Art-Inspired Gardening
ERIC NOTICES THAT THERE IS CLEARLY AN ELEMENT TO HER GARDEN THAT SEEMS ART-INSPIRED. The gardens and art appear married. Jan explains that art is at the center of who she is. And, she's found that art and gardening create an absolutely perfect marriage. Gardening allows her to explore and create with an artists eye, then take that inspiration home and recreate it in a watercolor painting.

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Hillside Home and Garden
THE FIRST HOME AND GARDEN IS A HILLSIDE LOCATION. Thus, this yard presents a lot of unique challenges. The owner has incorporated some wonderful hardscape elements, like rock walls and little vignettes throughout, which allow one to wander through the garden and see different levels of color and texture. There are also many beautiful focal points in this garden.

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Raised Beds
JAN AND ERIC START AT THE TOP LEVEL OF THE TERRACE GARDEN. Here they've installed some raised beds. These raised beds offer space for a variety of plant material. They've included vegetables for edibles but because this is an artists home they've added plants that provide color and inspiration for Anne and her students. This garden has a wonderful combination of annuals and perennials.

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Plants That Offer Fall Color
FALL CAN BE A TRICKY TIME TO FIND PLANTS WITH A LOT OF COLOR. Jan has done a great job of incorporating a number of nice, fall blooming plants. The Rosemarinus officinalis is stunning. Many don't realize how colorful Rosemary can be and it's a wonderful aromatic herb. And, it looks fantastic. There are various groundcovers throughout the garden. Isotoma fluviatilis and Sedum are two and they offer a variation in texture. The Sedum 'Herbstfreude' (Autumn Joy) is just now coming into its fall bloom and looks great.

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Creating Living Spaces On A Hill
JAN AND ERIC ARE NOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN LOOKING UP. It's always interesting to see how a designer will take a challenging site, like this, with a really steep grade, and create something new and exciting. Eric thinks the way it has been put together is fantastic. The rock walls have taken what was a steep incline and carved little vignettes where people can dine and meander through the many layers of the garden. They also make it manageable because they've created nice, flat tiered areas that are then conducive to little individual gardens.

Click here for more info

Lithia Springs Resort
LITHIA SPRINGS RESORT AND GARDENS IS UNIQUE in that it's tucked in the hills of Ashland and removed from the hubbub of the city. When visitors come here they feel as if they have stepped into a little sanctuary. It has 4 acres of landscaping and open spaces which allows them to host many different special events. It is a lush and tranquil setting with neat plants everywhere.

Click here for more info

The Grape Arbor Area
THEY NEXT CHECK OUT THE GRAPE ARBOR where there is a wonderful blend of ornamentals and edibles. This is one of Jan's favorite spots. It has a beautiful lawn area that is fenced with the beautiful grape arbor. Jan has incorporated a lot of edibles into this area. The Vitis vinifera (Grapes) are table grapes but additionally they have special things like a thorn-less Rubus fructicosus (Blackberry) and Rubus strigosus (Raspberry). In this area Jan gathers edible flowers that are used as garnishes for some of the dishes served to guests. Eric notices another under-utilized ornamental, Humulus lupulus (Hops) which is also an edible.

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Walkways
ERIC NOTICES THAT EVEN THE WALKWAYS ARE ATTRACTIVE and lined with beautiful plants. And the pathways are nice and curvy which invites people to take their time, meander through the garden, to really take time to stop and smell the roses. That is by design, they like for the guests to walk down the sidewalks, brush against the herbs and ornamentals and enjoy the fragrance. Accordingly they've integrated a lot of Lavendula (Lavender) and Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) as well as some English Rosa. Some of the Lavender is getting quite old, getting woodier, and as well, they had a lot of snow this past winter and some of the plants were damaged by the snow. They feel, at this point, they're not lending themselves to the aesthetics of the garden and they're in the process of replacing some of these plants.

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The Pond
IT'S THE POND. On a hot summer day it doesn't get much better than this. It has shade, peace and tranquility. It also has a special place in Jan's heart because her father designed and did most of the installation of this pond. And when she says pond-it's actually a creek. It incorporates 3 separate pools as well as the waterfall at the top. It has a natural feel with the water coming out of the rocks, gurgling down and into a larger pool and at the very end a herd of Koi.

Click here for more info

 

LINKS:

Jacksonville, Oregon

Lithia Springs Resort and Gardens

Garden Smart Plant List

Complete transcript of the show.

Just because winter weather is coming doesn't mean we can't have some gardening fun. In this episode Garden Smart visits two charming, historical towns with fantastic gardens in southern Oregon.
Jacksonville, Oregon is a town rich in history and tradition. Terri Geig is a proud resident and President of the Chamber of Commerce. Terri is wearing a victorian outfit typical of those worn in times past. The women wear this type clothing several times a year for special events. Gold was discovered in Jacksonville in 1851 and the town sprung up shortly thereafter. The town is in almost the same condition today, actually better, than it was at that time. Jacksonville has received historic landmark designation for the entire town, thus they take great care of the buildings. They have over 100 buildings on the Register. The people in Jacksonville are wonderful, they've come here to live because they want to live like their grandmother might have lived. There's a lot of patriotism, a lot of volunteerism and everyone tries to help one another. There is a sense of community pride that's palpable. This is evidenced in the beautiful buildings, even the wonderful plantings throughout the entire downtown. The many gardens that line the streets are readily visible upon arriving in town. Equally impressive are the private gardens. Jan is the creator and caretaker of many of these gardens.
Eric next visits with Jan. Jan has had a passion for being outdoors most of her life. Her Dad inspired in her the love of gardening and has been gardening since childhood. The past 25 years she has lived in southern Oregon where she has had the opportunity to work in some really unique, private gardens. She relishes the opportunity to add detail and specialized caretaking to these gardens. Jan feels very fortunate to be involved with some very special people and their gardens.
ERIC NOTICES THAT THERE IS CLEARLY AN ELEMENT TO HER GARDEN THAT SEEMS ART-INSPIRED. The gardens and art appear married. Jan explains that art is at the center of who she is. And, she's found that art and gardening create an absolutely perfect marriage. Gardening allows her to explore and create with an artists eye, then take that inspiration home and recreate it in a watercolor painting.
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THE FIRST HOME AND GARDEN IS A HILLSIDE LOCATION. Thus, this yard presents a lot of unique challenges. The owner has incorporated some wonderful hardscape elements, like rock walls and little vignettes throughout, which allow one to wander through the garden and see different levels of color and texture. There are also many beautiful focal points in this garden. That is because the owner, Anne Brooke, is a wonderful artist and uses her landscape as inspiration and subject matter. Anne wants plants like the Lace Top Hydrangea, Peonies and many others in the garden because they add inspiration for her and for her art students. Jan feels fortunate to have been able to paint and study with Anne both in her studio and in these gardens.
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JAN AND ERIC START AT THE TOP LEVEL OF THE TERRACE GARDEN. Here they've installed some raised beds. These raised beds offer space for a variety of plant material. They've included vegetables for edibles but because this is an artists home they've added plants that provide color and inspiration for Anne and her students. This garden has a wonderful combination of annuals and perennials. Zinnia elegans is one of Anne's favorite plants for her paintings. They offer color that extends through the season. Even though they've had some heavy rain the past few days the Zinnias are holding their own and offering a lot of autumn color. They do add a lot of color late into the season.
The beds are easy to maintain and easy to amend. Thus, Jan adds a lot of compost during the winter months. As well, the plant material stays contained, making it easier to work through the beds. And they stay warm. Because the sides are elevated which wouldn't occur in a flat garden, the sun is able to heat the sides. This means the soil warms quicker in the spring and with the sun hitting it it stays warmer in the fall. Raised beds are a great way to add a few weeks to the growing season. Jan feels that they can actually carry the winter greens for another month or two. Jan lines the interior of the raised beds with a screen mesh. This helps avoid the possibility of critters popping through. Many have trouble with moles and voles and other types of critters, this helps eliminate that problem.
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FALL CAN BE A TRICKY TIME TO FIND PLANTS WITH A LOT OF COLOR. Jan has done a great job of incorporating a number of nice, fall blooming plants. The Rosemarinus officinalis is stunning. Many don't realize how colorful Rosemary can be and it's a wonderful aromatic herb. And, it looks fantastic. There are various groundcovers throughout the garden. Isotoma fluviatilis and Sedum are two and they offer a variation in texture. The Sedum 'Herbstfreude' (Autumn Joy) is just now coming into its fall bloom and looks great. Amsonia tabernaemontana (Bluestar Cooper) is another fantastic groundcover. It's very colorful and has beautiful blue flowers in fall.
Eric likes the containers and the stunning combination of annual plants. Anne has chosen the cobalt blue containers because they're cheery and work well with her art. Jan added some plants with primary colors in the summer and they've extended into the fall. The Zinnias and Salvia look great, the Geraniums add a splash of red. It's a great combination.
One of the keys to achieving year round color in the garden is to use a wide variety of woody's, annuals and perennials. The Antirrhinum (Snapdragon) are putting on their last hurrah as the season finishes off. As well, they're enjoying the last of the blooms of the Hydrangeas and the roses are still showing a little autumn color. Additionally the Geraniums and Sunflowers are still showing color. These look great together, its a great combination of colors and Eric feels Jan has used the different types of plants very well together.
One of the central focus points of this garden is the beautiful pond and waterfall feature. This site was chosen to create an environment where Anne and her students could come and paint. The sound, the music of the garden, adds greatly to the ambiance. It's soothing. The green bridge is unusual, it provides an architectural feeling. Anne did quite a bit of research and it is an actual replica from Monet's garden. It adds a lot to the garden both visually and with the sound. Very nice.
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JAN AND ERIC ARE NOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN LOOKING UP. It's always interesting to see how a designer will take a challenging site, like this, with a really steep grade, and create something new and exciting. Eric thinks the way it has been put together is fantastic. The rock walls have taken what was a steep incline and carved little vignettes where people can dine and meander through the many layers of the garden. They also make it manageable because they've created nice, flat tiered areas that are then conducive to little individual gardens. Plus it allows for some lawn areas which wouldn't have been available with the slope. The grape arbor built into the patio area provides a secluded, private area. And as the seasons change the color of the grape leaves change as well. It adds real drama to the garden.
The large native trees add to the feel of this garden. They're unique. They have some wonderful mature, region specific, trees. Pinus and the Arbutus (Madrone) trees are setting berries which is a treat for their migratory birds, which is especially important this time of year. These huge trees provide a cool refreshing sense. Jan thinks it important to incorporate some deciduous as well as evergreen trees because this is a southern exposure, they provide needed shade.
Jan has shown us an example of how someone can take a challenging site that's fairly small and create wonderful little nooks and crannies with the end result being a beautiful, useful space. Jan next shows us a larger area/canvas.
Jan and Eric next visit Ashland, Oregon another really neat town not too far from Jacksonville. Ashland is a college town which brings its own special energy. It's a well supported art community and home to the Southern Oregon Shakespeare Festival which also makes Ashland unique. There is a lot going on in Ashland every day.
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This garden is very different from the first and it too presents a lot of challenges as well as opportunities. LITHIA SPRINGS RESORT AND GARDENS IS UNIQUE in that it's tucked in the hills of Ashland and removed from the hubbub of the city. When visitors come here they feel as if they have stepped into a little sanctuary. It has 4 acres of landscaping and open spaces which allows them to host many different special events. It is a lush and tranquil setting with neat plants everywhere.
Jan and Eric first look at the Iberis Candytuft and other silver foliage plants that line the walkway to the front door. Here they strive to let visitors never forget that this is a garden and the garden meanders through all the spaces. Jan likes to tuck in surprises everywhere. The entry way is an example. She has a miniature Cucurbita (Pumpkin) winding through the fence which provides a welcoming feel. Jan expands on the theme and incorporates some seasonal decor, containers and big pumpkins into the area.
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THEY NEXT CHECK OUT THE GRAPE ARBOR where there is a wonderful blend of ornamentals and edibles. This is one of Jan's favorite spots. It has a beautiful lawn area that is fenced with the beautiful grape arbor. Jan has incorporated a lot of edibles into this area. The Vitis vinifera (Grapes) are table grapes but additionally they have special things like a thorn-less Rubus fructicosus (Blackberry) and Rubus strigosus (Raspberry). In this area Jan gathers edible flowers that are used as garnishes for some of the dishes served to guests. Eric notices another under-utilized ornamental, Humulus lupulus (Hops) which is also an edible. Jan likes this plant because it has chartreuse leaves and is now fruit bearing. As a matter of fact they did some harvesting last week, some brewing and they now have a micro brew, a summer ale brewing in the potting shed.
The area is shady because of the grape arbor. But Jan doesn't want to let any space go to waste, thus, they have some great underplantings. For example, there are Hosta and Foxglove. In southern Oregon, because they have extreme periods of heat Jan puts things like Delphinium elatum in the shade. Even though it can tolerate some sun it tends to hold its color better in shadier spots. She's integrated Euphorbia into the area because she had a gopher problem, things were disappearing in a hurry and she has learned that the root of the Euphorbia is a natural deterrent to gophers.
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ERIC NOTICES THAT EVEN THE WALKWAYS ARE ATTRACTIVE and lined with beautiful plants. And the pathways are nice and curvy which invites people to take their time, meander through the garden, to really take time to stop and smell the roses. That is by design, they like for the guests to walk down the sidewalks, brush against the herbs and ornamentals and enjoy the fragrance. Accordingly they've integrated a lot of Lavendula (Lavender) and Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) as well as some English Rosa. Some of the Lavender is getting quite old, getting woodier, and as well, they had a lot of snow this past winter and some of the plants were damaged by the snow. They feel, at this point, they're not lending themselves to the aesthetics of the garden and they're in the process of replacing some of these plants. Oftentimes we don't think about fragrance in the garden but it provides a whole new dimension, one we shouldn't overlook.
Jan started her garden days here at Lithia Springs floral arranging. Thus she still gathers a lot of what she grows here and it becomes a part of the floral design inside. These gardens have a comfortable, natural feel. Eric likes the way Jan has integrated plants, fragrance and floral design. It's great.
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Jan and Eric next visit an area that's a favorite for Jan. IT'S THE POND. On a hot summer day it doesn't get much better than this. It has shade, peace and tranquility. It also has a special place in Jan's heart because her father designed and did most of the installation of this pond. And when she says pond-it's actually a creek. It incorporates 3 separate pools as well as the waterfall at the top. It has a natural feel with the water coming out of the rocks, gurgling down and into a larger pool and at the very end a herd of Koi. If they come in herds? The sound of the water is magical and the pond is wonderfully designed.
They've tried to keep it natural looking, allowing them to invite a lot of butterflies and birds. As well they have a variety of turtles and frogs. They've used ornamental grasses and Bearded hybrid (Iris) as well as Buddleia davidi (Butterfly bush). All attract many migrating birds and summer butterfly. The Crocosmia bloomed all summer long and makes a nice show. The large Populus tremuloides (Aspen) that flank either side are impressive as is the grove of Aspens behind. They all work together with the gurgling water to produce a sonic medley that is really quite relaxing. This part of the valley tends to have a little bit of a breeze in the summertime and sometimes a pretty good wind. When that happens the Aspen make a music all their own, it's delightful to come here and feel like you're a world away.
Jan tells Eric that she taught kindergarden for a number of years and when she decided that gardening was where she should be it occurred to her that it's really the same thing. It's nurturing from the ground up. When she taught kindergarden kindergarden was the foundation for the children, in the garden the same thing is needed. A foundation for the plants. Start with a good foundation, soil amendments and a good structural foundation and one can't help but be successful. Eric thinks that's good advice from a great gardener.
Eric thanks Jan for her time and for sharing these beautiful gardens. We've learned a lot about things we can do with small spaces, with large spaces and a lot of valuable tips. Thanks Jan.
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LINKS:

Jacksonville, Oregon

Lithia Springs Resort and Gardens

Garden Smart Plant List