#GBFling14: Sean Hogan Garden

The first garden I saw after I arrived in Portland, Oregon for the 2014 Garden Bloggers Fling was also one of the most beautiful. It wasn’t on the tour, but I was privileged enough to enjoy it throughout my stay. It belongs to Sean Hogan, the owner of Cistus Nursery, whose generosity in putting me up at his house I will always appreciate.

Sean is not only a consummate plantsman, he’s also an accomplished garden designer. His garden is a graceful tapestry of greenery and hardscape, with the occasional touch of bling, as evidenced by the chandelier you see in the photo below.

But let’s start in front of the house. Above the front door, for everyone to see, is the motto of Sean’s realm: Hortisexuality. “Horti” as in garden, and “sexuality” as in sizzle and allure.

Even from the street you can tell this is no ordinary garden. As I was driving along Sean’s street in my rental car, I knew immediately where I was when I saw this:

And this:

Yucca rostrata is definitely one of Sean’s favorite plants, as you will see in my post on Cistus Nursery where specimens ranging from small 6-inch pots to 6-ft. “trees” are for sale.

 

  

Even the hellstrip is densely planted—and it features a strategically placed bench for passers-by wanting to rest a spell.

A species related to Yucca rostrata, Yucca linearifolia, features prominently in two square pots on the wall next to the front door steps.

Yucca linearifolia with variegated English ivy (Hedera helix)

Yucca linearifolia with variegated English ivy (Hedera helix)

The covered front porch is as inviting as they come. Perfect for looking out over the front garden and chatting with neighbors.

But the real magic for me was in the back garden. This is what you see as you step out of the kitchen:

The deck is a wonderful spot to read the paper, relax, hang out with friends, or just watch the stars at night.

Let’s not forget taking a nap on a warm summer’s day!

The densely planted backdrop effectively hides the fence, making the yard seem much bigger than it is (the lot is just shy of 5,000 sq. ft.).

A handful of steps lead from the deck…

…to the lower garden. There you can relax on a lounge chair surrounded by lush, exotic greenery.

A large table with seating for eight is ideal for having friends or family over. I still get a kick out of that chandelier. Elsewhere it might look tacky, but here—suspended between palm trees—it looks perfectly at home.

 

That’s Sean in the photo on the left

Have I mentioned how exotic the backyard looks? If I saw these photos without knowing where they were taken, I would have thought Hawaii or Florida, definitely not Oregon!

Even the little details were fascinating, like a broken paver filled in with gravel.

Here’s a look back at the house from the lower garden. Quite something, isn’t it?

Sean’s house was built in 1915, if I remember correctly, and it’s filled with period details, like these windows that face a stand of black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) in the side yard. Sean and his neighbor on this side get along so well, they decided to take down the fence. This gives the impression of a much larger property as each neighbor is in effect borrowing scenery from each other.

Here are some more photos of the side yard.

Same black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

Gate from the street/front yard to the side yard

 

I love the almost wild feel of this part of the backyard. It’s like a path through the jungle in some tropical rainforest.

I couldn’t get enough of the large-leafed plants like this Podophyllum pleianthum

It could eat me if it wanted to!

Here’s another cool plant:

Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’

In many ways, Sean’s garden is the antithesis of mine. I’m trying hard to create an element of lushness using leafy plants, but our climate and especially our water situation—we’re in the 3rd worst drought ever recorded in California—prevent me from growing the bulk of the exotic plants Sean has in his garden.

We’re all attracted to things we can’t have, and maybe that’s why I loved Sean’s garden so much. But it wouldn’t be what it is without Sean’s genius. The layering of textures and hues is simply masterful. The effect is that of a peaceful paradise where all the stresses and worries of everyday life simply don’t exist. You couldn’t ask for more from a garden.

RELATED POST:

2014 Garden Bloggers Fling index