As it states in its brochure, Iseli Nursery sits at the bottom of Mount Hood in Boring, Oregon. The views surrounding the nursery are inspiring, and in the clouded light of midday, the effect was magical. However, I wish I could bring you “smell-a-vision.” The scent of pines, cypress, and cedars hung in the air.
The staff at Iseli were friendly and helpful. As we disembarked from the buses, they were all standing with signs for different areas or zones. Oklahoma was part of the Lower Plains. You could wander and take photos or you could follow your designated employee and learn more about which trees were best for your area.
You can guess which I did. I tried to follow. I really did, but there was so much to see, and I didn’t want to miss anything. I soon found myself wandering off on my own.
Iseli is the wholesale nursery were your local nursery gets their specialty conifers. Having plant withdrawal, 
I actually went yesterday to TLC, our local nursery, and Iseli tags abounded. They are especially known for their dwarf conifers and Japanese maples. They were one of the wholesale growers which anticipated smaller, urban gardens years ago, so they now corner the market on smaller conifers.
The sales office is surrounded by winding gardens filled with exotic conifers and other trees and shrubs. They also have the occasional grass and other perennials, but you definitely know where their focus lies. Demonstration tents were set up showing propagation of trees and the shaping of evergreens with clippers. It was fun to watch.
I stood near this beautiful Japanese maple, Acer palmatum, ‘Baby Lace’ trying to get the best closeup of its foliage. Steve Dobbs walked up too, and I asked him if he thought we could grow it in Oklahoma. He shook his head, but before he walked away, he smiled and said “I’d sure like to try though, wouldn’t you?”
Amen to that. I’ve never seen foliage so bright and so red. There were so many things I’d love to try in my garden, and I’m fortunate because the nursery was very generous. They sent six, different, dwarf conifers for us to try in our containers at home. These would resemble the fairy gardens they’d created at the nursery. There is one in the front of this photo on the left. I hope my little plants are all right. We shipped them via UPS, but the shipper sent mine via ground freight, so they won’t be here until tomorrow. I left most of the GWA garden swag for the local garden writers, but I do want those little shrubs and trees. I’ll let you know if they arrive alive.
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Hi Darlin’ Dee, my after-Sunday-church “project” tomorrow is to find a bowl or saucer large enough for planting my mini-conifer landscape, courtesy of Iseli Nursery. I love those 5 conifers we brought home from Portland. They will give me comfort and memories of my beloved PNW even though they’re here on my patio table in LA.
Your photo tour is gorgeous and brings back memories. We didn’t have enough time together and I miss you already, debra
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Dearest Debra, we didn’t get to hang together much. You were working the book thing, and I watched and admired you. I planted part of my conifers yesterday. What beauties they are.~~Dee
I enjoyed the pictures of the nursery. Everything looks wonderful!!!! Have a great weekend!!!
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Hey Dee, What a treat to see a nursery like this one. Oh the yearning for rain is upon us! We might be in zone 6b/7a but the real test of a plant is its ability to deal with heat and dry times! Thanks for a very pleasant daydreaming tour into green! Gail
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I know how you felt walking around in all that lushishness! One of the benefits I have from moving all over the US—is a respect and admiration for those of us who settled in the hotter climates. We just don’t get that good soaking rain on a consistent basis.
I would have wandered off with you. Beautiful post and hope your plants arrive healthy.
Hugs to ya!
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Hey Dee,
Pears are just as great in the crustless apple pie recipe! Love the design of your blog…very cool…
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Couldn’t you write every day for a year about good things experienced at the GWA symposium? The landscape at Iseli helped me rethink the future of my garden. Cheers!
Glad you had a good trip and I hope your goodies arrive in good shape. Me, I would have drove cross country. I won’t go to a nursery without my truck.
Japanese maples are such a tease. I’m tempted all the time by them.
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LOL, I’m not good at following either and usually wander off on my own. Perhaps we could try wandering off together at a nursery if/when we ever meet? 😉
I like the way they planted everything up to showcase all the wonderful shrubs and trees. I love visiting nurseries!
Good luck with your six dwarf conifers (shouldn’t that be 7 as in 7 dwarfs, just a thought! ;-))
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That’s got to be the most inapt name for a place in the US – how could it looking boring at the foot of Mt. Hood? What a treat that tour must have been. Thanks for giving us a peek.
Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog post..The Truth About Japanese Anemones
I’m all over dwarf conifers, but not in my curtain garden since I don’t intend on living here for a long time.
Klehm’s Song Sparrow have MAYN I would like to have–I’m sure your familiar with them…. Thanks for the tour, I guess I should go to the PNW some day.
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That looks like a fun nursery to visit! Did he say why you couldn’t grow it in Oklahoma? Too cold in the winter? Those conifers look real nice!
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Hi Dave, no actually, he was more worried about the heat. We’re in the same cold hardiness zones, but the heat is a whole different story.
WOW, this nursery is truly inspirational. That huge pot is dynamic.
Hi Lisa, it was one of the coolest places we went. They had container plantings everywhere.~~Dee
Sure hope the shrubs and trees arrive alive for you. It will be like Christmas in September! I love your picture of the Japanese Red Maple – I bought one this year and I’m babying it as an understory in a nice shady bed that I hand water most days. It seems happy, but it’s not as red as it was when I bought it. Send pictures of your presents when they get there!
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Me too, Diana. They should arrive today, and I’ll put them in hospital care immediately. If your maple is getting a lot of nitrogen, it will turn the leaves a greener color. I use mine as understory plants too.~~Dee
What a wonderful nursery setting it must of been. They grow plants for us Oklahoman’s too? I’ll be looking for tags from them on plants at our local nursery.
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Hey Curtis, so glad to see you here. It was very cool. They grow the fancy conifers. I don’t how well they will like our heat.~~Dee
oh … sigh …sigh …sigh…
isn’t it just gorgeous up there and it stays that way all year round, although being a CA native, I know I would get tired of the rain…your photos are, as always, gorgeous and those containers were inspiring….getting gentle proddings now that fall is upon us and the sun cooling off by a few degrees…only 87 today, lol…
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Hi Linda, it does rain there a lot. I know I would enjoy the rain. I’m used to dry old Oklahoma. It was 88 degrees here today, so I feel your pain.~~Dee
How fun to tour a nursery such as that. Our local nursery adds a new little garden or outdoor sitting area each year, and it becomes more parklike and beautiful to visit. I go there sometimes to walk, even though I’m not ready to purchase anything that day. The one you visited is wonderful!
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Hi Aisling. It was very cool. This did feel very parklike. It was probably my favorite place.~~Dee
Dee,
Seems like you are having a wonderful time and what wonderful plants. Enjoy!!
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Hi Sherri, it was a great, but I’m glad to be home now. I’m tired.~~Dee
thanks for the tour, delightful.
You’re so welcome, Rosemary.~~Dee