2012 ‘Inviting Vines V’ Garden Tour
The Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection present ‘Inviting Vines V’, a tour of five private gardens in Lake Oswego, West Linn and the Rogerson Clematis Collection garden at Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego on Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
See how local gardeners integrate these unique and beautiful vines in their versions of paradise: from a 60 year old collectors garden with unusual trees and shrubs on 1.7 acres, to a garden overlooking the Willamette River, one garden never before opened to the public, and a two acre garden filled with surprises and unusual plants including over 200 clematis and a hidden magical garden include distinctive peonies including a 6ft tall Tibetan tree peony.
The Rogerson Clematis Collection garden at the city of Lake Oswego’s Luscher Farm is multi-faceted. Clematis scramble among native and allied plants in the beech tree garden. Clematis on the sun-baked front bank hail from hot, dry climates and old fashioned cultivars mingle with shrubs and perennials in the gardens surrounding the historic farmhouse. In the founders garden 40 of Brewster Rogerson’s favorite clematis cavort among small trees and shrubs. A clematis test plot serves as a trial garden for seedlings and the greenhouse is home to plants waiting to be placed in the garden.
Clematis may be purchased the day of the tour at Luscher Farm.
Inviting Vines V is a benefit for the internationally acclaimed Rogerson Clematis Collection, a provisional member of the North American Plant Collections Consortium. The collection grows 700 taxa of clematis represented by over 1,500 plants.
Tickets may be purchased online below, at Dennis’ Seven Dees Nursery in Lake Oswego, Garden Fever, Portland Nursery on SE Stark, Joy Creek Nursery near Scappoose, Gardener’s Choice in Tigard, and 13th Street Nursery in Salem.
PURCHASE ONLINE HERE
GARDEN DESCRIPTIONS
The Susan & John Bates Garden
Susan and John Bates acquired this wonderful garden in 2002. It was developed over 60 years ago by Lady Anne and Sir James McDonald and contains magnolias, peonies, roses, rhododendrons, fuchsias and azaleas. Think of it as a collectors garden. The 1.75 acres includes an upper parkland with several varieties of unusual trees and shrubs with paths which wind down the hill. With the help of their gardener, Jay Miner, the Bates have preserved the same general style of the garden as the original owners while adding many plants from their previous garden plus rare asian species, including Arisaemas and also adding to the fuchsia, hellebore and clematis collections. Some trees to look for include: Trochodendron aralioides behind the living room, Cunninghamia lanceolata on the north path, and a Magnolia wilsonii with pendulous flowers on the south border. To the south of the house is the Chilean garden and at it’s edge, a large Lagerstroemia and Pomegranate, which are espaliered on the side of the house.
Sherry Sheng’s Garden
In Sherry’s garden you can “feast your eyes and rejuvenate your spirit in this lush and colorful garden on the Willamette River”. There are views of the river and garden from three different decks. Two dozen trees frame the sunny lot where flowers abound year-round and the many shrubs and perennials offer structure, texture and fragrance. The garden beds contain two water features designed and installed by the owners. A stroll through the garden promises close encounters with small songbirds, butterflies and hummingbirds. Looking up, you might spot red tailed hawks, ospreys and great blue herons enjoying the river’s bounty. Since the times this garden was included in the Garden Conservatory 2006 and Hardy Plant Society 2008 open gardens, the owners have added new planting combinations as well as additional paths, colored walls and garden art.
Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection & Garden, Luscher Farm
The display gardens at the collection are divided into themed areas. The Historic Garden encircling the 1900 farmhouse showcases clematis which were available around the time the house was built. The hot, south facing front bank is a perfect micro-climate for clematis in the Viorna group, including many North American natives. The majestic copper beech behind the farmhouse is the focal point of a garden populated with Japanese species and hybrid clematis and woodland companion plants. The terrace walk on the west side of the greenhouse is home to New Zealand and Mediterranean species and hybrids planted in gravel. The Founder’s Garden on the far side of the new “old” orchard features some of Mr. Rogerson’s favorite clematis in a mixed shrub border. Docents will be on hand to answer questions. Clematis will be for sale at this garden, at the north end of the big greenhouse.
Sophie & Lance Grebner Garden
Never before opened to the public. When Sophie and Lance purchased their house in 2008 they knew that they were taking on an overgrown garden that was past its prime. Friend and garden designer Teresa Dennis working with Lucy Hardiman helped the Grebner’s create a woodland garden under the canopy of large firs and maples. The original circular driveway was realigned allowing space for a gracious front entry and walkway. The back terrace is the pivot point for the garden with pathways branching off to the shade garden, perennial beds, and the vegetable area where stone raised beds segue into a seating area replete with a firepit where family and friends gather to indulge in s’mores. Sophie and Lance gave the designers carte blanche in selecting the plant palette resulting in a garden filled with collectors plants. Native fauna nibble around the edges. The garden is a haven for birds, coyotes appear from time to time and deer come through neighboring woods to munch at the salad bar.
Charlene & Bill Tuttle’s Garden
Charlene and Bill have been developing this delightful, two acre garden for 30 years. The garden begins in the front of the house where mixed perennial and shrub beds (highlighted by charming Chinese red garden structures) extend to the road. Charlene describes her gardening style as “enthusiastic plant collecting” and loves to find new and interesting plants for the garden. The garden collection includes, but is certainly not limited to, 200 clematis, 200 hydrangeas, 100+ peonies and fuchsias as well as dozens of hellebores and poppies. From the terrace at the back of the house the garden extends 500 ft down to the Tualatin River. In addition to the amazing collection of perennials and shrubs, the back area of the garden contains over 50 fruit trees and extensive berry and vegetable beds to the delight of neighbors and friends.
The Garden of Anne Jaeger
This 14 year old garden is the creation and joy of well known writer, Anne Jaeger. Flower borders filled with tall plants blend into a surround of Douglas firs and understory trees. This 1 acre garden is completely private; from the street you would never know it’s there. A stone path leads to a large arbor. Dulcy Mahar wrote of the garden: “Once under the arbor you are in a forest clearing where, when the moon is full, you might see Titania, the queen of fairies, and her king, Oberon, dance. Magic, magic, magic is all I can think. Some of the towering firs even have little foot-high doors with a rounded top (Hobbit doors) at their bases with a little circular window. ” A few of Anne’s favorites include hundreds of 12-18 ft. lilies, distinctive peonies including a 6ft tall Tibetan tree peony (Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii with single, bright yellow 5” flowers), herbaceous ‘Black Panther’ and Itoh/intersectional ‘Bartzella’ as well as hardy fuchsias which Anne calls the “ballerinas of the garden”.
