The next stop on Saturday of our Hortlandia weekend adventure was Bella Madrona, aka The Garden of Sampson and Beasley, aka the home of Caper and Olive...
These two have been a constant for me since my first visit to this garden back in 2013 when the team was planning the Portland Fling. My heart broke a little when I learned this would probably be the last time I got to love on Olive, the black pug. They are such soft sweethearts.
Gerhard had requested this visit (he was one of the 2014 Fling visitors, and also did a great write-up on this visit, here) and I was thrilled when Geoff Beasley said yes to my request. This shot is looking back at the entrance, sans Caper and Olive.
This is the third spring in a row I've visited (2024 here, 2025 here), there's a certain kind of comfortable thrill (I know, that doesn't seem to make sense, but just go with it) when you visit a garden consistently enough to really know it. You know what lies "just around the bend", you anticipate favorite spots and vistas, and you are jolted out of that ease when you see something new.
This visit, on April 4th, is the earliest in the year I've been in the garden. Thanks to a mild winter, established plants, and tons of interesting hardscape and artistic elements it didn't feel early at all.
It was fantastic.
Marcia was right next to me when I paused to appreciate her face sculptures...
Melianthus major blooming, thanks to our mild winter.
Our merry band of garden travelers continued on to a stop at the Kuzma/Halme Garden (I was playing garden tour guide and didn't manage many photos, so there will be no post) and then to Cistus Nursery and a gathering at Rancho Cistus, the home of Sean Hogan and Preston Pew, where I also did not take photos. I suspect Gerhard will have a fabulous post though, so I will link to it when I can. Just one post left in this series for me! (it will be up next week)
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The request to visit mosaic artist Jeffrey Bale's garden during the Hortlandia weekend garden touring was unexpected. I'd not thought to include his garden on the itinerary, but was happy for the push to get in touch and see if Jeffrey was up for us stopping by. He'd been traveling around Mexico, but as luck would have it he returned in time for us to stop by on April 4th.
My friend Gerhard did a lovely write-up on Jeffrey and his rock mosaic work, so rather than attempt anything so thorough I'll simply refer you to Gerhard's post—here. I'm afraid we Portland locals take Jeffrey for granted, so it was nice to read Gerhard's post and feel the sparkle.
These are Jeffrey's own eyes, in the front steps up to his garden, watching over things when he's off traveling—which he does a lot. Reading Jeffrey's travelogues on his blog is a major source of inspiration for me during the winter months.
The front porch of the home Jeffrey lives in... (he also owns and rents out the house next door).
Looking to the left.
I was pointing my camera at the metal work above the front steps, but also got Jerry and Gerhard in the photo.
The front porch of the house next door.
And back over to Jeffrey's place, about to wander into the back garden...
Snake mosaic, the head is at the front corner of the pathway between the two homes.
Snaking along...
To the right...
Looking over my shoulder...
And towards the back garden...
Once you step into the back garden and look to your left the rockwork framed pond and niche wall draw your attention.
No matter how long I stare at the wall I don't think I will ever see all the details.
I thought that was a small C-3PO, but it has breasts, and hair.
Under the coverlet and pillows is a bathtub for relaxing.
Epimedium wushinense 'Salted Caramel' (the dark leaves).
This is a garden where you definitely need to look down.
Often.
The back of the house next door (it's all one continuous space). On my first visit to this garden I was attending a party that occurred here, in this house.
The banana (Musa basjoo) were just starting to emerge during our visit in early April.
This photo makes my heart happy, legends in the garden world! It was Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne (the couple in the center of the photo) who had asked to visit Jeffrey Bale's garden, That's Jeffrey on the right, and Marcia Donahue on the left. After this photo we all packed into various cars and headed south to the garden known as Bella Madrona, which will be the next in this series.
The Bit at the End
It feels strange to link to my own blog here, but... I am. Jeffrey Bale designed and built a couple mosaics at the O'Byrne's garden in Eugene, Oregon. Photos are included in a 2023 blog post I wrote here.
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