Hi GPODers!
Today we’re returning to a garden we’ve gotten updates on for over a decade! Michael Follose first shared his Oregon garden in 2011 (Michael’s Garden in Oregon), and gave his first update in 2019 (Returning to a Garden After Almost a Decade). Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait as long for the next update that came along a couple of years ago (Changes in Michael’s Garden), and today he’s back with a reflection on an exciting bucket-list event from last summer.
My name is Michael Follose. Our property was purchased by my grandparents in 1937 and I’ve lived here for 49 years. My husband and I have sent three previous submissions to GPOD. Since our last submission in 2022, we were selected to be on the 2024 OSU High Desert Master Gardeners Garden Tour. Being on this tour has been on my bucket list for decades. It was exciting to have more than 350 people touring our garden in one day. This tour is held in different towns in our tri-county area and is typically held in the largest city (Bend, OR) and is rarely held in rural communities like ours (Powell Butte, OR). Don created laminated QR codes for our most unusual plants that directed participants to detailed information about them in the Garden.org website.
Although I started over 250 of our annuals from seeds in our greenhouse (foxglove, Verbena bonariensis, snapdragons, cosmos), we added to those with many trips to nurseries. (Fun fact: You can fit 10 flats in a Prius.)
I started an Instagram account at the beginning of 2024 to document a lot of the work that we did in the garden: @mylifetimegarden
I’m absolutely in love with Don’s QR code plant labels. What a simple and effective way to give people more information and access on some of your favorite plants in the garden. And an excellent choice to tag this beautiful Korean burnet (Sanguisorba hakusanensis, Zones 4–9), I’m sure they would be getting endless questions about it otherwise. This might be the variety ‘Lilac Squirrel’ (S. hakusanensis ‘ Lilac Squirrel’), aptly named with its bushy, pink blooms that resemble squirrels tails.
Though how do you possibly pick favorites when your gardens are absolutely packed with fabulous plants? Fantastic foliage and even more fabulous flowers seem to be never ending in Michael and Don’s landscape.
Stunning plantings and sublime tranquility from every angle. The gentle sound of fall water and the orange glow of sunset make for an ethereal backdrop.
I wonder if Michael started this sea of petunias from seed or if they were all hauled to his garden via his Prius? Either way, an impressive feat to get this bold and bright carpet of annual flowers!
Also exemplified in the garden pond photo above, Michael and Don have managed to rival even the most vibrant and colorful sunsets and sunrises by mimicking the same color palettes in their beds and borders. Another water feature provides more tranquil water sounds while giving visiting birds a water source.
It really feels as though every last detail was thought of and each plant is a perfect companion to its surroundings. Even when standing alone, this bright pink dahlia pops off of the bright blue sky behind in such a gorgeous and complimentary way.
But the magic happens when you’re able to take a step back and look at a wider scene. A fence can really make or break a garden, and the choice of a light and buttery yellow was fantastic. A little more exciting than your typical white picket fence while adding some more color and not clashing with any of the colorful flowers that surround.
Of course, flowers and hardscaping are not the only elements that Michael and Don carefully consider. Various trees and shrubs also provide interesting colors and structure.
Lupine are usually a show-stopper in any garden they find themselves in. Of course, not all get to be paired with a picturesque, snow-topped mountain in the background so this planting is particularly wow-worthy (though these sun-loving plants often derive from mountainous regions and several grow as wildflowers in mountain valleys).
One last photo shows that every possible inch of their property gets a hardy dose of color from bountiful flowers. Where patios or walkways are needed, raised beds add additional growing space.
Thank you so much for this sensational update on your garden, Michael and Don! And congratulations on your successful garden tour, I’m certainly envious of the 350+ visitors that got the enjoy your incredible space in person. If you ever open up your garden to the public again, send a note to GPOD and I’ll book my flight out to Oregon 😉
And I know that many members of the GPOD community graciously open up their private gardens for local gardening groups and tours. If you hosted a group in your garden last year, we’d love to hear how it went! Consider following the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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