A gravel path, shaded by a crape myrtle, leads to the shed. In the vegetable garden, Dulcy Mahar grows salad makings interspersed with annuals like poppies, calendula, and nasturtiums, a technique she learned touring gardens in France.

A rustic sign is used for tours.

Clematis integrifolia adds oomph.

Feathery spirea is pretty in pink.

Astrantia major 'Alba' is as shy and leggy as a preteen about to bloom.

'Mary Rose' thrives in the garden. Dulcy has a love-hate affair with the heavy clay soil of the Northwest, which gets waterlogged but is full of nutrients.

A rather regal rabbit stands sentinel in front of the arbor.

Dahlias--"old-lady flowers"--are among Dulcy's faves.

A sundial never fails to lend a feeling of antiquity.

Known to attract butterflies and resist deer, spiky purple Allium christophii is the punk rock star of the garden.

The arbor is one of Dulcy's divine mistakes. When it came, it was much bigger than she expected. Now secluded with vines, it has become a treasured place where she and Ted sip sherry at eventide. The Japanese lantern adds an air of mystery.

Behind the couple's Georgian Colonial home, foliage provides texture and flowers color. Dulcy uses the balcony overlooking the garden and pond to survey her handiwork.

Twin columns define a sitting area paved with precast cobblestones. The serene watery blue of slatted wooden chairs and a large planter visually cool the heat of a fire pit.

The fish is one of many accents in the garden, including birdhouses, metal gates with a folk-art look, and a hand-lettered sign for "Doug's Vegetable Garden." The sign is recognition of "Doug, the Wonder Guy," the gardener Dulcy has immortalized in her garden column.

Shiny objects draw the gaze; the aptly named gazing ball is among many accents the Mahars use to add visual interest.

Crustiness in the texture of this classical finial contrasts with the smoothness of glazed pots.

Foliage is as important as flowers in the Mahar garden, as this serene and sculptural grouping proves.

Ted and Dulcy Mahar with their cat Orville, who has a twin, Wilbur.

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Traditional Home  /  Gardens  /  Beautiful Gardens

Garden Retreat

Creative chaos rules this Portland garden

Written by Rebecca Christian
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John Granen

Clematis integrifolia adds oomph.

Tags:
Garden Color, Landscaping, Portland
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