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12
2012 Yard, Garden & Patio Show
February 17 - 19, 2012
Oregon Convention Center
By Kara Hansen Murphey
Y
ou don’t need a warm climate to
enjoy the lush feel of the tropics in
Pacific Northwest backyards.
From agave to zebra grass, Pacific
Northwest residents can enjoy a wide
variety of exotic plants, says Stacie
Palmer, a landscape designer at Dennis’
7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers.
Whether your globally influenced land-
scape features layered, luscious qualities
or veers toward the well-ordered nature
of Zen gardens, an experienced designer
can help ensure exotic plants not only
survive, but thrive in their surround-
ings. Dennis’ 7 Dees offers a special
service called Planscaper that pairs do-
it-yourselfers with skilled designers such
as Palmer.
“I meet with clients and hear about
their projects, and I come up with a
design that makes sense for their particu-
lar situation and what they’re looking for
as an outcome in their garden spaces,”
she explains. Palmer not only crafts a
design, she also provides a plant list and
is available for consultation as the plan is
implemented.
The biggest global-themed trend of late
is Asian inspired, she says. A yard land-
scaped in this style might feature dwarf
pines and Japanese maple trees. But
many people are also now opting for the
drama of spiky, bladed agave and yucca
plants native to warmer, drier areas of the
world. Given enough sun, proper drain-
age and protection from winter winds,
Palmer says, “They can be really suc-
cessful in gardens in our area.” Hardy
banana trees, which like a generous
mulching in the winter, are even making
statements in some Oregon backyards.
Other exotic plants can complement
those native to our region.
“Sometimes, we just fit some of these
plants in, not because folks are wanting
to have a traditional Zen or Mediterranean
garden but because they work for the
conditions and for the characteristics of
the plants,” Palmer says. “Often we’ll
borrow from a lot of these plants that are
considered exotic or foreign.”
Some of her favorites:
Trees •
— “Japanese umbrella pine is
a really fun tree,” Palmer says. “It’s
unusual and you don’t see a whole
lot of them around the Portland metro
area. People are drawn to them if they
want something unusual.”
The same goes for pomegranate and
persimmon: “Not only are they func-
tional because you can eat the fruits,
but they’re hardy in our area.” The
windmill palm is a good choice for
homeowners looking to invoke a tropi-
cal feel in their yards.
Shrubs
•
— Pineapple guava is another
favorite that produces edible fruit.
“They have cute little guavas, and the
foliage has smaller leaves, so it’s a
finer texture yet gets some height and
width of several feet at maturity,” says
Palmer, noting this plant makes a good
focal point in a bed but can also substi-
tute for a hedge.
“A lot of folks are drawn to hardy hibis-
cus like rose of Sharon,” Palmer adds.
“And there’s a really cool plant for
shade: The common name is Japanese
aralia, but some people might also
know it by its botanical name, fatsia. It
has really big leaves, and it’s evergreen
as well.”
Vines •
— Star jasmine, an evergreen, is
popular, especially because it produces
fragrant blooms all summer. “It’s pretty
versatile,” Palmer says. “You’ll see it
over arbors, and it can be grown in a
pot or in the ground.” Climbing hydran-
geas, which can grow in shady spots,
“are another in the more exotic, unusu-
al realm.” For sunny locations, Palmer
likes ornamental grapes. The ornamen-
tal varieties don’t produce any edible
fruit, but they offer loads of foliage.
Perennials
•
— “We can also bring a
more tropical or exotic feel by using
things like zebra grass or fountain
grasses, especially in combination with
bigger-leafed plants,” Palmer says. The
showy foliage of cannas offers a quick
fix for gardens needing some exotic
flair, and the pineapple lily lends an
island feel suitable for many local yards.
“If you’ve got space, the gunnera is a
fun one,” she says. The plant’s mon-
ster-size leaves look like they belong in
“Jurassic Park.”
Annuals
•
— Nonhardy hibiscus is too
tender to make it through the winter
here, but thrives in warmer months.
Mandevillas provide beautiful color in pots
on patios and can live all year, so long as
they’re brought inside for the winter.
“Pretty much every houseplant we
have comes from more tropical, exotic
locales,” Palmer notes. “They’re awe-
some to bring outside during the summer
months in more protected areas — it’s
a big shock to go from indoors to blaz-
ing sun. You can carry over your garden
Oregon is kind
to exotic plants
Japanese aralia
Dennis’ 7 Dees designer helps clients nurture global themes
Hibiscus
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