A City Garden for People and Critters
So another garden that we visited during the Portland Garden Bloggers Fling was that of Tamara, who writes the blog Chickadee Gardens. I liked that this wildlife-friendly garden is on a 50’x100′ city lot.
The front has a pleasing mix of small trees, perennials, annuals, and grasses.
In the parkway the mix of plants looks full but not wild or overgrown. That’s a Fling coach back there.
Parts of the front were in strong sun, others were partly shaded by trees.
I liked the use of these tiny sedums (?) as a groundcover.
Tamara’s garden has a seal of approval from the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, a collaboration between the Portland Audubon Society and a regional land trust. This program sounds much more substantial and exacting than the one run by the National Wildlife Federation.
The back garden has a sort of courtyard feel. Seeing this garden shed made me want to fly back home and paint my house blue or turquoise.
Tamara welcomes birds and other wildlife with feeders, bird baths, brush piles, bat houses, and 200 plant species native to the Pacific Northwest.
Space is also made for growing fresh food for the human inhabitants of Chickadee Gardens.
The house opens onto a deck overlooking the back garden.
Check out the green roof.
There was a lot more to this garden, which had the feel of a lush oasis. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to talk much with Tamara, but clearly she is a skilled and creative gardener.
gardeninacity 
I really love that green rood. So creative!
I agree.
Tamara’s garden is wonderful – it is so vibrantly alive! 🙂
And I liked that it shows how you can do a lot on a limited space.
Ha! Ain’t that the truth!
I would love to create a green roof, that looks wonderful, nice to look back too on summer visits on a chilly morning.
The thing about green roofs is you have to be sure about weight bearing capacity. I love the concept, but it makes me a little nervous.
Awesome garden. Looks like she found the perfect spot for tomatoes too.
I had the exact same thought about the tomatoes!
Lovely garden and I love her pop of color here and there.
Especially the blue shed!
What a cool, inviting garden this is! I can just picture the owners sitting there enjoying nature and all the wonderful little creatures that have made this chemical free garden their little piece of safe heaven. And the color on the shed is just such a happy, cheerful touch.
I love the shed also.
This is delightful and amazing. I enjoy Portland and the Pacific Northwest, so I very much appreciate your posts from the Portland garden fling.
It’s fun to go through the photographs from the trip, a little time travel back into summer.
I live in Portland and so happy that you were able to visit. Lots of gardeners in in Portland and we love to show off. Hope you have a chance to come back.
Thanks, Patricia. I definitely want to come back! By the way, I’m not sure if you meant to have a link back to your blog, but if you did it doesn’t seem to be working.
I love the blue house. Go for it.
Now if I can only convince Judy.
She’s done a great job packing so many interesting plants into this space.
Very true.
I suspect a little more color will be showing up all over the country now that the Flingers have seen Tamara’s artful use of it.
I suspect you are right.
What a delightful garden, filled with interest and charm! I especially like the green roof! I keep meaning to put one on my sheds.xxx
Some day I’d like to have a green roof, but it is far down the list of future possible projects.
That garden has a nice “lived in” feel to it. I love the color of the shed!
Me too. It really called out to me.
Love the green roof! Wish I would have seen that one. The pathways and the patios look so approachable and comfortable.
Along with the lushness, the garden had very homey, cozy feel
A very beautiful and comfortable garden.
It is indeed.
I too have a 50×100 lot including built structures, so I know the planning that goes into making a garden to both satisfy the passerby and the wildlife. I appreciate seeing small garden designs that do more for wildlife. It looks like you had a great time in Portland.
My mental image of your garden is one that is so much larger, based on the photos from your blog.
A pretty garden. I love the shed and the living roof. I never thought of painting the shed such a vibrant color, but why not?
I love seeing city wildlife gardens..wonderful!