Today we’re in Portland, Oregon, visiting with Zeah.

I’ve loved interesting plants since I was small, growing plants in my mother’s garden and killing orchids from the yearly orchid show. I’ve worked in the horticulture industry several times, and I’ve grown plants on my own whenever I had the resources. Last year I was given the opportunity to take over one of the coolest gardens in the Pacific Northwest, the home of Lance Wright, formerly a Portland Parks Bureau horticulturist for three decades. Now I have a home where the jungle extends from my bedroom to the street, with more diversity than some botanical gardens.

Bomarea is a South American vine related to Alstromeria. This hybrid form dies back to the ground every winter.

A bog planter with mostly carnivorous plants

The most iconic of the carnivorous plants is Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula ‘DCXL’, Zones 7–10). This selection has unusually large and beautifully patterned traps.

This is a collection of lithops (aka living rocks), tiny succulent plants with leaves that store water and mimic the look of stones to avoid being eaten. To avoid forgetting the names of the varieties, Zeah made a diagram of what is planted where, using the crack at the bottom of the pot as a reference point. That’s a great way to keep track of what plant is what without having to add little labels everywhere.

An enormous stand of Musa sikkamensis (Zones 7–10, maybe colder with protection). Adding a thick layer of leaves or other protection in the winter helps plants like these overwinter in cold zones.

A big planter full of vegetables provides food and screening, turning this front porch into a private garden nook.

A very HOT pepper harvest: yellow and peach Bhut Jolokia and some Trinidad Moruga Black scorpion peppers.

An exploration of bonsai, with a little Rhododendron ‘Ramapo’ (Zones 4–8)

Snow over the Portland jungle garden

Sunset over the garden

If you want to see more of this garden, check out Zeah’s Instagram: @pdxplantyvibes

 

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