One of the most frequently asked questions here at Wind Dancer Garden is “How did you get interested in ornamental grasses?”
Actually, it was quite serendipitous. In the fall of 1995, I purchased a Miscanthus to plant in the backyard among other perennials.
Its winter interest was entirely intriguing, with an upright structure and filigree seedheads, its rustling sounds, and cover for the birds. Soon I was to learn how easy they were to care for, and how little water they needed. Plus, the deer didn’t eat them. I had to learn more about grasses.
In 1999, after much research and a few classes, Larry and I settled in West Salem, Oregon to begin our ornamental grass nursery, Wind Dancer Garden.
Our passion for grasses has grown steadily, and we now have over 100 varieties of grasses, bamboo and phormium. Six years ago, we decided to add a display garden that would showcase grasses as they would look in a landscape. First, we brought in flat rocks to build raised beds, filled with compost, 1/4 -10 gravel, sand, and native soil, to cater to their need for good drainage. They thrived. Now, as the garden is becoming shadier, and new varieties come on the scene, we recognize our need to edit the beds.
Our unique specialty nursery has prompted interest from the media. Much of our initial success was due to Mike Darcy, who videoed our garden for his television program and interviewed me on his radio program. Barbara Blossom included us in her articles, and most recently, Kym Porkorny, from the Oregonian has expressed interest in doing an article on Wind Dancer Garden. I have presented programs to numerous Garden Clubs, as well as Mike Darcy’s Nerd Night.
As I write, the grasses are in their glory. Please visit our virtual tour to experience the magic of grasses.
Connect with us online as well at any of these websites:
- YOUTUBE – www.youtube.com/designingwithgrasses
- FACEBOOK – www.facebook.com/designingwithgrasses
- TWITTER – www.twitter.com/designwithgrass
Also, we invite you to Contact Us for an appointment to come see our nursery in person. You’ll want to make sure we are home. We are open if we’re here, but occasionally we shop our favorite nurseries too!
Carolyn and Larry Kolb
Phone: 503-364-5537
Email: WindDancerGarden[@]hotmail[dot]com
Wind Dancer Garden Address:
4307 Orchard Heights Rd. NW
Salem, OR 97304 map
