I took some time off last week and headed to the coast to celebrate my Dad’s birthday. While there, I took a side trip with my family to visit the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve, a hidden gem of a garden along the Central Oregon Coast just north of Yachats.
The garden was started in 1981 by Jim and Janice Gerdemann as a place to test the hardiness of rare and unusual plants. Jim was a renowned mycologist, with a PhD in plant pathology from UC Berkeley. He studied Rhododendrons as well as other unusually species with a focus on the interaction between mycorrhizae and plants.
After the Gerdemanns passed away, a portion of the property was put into a conservation easement with trails connecting to the neighboring national forest. The house and rest of the gardens are open by appointment only so while I missed them this visit, I plan to return next spring. What a great place to observe and study for those interested in preserving the gardens of Lord and Schryver.
Fungi were the career focus of the garden’s namesake 
The huge loderi rhododendrons would be spectacular in the spring 
Mom and Dad hiking through the lush canopy of Sitka spruce and rhododendrons 
Gunnera in the creek 
Polypodium fern 
The Alstromeria reminded me of Chile 
Kirengeshoma palmata 
The entrance to the botanic preserve is through several art galleries
What a way to preserve a garden legacy! The naturalistic areas are open to the public year-round, the manicured gardens may be viewed on docent led tours, and the home may be rented through Airbnb!
Assuming we are no longer sequestered at home in spring 2021, the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve will be on the volunteer gardeners’ field trip list!
Stay well,
Mark
thanks for sharing this with us, Mark ! It would indeed be a wonderful place to visit .
Wish your father a Happy Birthday for all of us !