awful time to plant. So I just admired but did not purchase.
It wasn’t always easy though. Here’s a color combo that says Pacific Northwest to me: burgundy and chartreuse. Here in Austin, our plant palette runs more toward silvery blues and greens.
The biggest smokin’ smoke bush I’ve ever seen.
Variegated euphorbia
More bright summer color
I was smitten by these tiny astrantia flowers, white with a hint of pale pink.
Joy Creek has a good-sized display garden, which is always a treat at a nursery; you can see how plants grow in a garden setting.
In fact, all of these pictures except the sale tables and bird baths were taken in the display gardens. We had a wonderful visit, and then we got back in Loree’s yellow Beetle and headed up the road to our next stop.
Cistus Nursery
Located on Sauvie Island, 15 miles northwest of Portland, Cistus is, I believe, Loree’s favorite area nursery.
I could see why. Its display gardens are thoughtfully designed and full of beautiful plants, the tables are filled with Danger Garden-style plants, and a selection of unusual plants tempts even more up by the check-out.
Aeonium
A succulent and cactus cabana keeps away the drenching winter rains. And look—an upended stock-tank table.
But it’s not all spiky plants. Butterfly bush and a tall grass soften things up in the display garden.
Dahlias add bright color.
And a gigantic, whimsical, metal duck sat on a trailer amid the nursery stock. He seemed to be enjoying the weather as much as I was.
A tall red pot enlivens a shady border.
Loree had received a gift certificate for her birthday and was carefully considering how she might spend it. I thought I’d found the perfect Danger Garden plant in this orange-thorned Solanum pyracanthum.
And only $5! Heck, I’d like to try this one.
Loree held onto her certificate for future shopping. I know from visiting her garden that she’s not generally an impulse buyer and thinks carefully about plant placement.
Gift certificates always burn holes in my pocket, on the other hand. I tend to spend them immediately, especially on pots or garden art—things I might not spend my own money on.
Here’s a familiar face! Squid agave (Agave bracteosa) writhing from its pot.
I really enjoyed seeing the nurseries that gardeners in this part of the country drool over. They gave me a great idea of the variety of plants that can be grown there.
For a look back at my visit to Loree’s personal garden, click here. Next up, the first garden visit of the Seattle Fling, Shelagh Tucker’s garden.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Loree needs to try your cinder block wall planter idea. It would look great in her garden, don’t you think?!!! She could get all the plants at this nursery 🙂
I’m going to be stealing ideas from HER garden, Toni! I love the way she’s done her containers and succulent arrangements and will be trying to incorporate some of that into my own garden. —Pam
Pam,
It is wonderful that you got to visit Joy Creek Nursery. It is one of my favorite nurseries, although I do need to drive about and hour and a quarter to get there as I live about 40mi south of Portland. I have bought most of my clematises from Joy Creek as well as some perennials.
That smoke tree is beautiful. There is one near me that is the size of a medium size tree.
I am truly envious of all the wonderful gardens that the attendees of the Seattle Fling got to visit. I got to see quite a few of them when I lived near Seattle, but by no means all.
Yael
P.S. Your gardening blog is an inspiration and I have really been enjoying reading it and seeing some of the beautiful gardens you both tend and visit. I have been linking to your site for awhile had have found it interesting and informative. I would feel very honored if you would also consider linking to my site.
My site is called Home Garden Diggers and I am at http://www.HomeGardenDiggers.com
Thanks Yael
Good nurseries are worth the drive, aren’t they? Lucky you to be within driving distance of Joy Creek. It’s wonderful! —Pam
Oh my! I had to smile at the notion that I am not an impulse buyer…in fact I am horribly so! I think it’s just the fact that I was (am) in possession off a gift certificate with which I could buy a small specimen that had me so carefully considering how to spend it.
You were correct in saying that Cistus is my favorite, I am lucky to have such a resource so close by. You captured the spirit of both places remarkably well Pam!
OK, I could definitely imagine you impulsively buying a specimen plant for your collection, Loree. But I saw how carefully you were evaluating the selection. 😉 Lucky you to have Cistus nearby! It’s an inspirational nursery. —Pam
I heard myself doing many heavy sighs while reading this post, Pam. I know you understand…
I do indeed, Robin. I heaved a few myself while touring around. —Pam
Just gorgeous Pam. What a treat!
I’m glad you enjoyed the virtual tour, Linda. —Pam
What a gorgeous garden nursery!
Richard and I have been researching Portland area and homes prices…. a possibility that son’s fiancé could get a job in Portland after she finishes next year. It’s in her top three of places to be interviewed… her folks like in Spokane and her favorite relatives live in Portland. We must say, the area sounds fabulous and if my son move across country… well, difficult not to at least consider moving there, too.
Oh, Freda, would you really consider leaving your beautiful home and garden in North Carolina? Well, you could hardly do better than to relocate in the Pacific NW. It’s stunning. I was entertaining some fantasies myself during my recent visit. —Pam
I am impressed that you kept your head while in these great nurseries. The temptation was great no doubt.
You know it, Lisa. —Pam
Thanks for sharing your photos and ideas. We are all jealous that you escaped the heat and enjoyed the living (not burnt) plants.
Jeanette
It was a great get-away from the difficult gardening conditions at home, Jeanette. Only a couple more months until it’s gardening season again here in Austin. —Pam
I am so envious of all the neat plants and gardens in more temperate climates. I would move in a heart beat except I have commitments to Austin…kids, a good job, & a paid-for house. Watering 2-1/2 hours each night by hand since May is making me REALLY cranky. I long for green not BROWN.
I love everything I’ve seen from the Spring Fling posts (Rock Rose) and from your awesome extra-curricular trips–Thanks Pam!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the virtual escape from a hot, dry summer, Laura. As I said in answer to the comment above, we only have to hang on for another two months, and then we’ll have cooler weather and, hopefully, rain. —Pam
Thanks for the Aeonium ID. I saw it in the Lane garden in Seattle, and wondered what it was! I’m enjoying your Portland posts. Keep ’em coming!
Oh, I will, Caroline! —Pam
Cool stuff – and I did love the display gardens. Wish we had more of those here.
So do I, Diana. Natural Gardener is the only one I can think of here in Austin. Out in Brenham there’s the Antique Rose Emporium too. —Pam
Oh, oh, oh, I need Portland. How beautiful!
Me too, Cynthia. Or at least some of their rain. —Pam