Foliage in a Woodland Garden

The O’Byrnes of Eugene, Oregon January 2003

Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne, well-known gardeners, writers and nursery owners from Eugene, Oregon will address this unusual joint meeting of the VRS with the Hardy Plant Society

It was a rare occasion for a joint meeting with Victoria’s Hardy Plant Society, and the program was exceptional. Marietta O’Byrne of Eugene Oregon, presented over a hundred photographs depicting the attractions of foliage, of so many varieties, with many companions, in sun and shade and in all of the seasons. Seen in these various dimensions, the effects were stunning indeed. All manner of contrasts were displayed and while the colour spectrum was well covered, certain favourites stood out: the special lure of yellow, infinite ‘Variegatas’ and glaucous subtleties versus the richness of burgundy and dark purples. Even the much-reviled combination of yellow and pink was made respectable in one delicate example. Members of the audience were secretly thrilled when their very own exotics were revealed: Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ say. But who had seen before a Helleborus foetidus ‘Red Silver”? The listeners were awed at the sight of the gigantic Gunnera manicota. Hamlet’s famous “Get thee to a nunnery” could have been a misquoted “Get me thou, a Gunnera”, considering Shakespeare’s botanical sensibilities. Marietta’s hesitation in recalling the genus Acanthopanax only emphasised her brilliance in identifying a hundred other combinations, clearly and without a note. She spoke with wit. It was a tour de force.

The Hardy Plant provisioners dazzled the hungry crowd with their post-lecture dainties. Happy plant celebrants of every stripe (or variegata) enjoyed a fine evening. Would not such an ecumenical gathering be worthwhile as an annual event?