Last Minute Open Garden Invitation

(Old information - thank you to all who attended!)

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Please stop by, walk through the garden and say hello!  We've spruced the garden up for the Hardy Plant Garden Tour, and would love to share.  Our garden is open to any and everyone interested, but the larger tour is for plant group members, by prior reservation.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

3 Fun Facts About Our Garden

With the Open Garden just ten days away (July 9, 9-2!), this seems like a great time to share some fun facts about our garden.  You may know the basics from our website and journal, but did you know that...

- We put our first plants in the ground in 2003 and had our first photo shoot for Sunset.  That's a pretty quick start for a garden!  The original plantings were boisterous and brimming with variety, partly because we were using the garden as a testing ground for unusual and new (to us) plants.  As the plantings have matured and the garden has grown shadier, we have edited the plantings to masses of our favorites, with room for more than a few highlights and oddballs, of course.  We wonder what you'll think of the changes at the Open Garden....

- The galvanized fence was one of the  few elements that we knew would be a part of the garden from the start, and it was the first thing we installed.  We had a hunch that the brightness and subtle texture of the fence would be an asset in our narrow, urban lot.  While metal fences clearly aren't for everyone (it's still the only one we've built!), we love how it seems to pull the sky down into the space and sets off the dark foliaged plants in front of it.

- We built almost everything by hand.  From removing tons of concrete (be sure check out the "before" pictures in this post), to hauling each rock to its final location, we held true to our belief that people build better gardens than machines do.  The one major exception was the driveway, which Buell swore he was going to dig by hand....  About 10 minutes with a pick convinced him that using a bobcat would be a better idea.

We look forward to sharing our garden with you on July 9.  In the meantime, remember to follow us on Facebook for updates, photos and more!

Mosaic Open Garden, July 9

Mosaic Open Garden

Saturday, July 9, 9am - 2pm

Please join us on Saturday, July 9 for an Open Garden!  The plants are loving the long, cool spring, and the garden is gorgeous this year.  It's a small, diverse space that has been featured in Sunset, Fine Gardening and Garden Design magazines.   There's a little something for everyone - sun, shade, dry stack stone walls, seating areas, mature plantings, new additions and lots of design ideas.  Buell and Rebecca will be on hand to answer questions about the garden and Mosaic, but, introverts, never fear, we're happy to let you wander on your own.

If you don't know our garden, this photo history is a fun place to learn more, and our press page includes several articles about the garden.

We hope to see you on the 9th!  Drop by anytime between 9 and 2, and feel free to bring friends and family.  We'll have limeade and shade if it's warm (or even if it's not), and space to explore or just sit and enjoy the day.

Save the Date - Open Garden on July 9!

Join us on Saturday, July 9 for an Open Garden!  Our garden is gorgeous this year, and we want to share it with you during its peak season.  Please join us to walk through the space, ask questions, say hello or just enjoy some limeade in a pretty spot.

If you've seen the garden before, you may be surprised at some of the changes.  As it has grown older and shadier, we've changed and simplified some of the plantings, to what we think is an elegant effect.  Of course, the maturing specimens and beautifully aging stonework don't hurt, either.  Our little space offers a wealth of ideas for gardens of any size or age, and, of course, Buell and Rebecca will be on hand to chat and answer questions.

Please mark your calendar and spread the word!  More information coming soon....

Japanese Maple Sale at Baltzer's!

We've got so much good news for gardeners these days!  Our friends Bob and Nancy Baltzer, of Baltzer's Specialized Nursery are having a sale on their gorgeous specimen maples.  All non lace leaf maples in 20 gallon or larger containers are on sale for at least $25 off and some are marked down to $75!  Bob and Nancy grow a wider variety of maples than anyone we know, and they care for them beautifully.  Aside from maples, the Baltzers also carry  wonderful, unusual conifers and some interesting garden features.  Their nursery is one of our area's little known treasures, and well worth the short drive to Pleasant Hill.

Baltzer's is open Friday - Monday, 10am - 5pm (closed Tuesday-Thursday)

36011 Highway 58 Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 541-747-5604

Ginny's Garden Sale

Our friend Ginny is moving into town from her fabulous garden and farm in Creswell.  In terrific news for garden treasure hunters, Ginny is having a huge yard/garden sale tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, to help her pare down and prepare for her urban space.  Containers of all sizes!  Furniture!  Useful and pretty things!   Ginny has great taste, and the perfect addition to your garden may be waiting for you in Creswell.   If nothing else, it's a great excuse to see one of our area's best gardens.  Part of the proceeds benefit the Lane County Master Gardeners.  More information below.

The Plant Sales Are Coming!

It's that magical time of year again, when the best specialty nurseries in Oregon flock to Eugene for a one-day plant extravaganza....   On May, 7, grab your mom for a Mother's Day Eve outing and find your new favorite plants!

The Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group sale is in the Auditorium Building of the Lane County Fairgrounds from 9am-2pm. More information here.

The Avid Gardeners Plant Sale is also 9am-2pm (where to go first?!?) at Alton Baker Park.  More information here and on their cute poster at right.

Plant group members and potential members, take note - volunteers get first dibs on plants, so pitch in!

The Gregory Garden (and house) are for sale

Our friend and client Joy Gregory is moving out of town, and her wonderful North Eugene house and garden are for sale.  We are sorry to see her and her awesome son leave Eugene, but we have no doubt that they'll take their new home by storm.  We wrote the garden in our first newsletter, and you may remember the garden from Sunset, the Register-Guard or Pacific Horticulture (you can find an article or two on our press page).

If you happen to be shopping for a great house, neighborhood and garden, take a look!

http://www.remax.com/homes-for-sale/OR/Eugene/10060366-MLS_Number/

Nature Nurture: Preserving our Plenty

Our friend Robin Cushman graciously allowed us to share this announcement for her upcoming show and invitation to the opening!  This new "stained glass" photo at left is gorgeous, and we can't wait to see more....

We'll let Robin take it from here:

Dear gardening friends, Below is an invitation to my solo show at the David Joyce Gallery at LCC. I hope you can drop by for the festivities. The show is up now and will be through the summer. Susan Detroy curated the show and the LCC culinary arts department will provide hors d'oeuvres.

The opening coincides with the "100-mile Meal" put on by culinary arts students. All the foods come from within 100 miles, some from their own LCC Learning Garden [Mosaic note: a member of the culinary school faculty shared that the students did such a great job sourcing ingredients for the meal, that all ingredients actually come from within *30* miles - wow!]. They felt my work would complement the theme, as all the images are from the bountiful Willamette Valley.

In addition to my garden/farm/market photos, I am exploring two new areas of foods – produce revealing more through being back-lit (think stained glass) and a series of "frisky fruits and voluptuous vegetables."

Hope you can attend the opening & show. Please invite your friends – Robin

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who wants mail?

If would like to be on our postal mailing list, please send your mailing address to mosaic (at) mosaic-gardens.com.

We only send 2-4 postcards per year, and we think they're pretty good lookin'.  They are all designed by Rebecca and are on 100% recycled paper.  Of course, we will never share your personal information with anyone.  A preview of the next card is right here --------->

If you'd like a heads-up about newsletters and Mosaic news, like new publications and events, join our e-mailing list here.  We write once or twice a month, at most (we're not a fan of spam, either), and, again, we will never share your personal information.

Nothing is permanent - If you would ever like to unsubscribe from any of our mailing lists, we will be happy to immediately and permanently remove your name and information.  Just contact us any way you like, and we'll only contact you once more to let you know that we've fulfilled your request.

Plant Sales - Saturday, May 8

Make a date with your mom or your best plant buddy!  Eugene's two biggest, baddest plant sales are coming on May 8.  Both sales will have an incredible selection of plants from fantastic nurseries.  The best plants go fast, so arrive early and work fast!  Click on the links for more information.

The Oregon Plant Fair, hosted by the Avid Gardeners, takes place at Alton Baker Park

The Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Sale will be held at the Lane County Fairgrounds

Sadly, this is our last chance to buy the exquisite plants grown by Hedgerows Nursery, from McMinnville.  David and Susie are moving "back east," and will be sorely missed.  They have provided us with some of the best, boldest and weirdest plants in our garden.  They'll have a table at the WVHPG sale but you'll have to arrive early to get the best selection....

Hellebore Open Garden Days at Northwest Garden Nursery

Our friends at Northwest Garden Nursery are holding their annual Open Garden and plant sale! This wonderful little nursery and its big display garden are only open to the public only a few days a year. Ernie and Marietta O'Byrne have spent years developing the most gorgeous strains of Hellebores, with attention to the tiniest details of foliage and flower, and working in their inspiring display garden. The garden is full of rare and wonderful plants, combined with an eye for subtle, but striking combinations of color and foliage texture.

Helleborus orientalis and related hybrids are a mainstay of our plantings. Their glossy, dark, evergreen foliage enriches shady to partial sun plantings, even those that are heavily browsed by deer. We love to plant them in groups of 7 to 40, contrasted against a block of lighter or silver foliaged plants, such as Brunnera 'Jack Frost.' Their foliage alone would be good enough for us, but the stunning flowers are a magical addition to the late winter garden. Caring for Hellebores couldn't be easier. In winter, before or just as the flowers emerge, cut off the old leaves. When the flowers start to fade and set seed, cut off the whole flower stalk (with any leaves directly attached to it), leaving the new leaves that emerged after the flowers. These two simple steps will keep your Hellebore patch healthy, full and happy for years to come!

Make a date to visit Northwest Garden Nursery with your best plant buddy in the next few weeks, and start or add to your Hellebore collection.

Northwest Garden Nursery's Hellebore Garden Open Days for 2010 are:

  • Saturday and Sunday, February 20 and 21
  • Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28
  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 5-7

Beginning March 11 they are open regular hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the end of March (March 27).

Click here for directions and a map to the nursery.

Perfect tour weather

A pretty shot of our garden from a cloudy day. Garden photographers live for forecasts like tomorrow's - mostly cloudy with a high of 73. The plants will love the comfortable, but not-too-warm temperatures (us too!), and gardens look their best under a little cloud cover. It's shaping up to be a great tour.

See you tomorrow,

Rebecca & Buell

A brief photo history of our garden

IMG_1134 With the Eugene Symphony Music in the Garden tour coming this Sunday, it seems like a good time to share a short photo history of our space! We began hardscape construction in fall of 2002, put the first plants in the ground in 2003. The ipe deck we installed in 2004 completed the garden's structure, but a garden is never finished. We make large and small changes to the plantings every year.

Our garden has been featured in Garden Design, Sunset, Pacific Horticulture and Fine Gardening magazines. A few of those articles are available on the press page of our main website and offer a much more complete account of the design of our space than we can offer here. For now, we just hope to entice you to visit the garden and support a great cause this Sunday!

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Click on the images below to enlarge.

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Music in the Garden

IMG_1086Please join us for the Eugene Symphony Guild's Music in the Garden tour on Sunday, June 14, 10am - 4pm. The tour will feature seven terrific Eugene Gardens, including ours, as well as music, food and a plant sale.

Advance tickets are $12 and available at many local nurseries, including Down to Earth, Gray's, Jerry's, Johnson Brothers and Little Red Farm. Tickets are also available on the day of the tour for $15.

We will be available all day for questions and conversation. We hope to see you then!

Gossler Farms Open House

Our friends at Gossler Farms are having an open house today through Sunday! Roger and the gang are some of the most knowledgeable plantspeople anywhere, and the selection and diversity of their stock is amazing. I'm sure the display garden is big and beautiful right now, too! Make the drive out to 1200 Weaver Rd in Springfield to check out all of the magnificent and unusual perennials, trees and shrubs. Are we lucky to live in Oregon, or what? 9-5, today through Sunday. For more information, call 746-3922.