Garden Happenings and News

July 30, 2025

Out in the Garden - The Far Meadow Berm

By Adam Hart

Over in the garden’s Far Meadow, the Programs Department has been hard at work making major improvements to the space.  Beautiful cedar chairs, boulders for scrambling, and a new mural on the children’s cottage are just some of the upgrades that have already been completed, with more to come soon.

Back in the spring, the Horticulture team helped to create a planting design for the large berm in the northeast corner of the meadow.  We wanted the area packed with color and full of whimsy.  We decided on a palette dominated by reds, oranges, and yellows using a mix of plants that will bloom all summer long.

You’ll find some classic annuals such as nasturtiums and marigolds mixed in amongst perennials that should reliably come back year after year.  We incorporated some of our favorites from the Pollinator Garden, such as ‘American Gold Rush’ black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii) and ‘Jacob Cline’ bee balm (Monarda didyma).  Also mixed in are a few natives that we hope will naturalize and cover the hillside in time, such as red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica).  One plant that has delighted me with its name and its vibrancy has been ‘Fiery Meadow Mama’ coneflower (Rudbeckia sp.).  The bicolor red and yellow flowers are gorgeous and fit perfectly with the hot color theme.

The plant that has single-handedly impressed me the most is the ‘Mammoth’ sunflower (Helianthus sp.). This plant is true to its name, as it is already towering well above me at nearly 10 feet and still growing. No flowers yet, but I can’t wait to see the show it puts on later this month!

More Garden Stories

June 6, 2025

Scott Hoelscher Head Gardener Says Goodbye

Scott Hoelscher, Head Gardener leaving after 21 years at the Garden.

Read More >>
May 3, 2025

Out in the Garden - Hostas

By Sam Mularz

Planting Hostas in the Riparian Zone

Read More >>
April 23, 2025

Join Leach Botanical Garden's Eco Art Fundraiser!

Engage your creativity and create an eco-themed artwork around 6x6 inches in size or smaller to benefit Leach Botanical Garden. Your gift of art will be sold for $40 at a July program to raise funds to support the Garden’s operations. 

Read More >>
April 11, 2025

The Pedestrian Bridge Saga

By Annie Winn

Read about what happened to the Garden's pedestrian bridge in 2020.

Read More >>
banner image: ty & Chey
Mailing Address:
6704 SE 122nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97236
Main Entrance & Parking:
12323 SE Claybourne St.
info@leachgarden.org
503-208-6030

EIN: 93-0807685