Queen of the Bog Garden .. Lovely Lobelia

Magnificent dark-leaved Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' ...

photographed at Portland's South Waterfront Park.

Without a doubt, Portland is one of my favorite U.S. destinations for summertime garden splendor!

A Quiet Spell in my California Garden

The holiday season has arrived, with a Happy Hour time-out at a local restaurant.

This is a quiet period in my garden, although there are a few treasures in bloom. A remarkable plant, commonly called Australian Fuchsia, Correa 'Carmine Bells' blooms on and off for months on end.

The spreading shrubby specimen grows in our enclosed front patio outside my office window, its flowers visible when I shift my head just a bit to the left of the computer. In late Fall and during the Winter, this evergreen plant is visited by hummingbirds, much to my delight.

During this reflective time of year, I'm taking an opportunity to reprise memorable garden sojourns.

My visits to Portland never cease to amaze. Such a vibrant city, with an avid population of gardeners.

 Here's a link to a post from my travels in Portland, musing on... 'what is a garden?'

For my U.S. friends, I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving Day!

Rushing Water - Fragrant Flora, Garden of Awakening Orchids

 Garden of Awakening Orchids

Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida' 

All Photos Copyright © Alice Joyce - All Rights Reserved

Portland Chinese Garden - Part III

Cycas revoluta

The classical Chinese gardens of Suzhou, China are distinctive, characterized by a gracefully horizontal landscape arranged to frame a series of captivating views.

A place of ineffable poetry, Portland Chinese Garden reveals the fundamental elements of classical garden design: Stone gives way to water. Buildings, bridges and mosaic paving are softened by flora.  The harmony and contrast of these elements imparts energy, qi, within the walled setting.

Extraordinary rockery elements call up images

of mountains: Rushing water resonates, bringing balance.

Hibiscus syriacus 'Aphrodite'

Undulating rooflines crown open halls and intimate pavilions.

At every step, lush plantings mark the shifting seasons;

the water supple, the stone assertive. 

Link to Classical Chinese Garden posts, Part I and Part II:

Tea and Turnip Cakes at the Classical Chinese Garden

Classical Chinese Garden - Portland

Portland Classical Chinese Garden - Part II

The refined elegance of Portland Classical Chinese Garden has inspired countless articles since its gates first opened. I jumped on the bandwagon early on, mentioning the project's groundbreaking as my manuscript neared completion for West Coast Gardenwalks (Michael Kesend Publishing, 2000). Going forward, I wrote in some depth on the garden’s rarified beauty for Gardenwalks in the Pacific Northwest (Globe Pequot Press, 2006).

During a lengthy recent visit, I had time and opportunity to bask in the garden's ambiance.

Admittedly, a virtual tour is just that, but perhaps my words and images will inspire you to visit the Classical Chinese garden ... enchantingly named, Garden of Awakening Orchids .. Lan Su Yuan.

An authentically built classical scholar’s garden of the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese Garden finds inspiration in the classical urban gardens of Suzhou: China’s garden city and Portland’s sister-city. Expert artisans from Suzhou traveled to Portland to assemble the garden’s prefabricated structures, and to create decorative stonework elements boasting an incredible attention to detail.

Stout stone lions stand sentry at the garden’s main portal,

where visitors pass through an inscribed gate framing the entryway. A complementary grouping, Three Friends of Winter is comprised of a pine, graceful bamboo and plum tree that traditionally appear in Chinese art.

Lake Tai rocks hold prominent places within the garden. As you proceed to discover its full beauty, the symbolic nature of such distinctive rocks is revealed as integral to the philosophical character - the yin and yang - of this idealized setting.

A glassy lake harmoniously links each aspect of the landscape. Wandering through the garden, you’ll come upon terraces and foot bridges poised to look out over a pond adorned with water lilies. Elsewhere, a rockery and waterfall create a commanding tableau.

A rare and choice Quercus species...

Spacious pavilions with tile roofs, covered bridges, craggy limestone rocks representing cloud configurations, and mesmerizing mosaics are among the Chinese Garden’s compelling aesthetic features. Around every turn, a unique view emerges; while gazing out from the Knowing the Fish Pavilion or from the shelter of the Moon Locking Pavilion ... you’ll perceive vistas designed to appear distant: the Clouds Bridge and Tower of Cosmic Reflections.

Intimate vignettes catch the eye. Plum blossom on cracked ice - a mosaic stone pattern emerges underfoot:

An illustrious carved panel draws you in at eye level.

Plants sourced in the Pacific Northwest encompass species indigenous to China, all sited to artfully accompany the architecture. Amid the garden’s emblematic mountains and stirring water features are pomegranate, peach, osmanthus, Chinese paper bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) and magnolias, arising as alluring accents surrounding the Hall of Brocade Clouds.

In the courtyard outside the Scholar’s Study - the Celestial Hall of Permeating Fragrance - the perfume of gardenias and wintersweet lingers on the air.

Roof tiles in the Scholar’s Courtyard incorporate specially designed drip tiles that produce a calculated effect, and as a consequence, beads of water create a melodious sound when raindrops fall.

As mentioned in my introductory post, the two-story Tea House, the Tower of Cosmic Reflections will provide a refreshing respite: A fine place to observe enchanting views.

Gardenia 'Kleim's Hardy'

Experience a sense of retreat from the sounds of the surrounding neighborhood in the reflective atmosphere of Portland's Classical Chinese Garden,

holding the promise of enthralling sensory and seasonal pleasures all year-round.

Part III .... to follow

Bay Area Tendrils ... link to Part I

Tea & Turnip Cakes at Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Portland Classical Chinese Garden 

Part 1

A brief introduction to the Portland Chinese Garden:

A tranquil oasis that will be expanded upon in future posts.

The delicious selection pictured: Organic White Dragon Tea and Turnip Cakes - Lo Bo Gao - I arrived early in the morning, before the garden opened for the day. After strolling for an hour or so with Glin Varco, the garden's horticultural manager, I took time out for a break before continuing along on my own.

A glimpse of the patio, and small table and chairs outside the Teahouse - operated by the Tao of Tea. The teahouse is the Tower of Cosmic Reflections. I took a seat in the shade, near the Teahouse doors, where Belamcanda chinensis nodded in the breeze, over my shoulder. Could anything possibly improve upon the beauty of the serene setting on a perfect summer day... I wondered, or such a delightful interlude....

A glimpse of the patio, and small table and chairs outside the Teahouse - operated by the Tao of Tea. The teahouse is the Tower of Cosmic Reflections. I took a seat in the shade, near the Teahouse doors, where Belamcanda chinensis nodded in the breeze, over my shoulder. Could anything possibly improve upon the beauty of the serene setting on a perfect summer day... I wondered, or such a delightful interlude....partaking in refreshingly fragrant tea complemented by savory turnip cakes?

My timing could not have been better, after all. Along with the tea service, The Melody of the Purple Bamboo began to fill the air; traditional Chinese music played by a musician seated in the Teahouse.

A Living Green Wall - Portland's Hotel Modera

Hotel Modera 'Living Wall' - Portland Oregon

Living Wall Designed by Lango Hansen Landscape Architects working with Hoist Architecture

Referred to as mid-modern, Hotel Modera boasts a gracefully horizontal architectural style: The building resting with a comfortable elegance on its downtown Portland site.

An extensive renovation reinvented the property's ambiance, with earth tones adding warmth to the interior's hip, contemporary layout. The beautifully designed Nel Centro restaurant opened in May; its outdoor patio area integrated with Hotel Modera's courtyard. I found Nel Centro's food, wine and service consistently delicious and satisfying after enjoying a number of meals there.

The 13' vertical green wall at Hotel Modera lured me to book a visit.

The wall adorns a spacious public courtyard designed by Lango Hansen Landscape Architects, working with Hoist Architecture.

The resulting space is sleek and modern; comfortable and inviting.

Bringing order to the design: A central wooden walkway combined with a glass canopy; voluminous corten steel planters set apart by the material's rich rust-colored surface; and corten steel and orange glass cullet fireplaces arranged around the courtyard.

The Columbia River Gorge inspired the designers to incorporate native plants. The corten steel planks, set in the wall, reflect the color of stone seen in the Gorge area, while the wall's vegetation is meant to mimic the Gorge's textural vegetation.

Nine species of plants include evergreen huckleberry, coast strawberry, wood fern (Dryopteris expansa), and licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza).

Sand filters storm water runoff at the bottom of the wall. At the pinnacle of the wall, conifers and deciduous trees are planted to conceal the top section of the garage ramp.

Link below to a trove of great Green Portland Destinations:

PORTLAND

Wildflowers and Veggies - Eco-Roof, Portland County Building

Portland, Oregon

Photos and Text Copyright © Alice Joyce

Multnomah County Bldg Green Roof Photo © Alice Joyce

Multnomah County Building Eco-Roof

According to the brief found online, the green roof on Portland's Multnomah County Building headquarters is expected to double the life of the roof.

Speaking from experience,

I'd say the project achieved its stated goal:

To create a landmark demonstration ecoroof with amenities such as a stone terrace and educational signage.

Multnomah County Bldg Green Roof Grasses/Wildflowers/Skyline Photo © Alice Joyce

I missed meeting with the county's sustainability manager, Kat West, when I stopped by to see the ecoroof, but Kat had messaged me about the picturesque quality of the plantings,

covering 12,000 sq. ft., and she mentioned the roof's organic vegetable garden, which provides produce for donation.

Views of the roof's wildflowers and grasses can be enjoyed from buildings in the neighborhood.

For your own up-close look at the Multnomah Building's eco-roof

at 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, take note:

Open to the public during regular business hours;

take the elevator to the 5th floor.

Link to Carlton Hart Architecture for an overview of the project.

Noble Rot .. a Whirlwind Tour of Portland

Living Carpet of Texture & Color: Eco-Roof, Portland Central Library

Eco-Roof  - Multnomah County Central Library, Portland, Oregon

A high point of my Portland foray: Touring the Central Library's new Eco-Roof with John Cabrera, Facilities Supervisor.     Photos Copyright © Alice Joyce

Completed in September, 2008, the structure utilizes 24" x 24" pallets, which added to the ease of installation. The 4" deep soil blends organic and inorganic materials, mixed with Zebra, a water-retentive product made from natural cornstarch.

Multnomah County Library Eco-Roof - 801 S.W. 10th Avenue - Portland, Oregon

Photos and text: All Right Reserved © Alice Joyce

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The benefits of the roof are numerous. Plantings help to capture the majority of stormwater runoff, cut down on the cost of electricity for heating and cooling, and absorb UV rays.

The roof features some 17,000 plants; drought-tolerant sedums and grasses that create a wildlife habitat, and reduce air pollution. An eco-roof is believed to filter the air, actually removing airborne particles, as it absorbs carbon dioxide.

A look at the photos reveals the roof's aesthetic element: A rich textural carpet knit of an abstract pattern that changes with the seasons.

The summer scene pictured: One of peachy pink tones melded with brick red and mahogany hues alongside pale blue-grey & shades of green, with yellow blooms and feathery inflorescences!

Information about tours of Portland's Central Library Eco-Roof :

http://www.multcolib.org/events/ecoroof.html

Click on links for more about the Portland Area:

http://bayareatendrils.blogspot.com/2009/07/exquisite-rush-of-cascading-water-ira.html

http://bayareatendrils.blogspot.com/2009/07/art-in-garden-with-purpose.html

Noble Rot .. Hotel Monaco: Whirlwind Tour of Portland's Green Scene

Portland is on top of the Green movement!

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT © ALICE JOYCE

I stayed a few nights at the Kimpton Groups' Hotel Monaco -Green Seal/Silver Tier certified. Eco-attributes include a basket to recycle glass & paper (just like at home), and complimentary bicycles, so Tom could enjoy his usual mode of transport. A pet-friendly establishment, to be sure.

Hotel Monaco is located in Portland's TriMet fareless zone. I took full advantage of the city's streetcars and MAX light rail, an incredibly tourist-friendly mode of getting around when you don't feel like walking. I traveled from downtown to the Pearl District for lunch, went back to visit the Portland Art Museum, and hopped on a streetcar once again to go out for dinner. The convenience of light rail allowed me to arrive fresh for a morning appointment at the Classical Chinese Garden, and return downtown for an afternoon tour of the eco-roof of the Multnomah County Central Library.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

More on Portland's green roofs and living walls in the days ahead. I began my roof top touring with the productive kitchen garden at Noble Rot, where Chef/Co-owner Leather Storrs allowed me to nibble my way through the aisles! It's a 3000-square-foot roof top garden at this downtown Restaurant & Wine Bar. The Noble Rot web site states: Ask for a tour... and I say, go for it! Noble Rot moved to 1111 East Burnside in February, 2009, if I'm correct, where the restaurant occupies the 4th floor of an LEED platinum building with an underground aquifer for pure water. The eco-roof factors into the rating. The garden features 50 of these shallow kiddie pools, with 3 inches of soil and a layer of perlite on the bottom.

Among the savory edibles growing in a corner of the garden are tomatoes & Tromboncino squash, a delicately flavored zucchini with no seeds in the body of the vegetable. 3000-square-foot roof top garden at Noble Rot Restaurant & Wine Bar.

A lushly painted canvas, H. foetidus, adorns the restaurant's entryway.

Raised planters in Noble Rot's chemical-free garden.

Chef Leather grows peppers, horseradish, various basils,

as well as lettuces, herbs & flowers for his 'roof greens salad.'

Herbs and Mediterranean low-water plants grow in the eco-roof area.

Noble Rot's outdoor terrace is below this corner of the garden: a great view of downtown from here!

Hydroponic tubes - nasturtiums & parsley among the plants cultivated here.

Shiso (Perilla)

I sampled stawberries, sweet tender cucumbers, a lemony form of cilantro, nasturtium bloom, and the delectable Tromboncino squash, which I will have to grow next summer at Tom's allotment garden!

Link to more....

Portland Destinations

Exquisite Rush of Cascading Water - Ira Keller Fountain, Multnomah Falls

Ira Keller Fountain - Portland, Oregon

Water is precious. As thoughtful citizens of the world, we're engaged in a dialogue about conservation and climate change. Gardeners especially must reassess aspects of water usage.

Ira's Fountain

Dedicated by Portland to Ira C. Keller  - "Strength and Beauty Come From Us - Not From Tyranny"

Columbia River Gorge

Yet the compelling lure of rushing water has a profound effect on our sensibilities. 

In nature, we gasp at the beauty of a waterfall.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

In Portland - a city of fountains - the Ira Keller fountain reprises, in all its contemporary angularity, the wondrous power of the natural world, encountered an hour or so outside the urban environment.

I wrote about the Keller Park fountain in the book, 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die.

Landscape architect Lawrence Halprin designed the spectacular setting: Associate Angela Danadjieva, designer of the interactive water feature, achieved her goal of providing access to water so that people might revel in its sensory pleasures.

Once again I seem to be posing the question:  

What is a Garden?

A note: While photographing the fountain, I spoke with a gardener from Portland Parks, and learned about the city's newest fountain; under construction near Burnside at Waterfront Park.   More to follow....