One of the highlights of the Fling was to visit the Rhone Street Gardens, home of Fling organiser Scott, his partner Norm, assorted cats, neighbourhood chickens and a really cute house!
We had quite a long journey getting to Scotts garden, as we stopped at a railroad crossing for what must have been the longest train in North America. It felt like one of those cartoon moments where the train was on a loop, seemingly never ending, but get there we did and the garden was well worth the wait.
We hadn't been in the garden long when one inhabitants wanted to remind us who was the real star of the show, not the plants or people but another cute kitty! Portland seems to have more than its fair share of cute pets.
I loved the seemingly casual approach to planting, i'm sure the reality is considered as with a small space everything must earn its keep.
One aspect of the Fling that I particularly enjoyed was watching the other Flingers, one could have filmed a documentary just about the people and the way we were uite happy to march into the road for that perfect shot. What do you call a group of bloggers? A gaggle?, a murder? a flock of flingers?
Caption please... perhaps "you wouldn't believe the size of the one that got away"
I told you there were chucks!
But just as we were getting ready to go one final puss put in an appearance and the garden was again ignored!, plants pah! theres a cute kitty instead :)
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I wish I had been there! It looks like a fun garden, complete with chick and kitty!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been great if you were there Debs! Perhaps you can make it to one of the future flings?
DeleteOh, such lovely photos of what is such a charming garden full of heart. I love Rhone Street, so many incredible grasses, seed heads, flowers in a small garden that I too could have spent another hour just taking it all in. Great photos!!
ReplyDeleteScott takes amazing photos of his garden and it was wonderful to see it in person. So much interest and the planting is clever. A fab garden Tamara!
DeleteYou're so right in saying that Scott makes it look deceivingly simple. The layers of interest and nothing blocking it's neighbor (but rather framing it perfectly) don't just happen!
ReplyDeleteI like "flock of flingers" and certainly don't look like I'm buying whatever story it is that Gerhard is selling!
You looked really sceptical with whatever Gerhard was saying, lol!
DeleteAgree with you Loree, his planting frames the house beautifully.
You caught the garden from angles I haven't seen before - and great cat pics as well.
ReplyDeleteBTW, you may want to look at texasoutdoorsmen dot com - the site is re-blogging your posts (plus mine and some others).
That's one of the good things about other bloggers featuring familiar gardens of other bloggers, with their different take you get to see things you haven't noticed before :)
DeleteThanks for the heads up Kris, we're looking into that now...
Great post on one of my faves ...you got some beautiful photos ! Isn't it just incredibly cool to drive up to a garden you've seen so many photos of ?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Kathy :) and you feel lucky and privileged to have actually seen it in person (and the garden looks even more fab in the flesh).
DeleteWe need a caption contest, perhaps. There were a lot of animated conversations taking place throughout.
ReplyDeleteA group of bloggers--a "gobble"? a "boggle"?
Haha, true Gail! One of the best bits about the fling is the social aspect of it. Such fun chatting with other garden bloggers!
DeleteGreat post about Scott's garden! I've seen it before, but it was great seeing it through your eyes. I think we should call a group of bloggers a "blether" cause that's what they do. Or maybe a "gabble." They do that too.
ReplyDeleteGail has proposed gobble and boggle, from Alison gabble. Decisions decisions! :)
DeleteI had completely forgotten about that train! You're right, it felt like a moment from The Twilight Zone.
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people realize how difficult it is to create a small garden that doesn't look its size. Scott and Norm's garden appeared to be much bigger to me than it was because the layering of plants--and the use of space--was so masterfully done. I think it's a showcase of what can be done with the right selection and placement of plants.
Ahh you must be back from your fabulous trip Gerhard! Completely agree with you, the garden is a testament to the masterful skills of both Scott and Norm :)
DeleteYou captured the charm of this garden and its owners well. Scott, Loree, & the other hosts also deserve credit for appearing cool, calm, and collected in every single snap I've seen of them taken at what must've been several stressful days.
ReplyDeleteThe fling was a success Vicki and yes agree with you, all four of them have organised it so well and have remained calm and collected. The fling was an amazing experience :)
DeleteGreat photos of a lovely garden that I thoroughly enjoyed visiting! I too am absolutely astounded with how great the Fling hosts' gardens looked. Considering how hard I know they must have worked on keeping all of us in check and within the lines, I would have been extremely forgiving. Instead, I was impressed! I like Alison's Gabble of Bloggers, or Flock of Flingers. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed Anna :) it's amazing how well they have organised the fling and maintained impeccable gardens for us to see.
DeleteScott's garden was fab - even in the rain! We were there before you, listening to the sound of the train and wondering where you were. Then realisation dawned - you were trapped by the train!
ReplyDeleteThat was a long stretch of train carriages Michelle, train spotters would have been delighted :) The rain just added to the nice atmosphere at Scott's garden!
DeleteThis is a joyful garden with some fabulous planting combinations by the looks of your photos. I can quite understand forgetting the refreshments in favour of looking round the garden - I did the same recently when looking around the Piet Oudolf planting at Bury Court Barn. There's lots to inspire in this garden; must have been lovely to see it along with other bloggers and create some good memories.
ReplyDeleteIt was really lovely to finally see Scott's garden in person Caro, and with fellow garden bloggers too :) You mentioned Piet Oudolf, I think they take a lot of inspiration from him if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully you can attend one of the future flings!
DeleteA great lesson on how to use a slope to best effect. Oh that mine will ever look that good.
ReplyDeleteThey'll be pleased to read that Jessica :) And I'm sure yours could too!
DeleteOhh I missed the chicken!! This garden was perfect! and I had forgotten about that train, hehehe, you made me laugh remembering it.
ReplyDeleteThat was a long stretch of them wasn't it Lisa? It was actually quite mesmerising seeing it pass by mind you!
DeleteEven though I have seen hundreds of photos of Scott's garden, seeing it in person really put everything in its place -- and I now really understand how small and plant-packed it is! (I also didn't see the drinks somehow...)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Alan :) Now whenever we see Scott's future photos we can visualise their place and aspect even better.
DeleteI've had the pleasure of seeing Scott's garden in person in the past and it always looks this good! A masterfully planted garden and a joy to visit again!
ReplyDeleteLucky to have visited before Peter. I think Scott's garden would look great all year round :)
DeleteSuch a great photo of Scott, Norm & Boots.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki :)
DeleteI loved Scott's garden! It was just as beautiful in person...and bigger than I thought! How did I miss Norm, so glad you shared a photo.
ReplyDeleteNorm made an appearance to pose later on Gail. Fortunately we were there when he did :)
DeleteIt was such a delight finally getting to see Scott's garden in person! As you say, every square inch is filled with beautiful plants. This is my kind of garden filled with coneflowers, persicaria, agastache, and so many native plantings. It's no wonder the "wildlife" enjoy it, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, what they've done in the garden in a relatively small space has been astounding :)
Delete'Rhone Street Gardens' is one of my favourite garden blogs. Scott grows many plants that I like and takes such exquisite photos of them. Must have been great to see the garden in 'real life'.
ReplyDeleteIt was Anna, even more delightful in real life :)
DeleteI really enjoyed seeing some different angles on this always inspirational garden, so many great plant combinations.
ReplyDelete