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NEWS RELEASE
By: Tim Baker
Northwest Region Horticulture Specialist
University of
Missouri Extension
102 Main, Suite 1
Gallatin, MO 64640
660-663-3232
BakerT@missouri.edu
Release Date: October 22, 2009
Title: “An Interesting Oregon Garden"
As an Extension specialist, I get a lot requests to speak before civic groups, church groups, garden clubs, and Extension’s own Master Gardener groups. The topics that I cover may be anything from a general “What does Extension do?” to technical horticultural topics.
Sometimes I like to just show photos of gardens that I have visited, to give gardeners ideas on what to plant and landscaping ideas. In the past, I’ve given talks ranging from my visit to the gardens of the American Rose Center to state Master Gardener tours which visited multiple sites. Then there’s my ever-popular hummingbird talk, including what plants to grow to attract them.
On a recent trip to the west coast for some professional meetings, I was able to visit an interesting state park in Oregon.
Shore Acres was developed in the early 1900’s as an estate by a wealthy lumberman and shipbuilder, Louis J. Simpson. The estate included a three story mansion, a carriage house and barn, a gardener’s cottage, and five acres of formal gardens.
Mr. Simpson brought plants to his garden from all over the world. The garden included rose pergolas, a greenhouse, and a Japanese garden in addition to the formal gardens.
Most of the structures, including the mansion, are gone today. But the gardens remain and are now part of the Oregon state park system.
The setting for this garden is right on the rocky Oregon coastline. That is reason enough for a visit to this beautiful park, but when you add in the gardens, it’s hard for anyone interested in horticulture to resist.
One fascinating aspect of this garden is that while it is in the Pacific Northwest maritime climate, and doesn’t normally get too hot, it is found in USDA hardiness zone 9, which means you can grow a wide variety of plants, including some palm species.
In addition to the formal gardens, the park also includes a special garden of All American Rose Selections, an oriental garden and lily pond, and special exhibits from time to time in their garden house. They also maintain a greenhouse with an interesting selection of tropical plants.
If your group is located in one of the six counties that I serve (Harrison, Daviess, Caldwell, Mercer, Grundy or Livingston) and you would like to see this presentation or a presentation on any other horticultural topic, please give me a call. I can be reached at the Daviess County Extension Center at 660-663-3232.
University Extension programs are open to all
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