Sunday, 31 July 2016
After visiting Steve and John’s garden, we all headed to Oysterville in two vehicles to visit THE garden there. Pam Fleming (Seaside, Oregon city gardener extraordinaire) had especially asked to see it and had rounded up three other friends, Prissy (expert plant propagator), Sean, and Jim.
Just like my cats did, Riley the dog zoomed right in on Prissy. He knew she is an ally of animals with cats and five horses of her own.
Melissa (Sea Star Gardening) was working at the garden so got to walk around with us.
Going around the garden with three knowledgable plantswomen (Melissa, Pam, and Prissy) resulted in so much conversation that my enjoyment was deepened and yet my photos were fewer than usual.
Note how the backs of the chairs, below, match the round window, above.
We peeked into the still wet gleaming white paint job in the garage and then went round the back.
I was looking forward to my friends’ reaction to the allée of Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’ and their reponses did not disappoint.

the dreamy north lawn. The plan is to remove a couple of the old trees. I look forward to the before and after on that.
We noticed an especially nice hydrangea in the border by the lawn. The gardener waded into the garden to find the tag.
Le Vasterival is sold under the trade name First Editions Great Star. Here, you can read an excellent rant by Tony Avent about trade names being used instead of the real cultivar name. In the Oysterville garden, the tag proved that the source of ‘Le Vasterival’ had been a nursery that cares about the real name.
Around about this time, Sean managed to round up everyone but Prissy for a group selfie.
Undaunted in her desire to see the front garden, Prissy went right through the sprinkler, and so did we all.
Incredibly, there was some local controversy when the garden owner painted his house pink. Pink, the palest peachy blush at the very end of sunset, perhaps, or the faint pearly tint on the inside of a rare seashell.
Below: In the front garden, the Lavatera was yanked out moments after this photo was taken because it had a bad case of rust. It came out with one good pull. To its left, the silver plant had us all stumped. Later, I posted a photo to the Plant Idents Facebook group and within minutes had its name.
A Plant Idents reader added, “Interesting to meet this South African plant from the Eastern Cape. Looks like it stays much smaller up there than it does in habitat, where it gets large, shrubby and weeping. This specimen looks more like it’s low and herbaceous. I wonder at its water needs, as in habitat it is found adjacent rivers. May not be suitable for water thrifty Mediterranean climate gardens; too thirsty? I notice SM Growers in Santa Barbara dropped it from production.” Famous Colorado plantsman Panayoti Kelaidis added, “It grows in streams all over the Drakensberg: I have seen it six or more feet in height there.” I hope I can get one for myself from an online source.
We had to leave around five because Prissy had her five horses to feed.
I so much enjoyed seeing Pam and Prissy and meeting Sean and Jim. The latter two are selling their dream house in Gearhart, right on the beach. In case you desire such a home, here is the link, although I have reservations about sharing it. Having just met them, I do not want them to move away.
Next: My mother’s garden diaries for July of two decades ago, with non gardening entries and illustrations.
I just can’t get enough of that garden. Oh, hydrangea allee. The color of the house is nonpareil. Wonderful.
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So agree, Mary Beth.
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Beautiful garden!
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I enjoyed the tour you took me on, and now seeing it further in the season!
I too have ranted about tradenames. They are confusing to the customer, and they make it hard to find the real names when you are trying to index by botanical names. I appreciate the companies who do not indulge in it.
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Thanks, Debbie!
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The allee is a knockout.
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Wonderful tour, commentary, photos. Thanks!
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Thanks.
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