
You may remember that the week before last week, I went nursery hopping with a group of fellow garden geeks. That first post focused mainly on some of the cool plants from Xera Plants, this post will cover the second leg of our trip, to the always-wonderful Joy Creek in Scappoose.

It's no secret that Joy Creek is pretty much my favorite nursery in the Portland area, so I'm thrilled at any excuse to visit.

Joy Creek was the first place I saw an Amsonia in real life...and loved it instantly. Here, we see a newly-emerging Amsonia mingling with a Sedum.
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This striking reddish Euphorbia seems to pop up everywhere at Joy Creek...so beautiful!

I'm not entirely sure, but I think these serrated leaves are some type of Stachys...what do you think???

The only thing prettier than these little Epimedium flowers was the red-flushed foliage...gorgeous!
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I love how this Sedum cascades over the large rocks...sublime!

I find the crenelated edges on the foliage of this Teucrium quite fetching.

Ahhh...this really makes me miss my own Rheum palmatum...alas, it was not meant to be.
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How can you not love that foliage?!?

I don't think I've ever noticed quite how many Violets there were at Joy Creek before this visit...they were everywhere!
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And this charming little groundcover, Vancouveria, I think?

Hello, my little Pulsatilla!
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...especially when they are followed by seed heads like these!

Of course, a trip to Joy Creek isn't complete without visiting a few Clematis.

So elegant!

Paris in the springtime?

I'm not entirely sure what this is...but I loved it emerging green and vibrant from the remnants of last years' growth.

I'm not sure what this is...some type of large Lamium, perhaps?
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You never know what's around the bend of these paths.

Love these Iris leaves, like tongues of green flame.
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Gunnera always captures my imagination...like something truly prehistoric.

Few things seem so full of hope and life as do the unfurling fronds of ferns.

I hope I never get so old and jaded that I stop feeling a thrill at their appearance.

Love the light on these serrated leaves.
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Oh, and did I get anything? Well, in spite of dwindling (um, non-existant) free space, I have to limit my purchases, but did get some Knautia 'Ruby Star', which I have had in the garden for a few years and adore. I also got a trio of Persicaria affinis...which looks innocent, but can eventually for a matt of foliage 3-4' across, perfect for smothering Popweed, I think ;-)