Saturday, July 12, 2008

Classical Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon


I was reading  Steve Snedeker's blog and found in his June posts how he was involved with the construction of the Classical Chinese Garden in Portland.  I
was  surprised to find it was only three years old when I was there in 2003. It looked like an established garden that had been around forever.  

I have always remembered the unusual Buddleia colvilei 'Kewensis', largest of the butterfly bushes capable of forming a small tree. That was five years ago. I wonder what it looks like today. While searching I ran across the Classical Chinese Garden Master Plant List.

Steve is working on a pool project now and you can read about it on Steve Snedeker's Landscape and Gardening Blog.



10 comments:

Steve said...

Well Bless you, Donna! You just made my weekend! I want to thank you for including me in your blog and for faving me like that.

I warn you though, I am pretty easy to please - I should mention that up front.;-)

The Chinese Garden Project was the single most fascinating project I ever worked on. And for so many reasons, I can't even say, but among them was the fun of working around the Chinese workers. Most of those plants in that garden were gathered......semi-purchased, I guess you could say. Some people actually just wanted those plants out of their gardens, lol. Others, we literally had the brass to ask if they wanted to donate them. It's funny what a challenged budget can make you do.

My blog is pretty construction related. It's not for everyone, I suppose, but I feel I need to post on things I know. It touches everything, in one way or another, though and has been a great trade for me.

I have seen your blog in my travels around Blotanical and I always wanted to see more. I think I actually did fave you once, lol.....honestly. But my not so nimble internet ways interfered and I think I lost you, lol. It is not complicated - I am not smart!

At least i got that going for me!

Mother Nature said...

You are so welcome, Steve.
I wonder how many thank yous I have missed sending. I joined at the bussiest time of the year for me and was struggling becoming familiar with the site. I sincerely appreciate everyone's comments, picks, faves, etc.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Chinese Garden Donna. I loved the slideshow and the butterfly tree was beautiful.

Eve said...

Steve, a challenged budget is all I know. I try to have a champagne garden on a beer budget..LOL

That is one beautiful slide-show. I am not disciplined enough to have a Chinese Garden. Mine is more overrun, cottage style. But I do love it.

Naturegirl said...

These gardens are absolutely stunning! Zen is the word!
Certainly a place of respite!
I noticed that you posted about Blogtanical..I'm listed there too!
A pleasure to meet you! Now those babies you posted are absolutely precious! A Canadaian gardener and nature lover! hello :)NG

Mother Nature said...

I'm glad you left a comment Nature Girl. I'm off to viist your site.
Donna

Mother Nature said...

Eve,
I love your cottage style.
Donna

Anonymous said...

I love your slideshow of the garden! I went there a few years ago and it is just so peaceful and beautiful. Thank you for such lovely pictures and a trip down memory lane.

Mother Nature said...

Cindy,
Portland has so many gardens to see...I'd like to go back.

M. D. Vaden of Oregon said...

I like the inside of the Chinese Garden better than the Japanese Garden - size put aside.

But the Chinese Garden pruning did not have quite the detailed craftsmanship that either a "Japanese" pruner or an arborist would employ.

The average visitor would not notice that part.

But I thought that the craftsmanship with the stone work and building was pretty darn cool at the Chinese Garden.

I need to find time this autumn to fit that, and Powell's books into one trip downtown.

Cheers,

M. D. Vaden
Beaverton, Oregon