The Basics
Gardeners: Francesca and Scott
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: The total lot is 50′ x 100′ but the backyard is only a tiny portion of that.
Orientation: Northeast
Zone: 8b
Years gardened: 3
The Details
Style: Chaotic
Inspiration: Eating
Favorite element(s): Miniature fruit!
Favorite plant(s): Banana, pineapple, fly eating thing.
Biggest challenge: The rocks were our first hurdle. Now we are combating the moles.
Biggest save: There really wasn’t anything but rocks when we moved in so we didn’t have to get rid of many invasive plants, just several tons of river rock.
Biggest splurge: I can’t stop purchasing containers and pots.
Advice for others: Just do a little at a time as you feel like it. Don’t underestimate rocks. Don’t plant too many cherry tomatoes. Pumpkins are unhappy in the shade and in small containers.
This little container grouping holds unusual edibles like coffee, limes (not shown) and even pomegranates among the ornamental plants.
Fennel and curry find their way into the perennial side garden.
And check out the bees on this artichoke flower!
See more photos of Francesca and Scott’s garden here, including “before” photos that show just how much this garden has changed in three years.
Thanks Francesca and Scott for sharing your garden with us!
Want to share your garden with Heavy Petal readers? Do it now!
Sheila says
Great garden!
Laurel says
Pumpkins in containers? Now THAT is brave! What a wonderful garden and great blogging idea :)
Karen says
Thanks for sharing pics of that garden, it looks really funky and cool. Do they bring the pomegranate in during the winter? I wonder if it is just ornamental or if they manage to get it to fruit somehow. I really want one but know it would never survive here in Seattle without a greenhouse…
Francesca says
You do have to bring it in in the winter. We’ve had ours about a year, and no pomegranates yet.
Well, we had the beginnings of one, but then I accidentally knocked it off when it was the size of a golf ball.
They make really pretty waxy hot pink flowers all year round, and they survive being almost killed in a variety of ways very well!