Visit to Collector's Nursery

Visits to Collector's Nursery
October and November, 2002

Over the years my rockeries had been rebuilt so many times. It seems that I was killing certain plants with kindness: rich soil, world's near-perfect gardening climate, etc. ::wry grin::. We all need a garden design that suits both our basic personality and our lifestyle. I love to nurture, but occasionally my lifestyle calls for some neglect. Some plants that don't resent the naturally rich soil and amenable climate are a must. It is nice to be able to go off on flying and hiking adventures and not worry obsessively about an excess of fragile or fussy plants. Here in the Pacific Northwest young conifers require diligent summer watering, but as they develop deeper roots and shade their root area, water demand decreases. Too much herbaceous stuff is boring and their overuse creates a desolate landscape in the winter. For my gardens, some dwarf shrubs and conifers were definitely in order .

Though they are shunned by some highbrow rock gardeners, dwarf conifers and shrubs are authentic and very alpine. Even those that are not associated with timberline or krumholz are decidedly saxatile. Nature does a very fine and consistent job of "Bonsai" in the mountains. Smaller shrubs and trees have so many amenable traits for the rockery or border. They do well in our native soil: rich, world-class Willamette silt loam. Another plus is that I can be reasonably sure to enjoy them in my old age! It is better to have plants that are healthy and thriving than too much exotica that is struggling. Never have I been so much of a garden snob as to completely shun easier plants anyway. There are so many choice plants that are reasonably easy. Many of the plants that Collector's Nursery offers are choice and/or rare because they are slow-growing, or newly introduced from expeditions. Some require patient propagation, yet once established become real troupers in the garden. Though they aren't shrubs, epimediums are one example. I enjoy about a dozen epimediums purchased from Collector's over the years and have never lost a single one. A harmonious garden contains a balance of easy and challenging plants. If every plant required special attention, how would I ever find a lifetime to enjoy them? The artist in me desires balance and harmony.

How many times have I heard a "serious" gardener claim, "I am not a designer, I just collect plants."? Sometimes this is true. We all know gardens that lack artistry or attention to design called "collector's gardens". My quest for some small shrubs and trees brought me to Collectors Nursery during their open house and very tempting sale. Both aritistry and a love of nature are evident in the devoted plant collections here. Since many smaller shrubs and trees require years of investment to even bring to the sale table, one can't expect to get them too cheaply. Along with some beauties that are easier to propagate and thus inexpensive, I also splurged on a couple of the truly dwarf conifers that justifiably cost a little more. And of course, another epimedium.

Even without the incentive of a sale, a stroll around the splendid gardens are worth the visit. Check out the Collector's Nursery webpage for details. Below are some photos that I took during my October visit.

	A full palette of plant types creates a seasonal keleidoscope of color and texture. Choice conifers in all sizes are nestled among grasses, ferns, and forbs. Here it is October and there is as much to delight the eye as in spring.
Wide lawn paths provide the amenities of open viewing and access.
	Smaller conifers have wonderful shapes such as spheres and cushions. I had always thought that they needed full sun and lean rock gardens, but many thrive in light shade. And some of the "blondies" demand it.

Fall color is enhanced with the contrast that evergreens provide. This scene reminds me of autumn in the Western Cascades, when vine maples turn bright against the deep greens of the conifers.
	Conifers provide a stately sense of architecture.

	More fall color. The conifers change color with the seasons too. For example blues and yellows may be enhanced in cooler weather. Spring brings new growth, with additional pleasing colors.
Nature's sculpture: a grouping of "Crazy Maples".
	Wowey kazowey, this Daphne "Briggs Moonlight" has a lot more "moonlight" than the ones that I have seen elsewhere. The background of this photo is a little darker than reality, but indeed this daphne glows.

Here there be dragons! A friendly one is perched beneath this exquisite tree. In the background, the splash of fall color is a table is loaded with goodies for the open house day.
	Daphne "Lawrence Crocker" blooms in October between colorful junipers. The very prostrate gold one on the left is 'Mother Lode'. Although some cultivars are too agressive for a rock garden, others are valuable for their tolerance of our dry Pacific Northwest summers.

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