5100 Mountain Crest Way
Salem, Oregon
Background -
Rose Garden and
Landscaping
"The Full Story"
by Doug Depue, homeowner
“ I started looking for my future home in Salem in late 2003. After almost two weeks of being shown numerous houses, I came across one that was badly in need of being painted and required numerous repairs and upgrading. Most of the yard was practically devoid of foliage with a Maple tree in front and several bushes along the south side of the property with only two ailing Spruce trees, four small shrubs and several rose bushes, which were inconspicuously situated behind the house. It was, to put it frankly, something of an eyesore.
I could envision how nice it could be if someone would simply invest enough into it to enhance the appearance of the property to achieve some form of harmony with the rest of the neighborhood. After an expenditure of over $55,0000.00 on repairs, improvements and additions, the house now fits very comfortably into the well maintained properties on Mountain Crest Way S., where pride in ownership is evident throughout the vicinity.
Along with new cedar decking in both the front and back, I slowly set out to create a garden that would appeal to anyone who viewed it and give me a sense of satisfaction in enjoying the plants for myself while I lived here. I had seven chamaecyparis trees planted in an arc to eventually provide privacy for the front deck area and took out the small shrubs and added four larger ones. The sickly spruce trees were removed and a Sunburst Honeylocust tree was planted along with a small Colorado Blue Spruce. Skimmia plants were placed in such a way, along with some hanging ivy and ferns, as to conceal the garden tool and supply area underneath the front deck and give living color to places along the side of the house which were previously barren. Pyracanthas were set up to grow on lattices, covering a large barren wall area with greenery and seasonal red berries. Hanging fuchsias were placed at the entrance to the garden supply area to further enclose it with natural materials.
The central theme of the new landscaping, however, was to become a rose garden with bushes that I personally selected while driving around parts of Oregon and visiting various regional nurseries as well as shopping locally. I sought rose bushes that produced a wide variety of colors and styles and kept them well watered and fertilized. The result has been a profusion of attractive displays of multi-colored roses, which has brought numerous compliments from many passers-by, both neighbors and visitors. I have always appreciated roses for their beautiful colors and varied fragrances and having developed such a pleasant array of plants has been very satisfying. Most of the rose bushes are growing in appealing planters that make watering them easy and convenient during dry years when water is too precious to waste on ground saturation.
There are a number of seasonal flowers planted here also, including petunias, lilies, and red-hot pokers. Mint plants are available most of the year for drinks and sauces. The garden is beautified by goldrus flagstone steps, marble chip walkways, mulched flowerbeds and lava-filled spaces between the garden stone encased flowerbeds. The enhanced appearance of the property has made living here a genuine pleasure throughout the year.” - Doug Depue, homeowner
