The Literary Gardener – August 2015 – The Demonstration Gardens at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”–Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, 1911
Speaking of secret gardens, did you know there are 20 demonstration gardens just five minutes from downtown Jacksonville? It’s true! Jackson County Master Gardeners maintain a plethora of flower, vegetable, and herb gardens, as well as a vineyard, orchard, and arboretum, at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center close to Hanley Farm. The gardens are open to the public for free self-guided and guided tours as part of the Jackson County Master Gardener Association’s mission to “learn, practice, and teach the art and science of gardening” in Southern Oregon.
The Demonstration Gardens include something for everyone: Water-Wise, Native Plants, Roses, Culinary Herbs, Succulents, Daylilies, Dahlias & Grasses, Perennials & Shade Plants, Wildflowers, Lavender, Rain Catchment, Plants to Attract Birds, Bees, & Butterflies, and others. In addition, the Compost Garden showcases how “black gold” is made and then added to soil in the gardens to keep plants vibrant and healthy. The Propagation Garden is where Master Gardeners’ root cuttings are taken from parent plants in the gardens. Once these clones have matured, they are offered for sale to the public.
On a recent stroll through the Demonstration Gardens, I uncovered too many secrets to share here; however, I will reveal a few. For other secrets, you’ll just have to visit the gardens yourself!
Propagation Garden: Here I saw the first registered hybrid rose in the U.S., a climbing rose called ‘New Dawn.’ Head gardener Peggy Corum showed me how Master Gardener volunteers use tents to conserve moisture and protect cuttings from drying-out. She also showed me a hardy white cyclamen whose seeds were being fed through curly “umbilical cords” connecting the seed to the mother plant. Cool!
Succulent Garden: I found out there are several varieties of succulents that thrive in partial sun, such as Hens and Chicks, or houseleeks. I might be able to grow succulents in places I never would have thought possible!
Rain Garden: I breathed-in the wonderful piney fragrance of a conifer called Baker Cypress, which is the rarest tree in North America. Its native range spans only from very Southern Oregon to very Northern California, so I felt honored indeed to see it here.
Wildflower Garden: This garden will soon be a registered Monarch Way Station, which is a designated site to attract Monarch butterflies. Showy Milkweed in the garden is the host plant for the Monarch butterfly. I used a magnifying lens to look for Monarch eggs on the plant’s leaves.
Water-Wise Garden: Head gardener Carolyn Chamberlin showed me how plants are grouped together with similar watering needs. The lowest water-needy plants are yucca, succulents, and Euphorbias. Deco sand mulch is the most effective mulch for drought-tolerant plants like these.
Perennial & Shade Plant Garden: Here I saw my first-ever Persimmon tree. I’ll come back in the autumn after the leaves have fallen to see its lovely orange fruit. This is such a cool, soft-feeling garden, I was happy to find a bench where I could sit and relax.
There in the shade, I thought about how many times I’ve mentioned the Demonstration Gardens to friends, only to learn of their surprise to know the gardens are here. It makes me think about another of my favorite children’s authors, Roald Dahl, who wrote: “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Wednesdays mornings until noon are the best times to “find the magic” during a self-guided tour through the Demonstration Gardens because Master Gardeners are working and are happy to answer questions. Guided tours are also available by reservation. For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.jacksoncountymga.org.
Rhonda Nowak is a teacher, writer and gardener who lives and works in the Rogue Valley. She has taught literature and language arts for 25 years, the last six at Rogue Community College. In addition to her column for the Jacksonville Review, she writes a weekly column and blog called the Literary Gardener for the Mail Tribune. She also writes articles for Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazine and is writer and editor of Ashland Living magazine. Email Rhonda at Rnowak39@gmail.com.
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