One of the highlights of the Garden Bloggers Fling was to visit the gardens of fellow bloggers. This can be a strange experience as sometimes the layout of the garden or the size and perspective of the garden is different in ones mind to the actual garden. Chickadee Gardens is just five years old, although the garden feels much more established than that. Tamara grows a wide range of natives and maintains an environmentally friendly garden, that has been certified by the Backyard Habitat Certification Program.
Tamara's home is unusual compared to the neighbours, having a more 'Spanish' feel which combined with the planting, blue skies and garden decor created a wonderful place to escape.
The front garden spills into the street, with the planting in the verge (hell strip) extending the garden right up to the road side, with the pavement feeling like a private part of the garden rather than simply a public space. The planting up of the verge is more more common in Portland (and elsewhere in the States?) compared to at home. Whilst this is still the property of the city the responsibility for maintenance is down to the homeowner, and many make full use of this extra space.
You enter the rear garden along an attractive driveway under an arch that ties the house and garden together successfully.
Tamara guiding the garden tour.
Even the garden shed is an extra attraction..
Dem bones, dem bones...
I love the little detailing on the chimney stack of the house.
Cunninghamia lanceolata glauca
Hydrangea quercifolia
Thank you so much to Tamara for opening up your garden to us all, it was a delight to meet you, your husband and the beautiful cats. Gaz
