Cistus Nusery: Another Reason to be Jealous of Portland Gardeners
Cistus Nursery is a “retail micro-nursery” located 15 miles from Portland, Oregon.
It was another nursery that we visited as part of this year’s Garden Bloggers Fling.
Cistus emphasizes plants for a Mediterranean climate and hardy tropical plants, so it has fewer plants that would fit into my own garden than you might find at Joy Creek Nursery.
Cistus has a fine selection of plants for sale, but I spent almost all my time wandering the display garden.
Lots of drought tolerant plants, like these ones here that could be Yuccas or Aloes, I never learned to tell the difference. I just have a mental block when it comes to succulents. I’m not proud of it, but there you are.
I was very impressed by the Plume Poppies (Macleaya cordata), which appeal to my preference for tall plants.
The staff was laid back and friendly.
Lots of fun elements to be found in the display gardens.
We visited Cistus on the first day of the Fling and Judy did not arrive until that evening, so I had to take these pictures.
Do you like to visit retail nurseries when you’re in new places?
gardeninacity 
The white flowers actually belong to a bulb, Galtonia candicans. It’s a Zone 7, so you’re out of luck there, but when it’s not blooming, it just sort of takes up space, so you’re not missing out on much. Although, yes, there are lots of other reasons to be jealous of us Portland gardeners!
Thanks for the ID. As I said, I am quite ignorant on which succulent is which – and apparently on what is not a succulent at all!
What a fun nursery! I do like to walk around nurseries and often look for ones in the area that have a park near by so that it is a win win for the beans and me!!! I have yet to wonder through a nursery that has more tropical plants…this one looks so fun! Just seeing the bottles I can tell that it has a bit of whimsy! Happy weekend to you Jason! Nicole
I haven’t seen many nurseries near parks, though that is a great idea.
I have visited nurseries while traveling just to see what’s possible. I’ve brought home the odd plant or two. I’d probably be sorely tempted but I doubt it is something I’d do now. My big project right now is collecting seeds and cuttings of indigenous plants and using those to expand my gardens.
That is a very wise approach, though it requires patience.
A long slow game. I hope I don’t give up =)
Oh my, Cistus is not just a nursery, it’s a vacation!!! Love it. Nothing is better, but nurseries in England are an equal match. I’m going to Bridgemere Garden World in Cheshire in June…it has 6 acres of display gardens! Add it on your list.
Didn’t have time to visit any nurseries in England, next time may try to remedy that.
I was wondering what the Plume poppies were, Jason; thanks for identifying them. My memories of Cistus and Joy Creek nurseries have run together, so I don’t remember what I saw where. But I certainly was impressed with both and jealous of Portland gardeners having such nurseries available.
Any time – those Plume Poppies were certainly imposing plants.
Macleaya is easy to grow here as you may already know. It has a reputation for being aggressive but there’s always a place for a plant like that. It’s impressive when you see it.
It certainly is impressive. I didn’t know they were hardy here.
I too have a penchant for tall plants. That attracted me immediately to your blog
Good to know we have something in common.
I am in that area in January, so I will at least get a sense what it is like. With their mild climate, maybe I will see the tall grasses.
I’m sure there will be grasses and you’ll enjoy your visit.
I do like to have a wander around nurseries that have display gardens. I am lucky enough to live very near 2 such places. I find it useful to get a sense of eventual size of some of the plants I buy. On saying that, it also tempts me into buying way too many plants.
Cistus looks like a great place and one worthy of a visit judging by your pictures and descriptions. BTW, I’m no good with succulents either – they don’t grow here in my garden therefore never pay much attention to them.
You are lucky, there are some good independent nurseries near our house but they do not have display gardens.
I could wander around nurseries forever and this one looks wonderful. I did like the staff and loved that huge red pot. Lovely plants too.xxx
I liked the red pot also. Wish we lived in a climate where we could leave something like that outside all year.
I do like to visit nurseries when I visit other areas. It is fun to get new ideas…especially if you get a chance to speak with some of the growers on premise.
I agree, talking to the growers lets you get much more out of the visit.
I can’t pass up a nursery, display garden or garden-related shop on the road or at home. R. is the same about galleries and museums, so it’s sometimes a tug-o-war.
I hear you. We are currently in negotiations about how many gardens we will visit on an upcoming trip.
Visiting new nurseries has always been one of my favorite things to do. I had a real ball doing so when I lived in Florida.
Visiting a nursery is always a good time.
It was definitely a cool place to visit, even though most of the plants wouldn’t grow in my climate, either. I liked that it wasn’t a big retail nursery but a REAL nursery staffed with folks who know their stuff.
And a friendly dog.
I love visiting nurseries in places new to me, especially if I have an empty car! Cistus is a great place that I get to visit several times a year as it’s only two and a half hours from my house. Remembering that nice warm summer day is quite sweet now that it’s cold (relatively speaking) and wet outside!
The empty car is key, I think. That’s the frustrating thing about flying to a location and visiting nurseries.
What a great nursery. I love the lily. The white flower is Galtonia candicans. It doesn’ t bloom for long, but it is pretty and easy from seed.
It is a pretty flower, I just kind of assumed it was a Yucca flower stalk.
Jason, of course I like to visit nurseries and I can spend there all my money! lovely Yuccas, I’d love to purchase one or two. I grew Galtonia in a pot, it’s pretty.
Did you keep the pot indoors? It’s not a very hardy plant.
Love all your photos of this nursery, which take me back, and make me want to return again. I haven’t found a nursery like this or Joy Creek back here in St Louis yet, but I keep looking.
We have some decent nurseries in our area, but none with display gardens.
Can you believe I never visit nurseries in places I visit…usually I am visiting to see family so I never think about gardening on those visits.