![dynamic duo 1326](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6975077915_9b9cc89a2d_b.jpg)
Les over at
A Tidewater Garden is hosting his
Winter Walk-Off Challenge again this year...which I somehow missed last year...oops! The challenge is to walk around your neighborhood and document what's going on...without showing any pics of your own garden.
![parrotia 1367](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6828975060_05150b9ace_b.jpg)
Right as we crossed the street I noticed that our Neighbors who planted a pair of Parrotia at the same time as us (through
Friends of Trees) have foliage emerging already! When we got home later, I saw ours did too! I have to admit, I think their trees look a bit better than ours, they have such wonderful, open branching structure.
![neighborhood walk 1366](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6828974704_33d02ef443_b.jpg)
The neighborhood cat, Boots (who is pretty much our cat now) decided he had to accompany us on our walk, even though I'm pretty sure he's never ventured this far from our house before (judging from his alarmed cries when he lost sight of us a few times)!
![spring bulbs 1365](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6828974226_d9a8fffb03_b.jpg)
Spring is in full swing here in Portland, as evidenced by this display of cheery bulbs. I always love this little display, even though once it's over, there isn't much going on in this spot. Someones needs to add a few plants for the rest of the year. Perhaps I'll sprinkle a few seeds here next time I walk by.
![grape hyacinth 1364](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6828973580_55411bc057_b.jpg)
Grape Hyacinth
![bark 1363](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6975097701_9422093182_b.jpg)
Some people obviously prefer to NOT spend much time working on their yard, hence the yard o' mulch seen here.
![mossy wall 1362](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6828972466_582e636256.jpg) | | ![cool fence 1357](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6828969638_2fc51b12c4.jpg) |
Portland spring=lots of moss! | | At first glance, I thought this was just an ordinary fence... |
![cool fence 1358](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6828970206_7e756f5b67_b.jpg)
As we got closer, however, I noticed the entire upper portion was strung with crazy, rusty metal cutouts! Some had a vaguely nautical theme...
![cool fence 1356](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6828969086_9219f24011_b.jpg)
...while the rest were musical in nature. I did wonder what the story was behind them. I noticed the house behind the fence was being totally gutted.
![green house with eucaluptus 1385](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6830952308_710f056db8_b.jpg)
This is one of my favorite houses in our area...just LOVE the green paint, the fence, everything! Their yard looks good all the time...actually , my only complaint is that this is pretty much what it always looks like, everyday, forever and ever. It's certainly nice for me as a passer-by, but I think it'd get a little old after a while if I lived there. I DO wonder what their back yard might look like ;-)
![eucalyptus 1384](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6830951694_f3464082c4_b.jpg)
They have one of the biggest Eucalyptus trees I've seen around Portland...so pretty.
![big green house 1380](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6830948090_262fe141b5_b.jpg)
Another large house a block or so from us...I can't imagine what it'd be like to have such a big house...egads! I always enjoy walking past their house, especially in summer.
![Euphorbia bloom 1377](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6977073729_bd810957bd.jpg) | | ![weeping willow 1375](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6830945330_14f0c9f2c8.jpg) |
Willow Blooms | | Euphorbia blooms forming |
![house with wall 1360](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6975095691_61ae8e370f_b.jpg)
The people who live in this house had this stone wall installed soon after we moved to the neighborhood...I always want to ask how much it cost them...but I'm pretty sure it would make me cry.
![spirea 1355](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6975093159_2b2c3c96b8_b.jpg)
Most of the plants that the house above are just emerging, including the amazing leaves on this Spirea...love that color!
![manzanita 1354](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6975092747_0e1dc6699d.jpg) | | ![fruit tree lessons 1350](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6975090515_c33df4880c.jpg) |
Manzanita | | Fruit Tree Lessons |
One of the things I realized while on the walk was how much I didn't know about my neighborhood! I was also amazed at how many people were out and about. I wondered what was going on in the photo above, turns out it was some sort of class about growing fruit trees...very cool!
![rosemary 1353](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6975092255_e75b0f6638_b.jpg)
Portland's mild climate means that Rosemary can grow to truly shrub-like proportions! These were about as tall as I am! Granted, they tend to look a bit ratty by the end of winter, they usually recover once spring hits.
![rosemary 1352](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6828967002_07dae0d7bf_b.jpg)
In addition to the fabulous fragrance, the Rosemary are sporting their wonderful blue flowers right now.
![yard in progress 1349](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6975089961_6ccba60c5a.jpg) | | ![stone stairs 1348](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6828964810_0eb7630692.jpg) |
This house seemed to be in the middle of an extensive renovation. | | I was so envious of these stone steps...wouldn't this look about a bajillion times nicer than our cement ones...for sure! |
![dynamic duo 1381](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6830948744_0a16466923_b.jpg)
These two houses are some have some of my favorite yards in our 'Hood. They have a really nice mix of plants and are pretty sympathetic to each other.
![dynamic duo 1346](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6975088375_76a963e33e_b.jpg)
Both of them also leave up their plants for the winter, making it pleasant and interesting for such a long time. They actually still haven't cut things down, including this sedum. Now I kind of miss mine.
![dynamic duo 1347](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6828964248_ee88ec63b2.jpg) | | ![dynamic duo 1341](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6975085535_4245895a40.jpg) |
I kept seeing this plant around town, which I'm assuming is some sort of Euprhorbia....but not sure...does anyone know for certain? | | I actually almost backed into this cactus while taking photos...yikes! |
![dynamic duo 1343](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6828961960_d888b8cfc0_b.jpg)
I find a lot of Euphorbias to be a little dull during summer, but in spring, they are fantastic!
![dynamic duo 1338](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6828959362_e7840e1386_b.jpg)
There were a few little Calendulas already (or maybe still) blooming along this charming brick path.
![dynamic duo 1339](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6975084733_5a7e88cb2c_b.jpg)
I loved the stately Euphorbia at the far end of the brick path...really like all the grasses left standing.
![dynamic duo 1336](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6828958230_8f58503d64_b.jpg)
Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima) makes a great backdrop for spring bulbs, like this Daffodil.
![dynamic duo 1337](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6828958816_2cafe43484_b.jpg)
Emerging Peony foliage is always so striking!
![dynamic duo 1335](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6828957776_f843303670_b.jpg)
I really liked this subtle piece of garden decor...especially the mossy, fluted column.
![dynamic duo 1334](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6828957208_3389996f24_b.jpg)
Sempervivum still showing their sultry winter colors.
![dynamic duo 1333](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6828956712_f0851840d6_b.jpg)
I'm a terrible person...I have no idea what these purple flowers are.
![dynamic duo 1332](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6975081013_d6c23dc911_b.jpg)
I think almost every garden in our neighborhood has at least a few Bergenia.
![dynamic duo 1330](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6828955230_0e1f3b9e0c.jpg) | | ![dynamic duo 1329](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6828954796_2cbd79914e.jpg) |
Paperbark Maple - so very beautiful. | | I just love the play of colors and textures in this garden...so very striking. |
![dynamic duo 1328](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6975079041_12058e97c2_b.jpg)
A wide shot of the above.
![dynamic duo 1327](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6975078421_293916f6bc_b.jpg)
Believe it or not, this concrete wall is only a few years old!
![fiesty squirrel 1323](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6975076487_4b0f5bd511_b.jpg)
If there's one thing we have plenty of, it's fiesty squirrels...this one performs some acrobatics to get at some bird seed.
![fiesty squirrel 1324](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6828952174_da6214a82d_b.jpg)
He did not seem particularly thrilled by my attention.
![tree peony 1322](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6828951290_60950a0a18_b.jpg)
One surprise on our walk was a planting of Tree Peonies...which I hardly ever see outside of the Chinese Garden.
![kitty 1321](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6975075659_cf466e9c8d_b.jpg)
A friendly Tabby decided to follow us for a few blocks, begging for some love.
![pieris house 1319](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6828949706_db1946a413_b.jpg)
I always think this house has a nicely-done yard/garden...stuffed to the gills with plants!
![pieris 1320](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6828950416_f8be18e391_b.jpg)
Pieris is one of those plants I totally don't even notice until it blooms...and these folks have one of the nicest ones I've seen.
![side garden 1318](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6975074071_712945276e_b.jpg)
While fairly quiet at the moment, in a few weeks, the floral show will start...and will last for months.
![hellebores 1317](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6975073421_d84422d10c_b.jpg)
Peaking around the corner, they have a variety of Hellebores in bloom now.
![seed pods 1316](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6828948084_494fd31ed8_b.jpg)
I don't know for sure what shrubs this was on...but love these seed pods!
![boots 1315](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6828947606_1194445420_b.jpg)
Boots couldn't quite help himself...had to explore a bit.
![eucaclyptus 1314](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6975071911_45148753e1_b.jpg)
These folks also have a fairly large Eucalyptus in their parking strip. I couldn't smell it on this day, but on warm summer days, I can catch the scent from a few feet away.
![libertia 1310](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6828944544_b97214d9f5_b.jpg)
I loved the bronze foliage of these Libertia in their parking strip.
![magnolia 1313](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6975071411_c7685a0fce_b.jpg)
The prehistoric flower buds are forming on another neighbor's Magnolia. These are the same people who have a huge fig tree in their parking strip that I have to walk past/under on my way home from my bus stop...when it starts dropping its fruit it is the biggest, stinkiest mess EVER!
![daphne 1312](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6975070873_4cb45c9097_b.jpg)
Another plant I think almost everyone in our 'Hood has in their yard is Daphne...which is great for me, because I get to enjoy the fragrance without having to plant it in my own garden ;-)
![cute paint * Yard 1309](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6828943972_c63669c0cc_b.jpg)
I kinda love this charming little house. It's funny, it seems like all the houses in our area are either modest little houses (like ours) or enormous ones (like the house just previous to this).
![decorated garden 1307](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6828942736_46636a8456_b.jpg)
Another house a few blocks from us has some of the most personality of any garden in our neighborhood.
![tools 1305](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6828941584_e71ba577de_b.jpg)
They have lots of handmade ornaments and structures...as well as lots of objects placed about.
![division 1306](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6975067109_752f97c77b_b.jpg)
I do like how they used these pseudo-fences to divide their space up...they do create the illusion of moving from one space to another.
![willow 1304](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6828940876_e6b80a58c6_b.jpg)
Even though a lot of yards don't have "gardens" in them, they might have one or two interesting plants...like this crazy, twisty willow.
![asian fence 1301](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6828939222_5517b7b29a_b.jpg)
A surprise was this house, which I've never seen before. They seemed to have really taken the Asian theme and run with it.
![metal ball 1303](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6975065333_3290fe4559_b.jpg)
I loved this rusty metal sphere (which was pretty huge) surrounded by the grasses...so simple...I would never have this much restraint!
![asian fence 1302](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6828940178_a70c028f8a_b.jpg)
Again, really interesting and well-done...I don't know if I would have added all the details to the house as well...but hey, more power to them!
![paths 3 1298](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6975062911_858a9f1953_b.jpg)
I kind of fell in love with this house the second I saw it...so cute...and love the porch!
![paths 2 1297](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6975062087_8c7f44c92d_b.jpg)
It also had my favorite yard of all the houses we visited! Looking back, I realized I loved it even though most of the plants were still dormant!
![paths 1 1296](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6828937012_7eca85a303_b.jpg)
It was these metal-edged, gravel paths that really captured my imagination. I loved how they curved and intersected. I think the reason I really liked it is that it proved a blank slate for my imagination to run wild. In my mind, it was filled with all MY favorite plants...I'll have to come back in a few weeks/months and see what it actually looks like once it's filled in. Who knows, I could be VERY disappointed!
![paths v 1295](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6828936232_64bf96331e_b.jpg)
I leave you with a parting shot of my new dream-house and garden. Oh, what I couldn't do with all that SPACE!