Acer griseum for Great Winter Bark

As I walk through my garden, I marvel at all the color.  We should never forget the wonderful winter color some plants can provide with just the bark or stems.  The fall color of some trees can be a ‘given’ but it is a bonus is if there is also some winter interest with the bark.    Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) is a great example.  This tree looks nice at any time of year but once the leaves drop, the trunk and stems are exposed and it is easy to understand how it got the common name of Paperbark Maple.  A bonus in addition to the bark is that the foliage turns red in the fall.  I have seen Acer griseum used as a tree for street plantings and it looks nice all year.  In my garden I find Acer griseum to be very easy to grow to care for and I am surprised that it is not more widely planted.

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Sasa veitchii at Portland Japanese Garden

On Saturday, November 10, I had an interview with Noah Bell from Bamboo Garden in North Plains, OR.  I was asking about low growing bamboo, as not all gardens have the space for the larger types, and Noah suggested Sasa veitchii.  This bamboo may reach 3-5 feet in height but can be kept as a compact ground cover by trimming it to near ground level each spring.  It does best in some shade and might be an ideal plant for a slope or area where some erosion control is needed.  One of the unique aspects of this bamboo is that in the fall as the nights get cooler, the leaves wither at the margins and turn into what looks like bright white variegation.  Then in the spring, the leaves turn green.  It is considered winter hardy to zero degrees ferinheight.  The photo shown was taken by Noah at the Portland Japanese Garden on Sunday, November 11, and that would be a good location to see actual plants growing as a ground cover.  For more information on plants, for sale and cultural information; www.bamboogarden.com

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Dog Paws for a Cause

Al's Garden Center
16920 SW Roy Rogers Road in Sherwood
11:00am-3:00pm

Join Al's Garden Center in Sherwood for their first ever dog event, "Dog Paws for a Cause." 5% of the proceeds on this day, from the Sherwood store will go to the Bonnie L Hays Small Animal Shelter. Bring your well behaved best 4 legged dog friend and attend the event.  For event rules go to www.als-gardencenter.com.

The event will include:

-11:00am-3:00pm   
Meet local dog friendly businesses. Talk with representatives from the Puppy Playhouse, Nature's Pet, Sherwood Family Pet Clinic, Petco and more.

-11:00am-1:00pm  
Photos with Santa. Bring your camera and take your dog's picture with Santa.

-1:30pm Dog Show
Garden Celebrity Mike Darcy emcees a dog show featuring classes including: "Best Costume" and "Best Tail Wag." Registration is required to enter your dog into the dog show, each class limited to 15 dogs.

Register online at www.als-gardencenter.com.

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Free Admission Day at Portland Japanese Garden

Monday, November 12 will be a very special day for those wishing to visit the Portland Japanese Garden.  From 10am to 4pm on November 12, there will be no admission charge.  If you have never been to the Portland Japanese Garden, this is a perfect opportunity to make your first visit and if you’ve been before, you know what a beautiful place it is to visit at any time of the year.

The Portland Japanese Garden is located in Washington Park at 611 SW Kingston Avenue and is   just above the tennis courts at the International Rose Test Garden.  It is situated on more than five acres and features five traditional garden styles.  During this free admission day, there will be guides stationed throughout the Garden to answer questions and talk about the Garden’s history, culture and traditions.  

Free Admission Day is made possible with a grant from NW Natural.  I would encourage you to take advantage of this special offer and see the Garden while there is still fall color.  

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