Close: An enclosed area around a church where people can meditate.

What a beautiful space I visited a few weeks ago. Though not at the height of its flowering show, the wisteria had already dropped its flowers, Bishops Close was an exquisitely formed garden. The framed views and curving garden beds create a space so serene that it is nearly impossible to not stop and sit on a bench and reflect on the beauty of creation. That miracle of which we are each a small delicate part.

Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop’s Close

11800 SW MILITARY LANE, PORTLAND, OREGON 97219

Multnomah Falls Highway Sign Before

Multnomah Falls Highway Sign After

Planter – facing highway – Before

Planter – facing highway – After

Planter – looking towards lodge – before

 Planter – looking towards lodge – after

Feeling overwhelmed by spring gardening chores? Know your yard needs some help but not exactly what? Consider a  2 hour Kahoots garden consultations to help you get back in the swing of spring gardening!

Dressed for Spring!

Taken Saturday April 29th, 2012.

Here’s a notable tourist photo taken in front of the falls in 1996, of the then president of Poland, Lech Walesa. In 1996 Lech Walesa stopped in Oregon to vacation with Portland friends. Being good Oregon tour guides they took him straight to Multnomah Falls. How many foreign dignitaries have you taken to Multnomah Falls?

President Lech Walesa of Poland
October 11, 1996
Photograph by: Christopher Gniewosz

Eddies White Wonder Dogwood – Cornus ‘Eddies White Wonder’

This lovely tree is a hybrid of our native Pacific Dogwood – Cornus nuttallii and the traditionally popular Cornus florida.

We are using the hybrid here instead of the pure native because of the trees location next to the highway with almost full sun exposure. The Pacific Dogwood is a sensitive species growing at the edge of woodlands in sheltered semi-exposed locations. Its proven to be particularly sensitive to pollution and human traffic. So, in the plaza, so close to the parking lot and hwy we are using the hybrid. Later in the fall, additional restoration planting on the path to the falls will include the pure native species.

Now that we’ve got the technical explanation for Eddies White Wonder out of the way, let me tell you why its going to be so spectacularly beautiful in the plaza!

Picture the walk up to the falls as it passes the lodge. Now, imagine that walk framed by lacy white blossoms in late April (If you haven’t noticed, Dogwoods are blooming right now all over town!). The white saucer sized blossoms will accent the the roaring white of Multnomah Falls. This is the most dramatic element of the new landscape design at the falls and why you will likely find me visiting the Multnomah Falls every April for years to come.

Where to find Eddies White Wonder at Multnomah Falls: Next the the Multnomah falls Highway Sign (A favorite photo opportunity for the tourists!) and in the two outside planters that frame the Lodge.

So fashionable its been featured on Grimm! Click on the photo to read the whole story.