Plant Nerd Road Trip - Part 2 - Kennedy School

Are you all ready for part 2 of our little field trip? I didn't think I'd have this done so soon, but the heat this weekend drove me inside, so I figured might as well work on this post :-)

While planning our field trip, Loree (of danger garden) happened to get a call from Sean Hogan (owner of Cistus) that Erich Petschke (the head gardener for McMenamins) had offered to give us a tour of the garden out at the Kennedy School. I used to drive past Kennedy School quite often when I lived in NE Portland, but hadn't been up there since we moved to SE, so I jumped at the chance to check it out!


The only view some people will ever get of the Kennedy School garden is the front, which you can see as you drive by. It's full, lush and vibrant. The day we visited, it was in full spring glory, with cherry trees blooming all over.


They have a huge (and expanding) patch of the ever-controversial Euphorbia griffithii. Known to be a rampant, thuggish spreader, it has formed numerous colonies throughout their front border area. I can't believe mine has been in the ground for 2 years now, and has never sent up more than 2 stems. Perhaps it's the brooding presence of the Saccharum grass that brow-beats mine into submission ;-)


I think the gracefully arching foliage of this Carex is simply sublime, especially covered in beads of rain.


I believe this is a form of Ribes (Currant). I have to admit, I kind of prefer the more floriferous, bright pink ones, though :-)


Those purple berries on this Mahonia are amazing, no?


I love how this tiny-flowered Ceonothus is locked in a struggle with the ghostly rubus cockburnianus.


Planting this Rubus could be a mistake in the future, as it seems to display all the wandering tendencies of its wilder cousins. Still, that white bloom on its branches makes it tempting, right?!?


I think the little seedpods of Callistemon are so cool. They remind me of insect colonies, wasps nests and such.

Climbing Hydrangea		Berberis

Erich pointed out that these wonderful, rusty ornaments were actually the old window counterweights used in the school's windows...talk about cool repurposing!


Acaena inermis purpurea is one of my favorite little groundcovers, seen here just starting to bulk up for the season.


Bouteloua is one of the most charming of our North American native grasses, it's a shame you don't see it more often.


Love how the rusty metal ornamentation is softened by the Euphorbia here.


The plant in this section (the dry "gravel" garden) that really anchors the area is this large Nolina. I was totally captivate by the wonderful, arching foliage, and how the emerging leaves form a sort of spiral.


Interestingly, this garden was created on the site of a former driveway, which was closed because of it's intrusiveness on the neighborhood...quite a nice solution, don't you think!


Some more garden ornamentation, I didn't think to ask what they were.

Sedum 'Vera Jamison'		Agave

One of several lovely Manzanitas on the property, they all looked so very happy.


While it may be dwarfed by the much-larger Nolina in the background, the sultry winter coloring of this Hesperaloe certainly makes a statement.


But you know who the star still is, right?


I'm always excited to see Persciaria 'Red Dragon' in any garden...you just can't beat it for foliage color, especially since it's practically indestructible.

Dry Bed		Nolina

I'm not sure what kind of tree this is, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying it!


This red-flushed Peony foliage is as lovely as any Japanese Maple.


The brambly stems of this Poncirus form quite the thicket, no?


I've always been fascinated by Tree Ferns...how can you not love them...so graceful.


Impatiens omeiana is one of those plants I can never quite believe is hardy.


The courtyard seating area is flanked on several sides by Cherry trees, which were putting on quite a show during our visit.


I'm assuming this is some sort of Magnolia, judging by that fuzzy flower bud.


The strange, succulent foliage of the Delosperma takes on an almost reptilian appearance upon closer inspection.


And I leave you with a shot of moss growing in the cracks of a pot...just a reminder that beauty can be found even in the simplest things. I hope you enjoyed this tour of Kennedy School...join me next for the last entry in our Field Trip, Xera Nursery!