Issue 11 - June 18, 2026

Dear gardener,

As patio gardening and gardening in small spaces has become increasingly popular, plant breeders and growers are responding to the increased demand by growing and cultivating shrubs that have been shaped into trees. These tree-form shrubs can create a large impact in a small space. Writer Emily Hoard looks at the trend and the offerings of these unique plants.

Plus there’s much more in this week’s newsletter:

The Oregon Garden in Silverton is celebrating its 25th anniversary with fun and festive events for the entire family.
National Pollinator Week is June 22–28, and there are many events to keep you buzzing.
Join the 2026 Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts for Wild & Luscious, a celebration of art, earth and the flavors that feed us.
And Vic celebrates the season with three recipes for fruity sangrias.

So go have some fun in the sun and exercise your green thumb!

— Your Plant Something Oregon Crew

Beth, Curt, Tess, and Vic

Smaller space, bigger bang

How tree-form shrubs can create large impact in a small space

By Emily Hoard

As container gardening on patios becomes more popular, gardeners are becoming more interested in shrubs that have been shaped into trees. These can create a large impact in a small space.

In 2008, during the Great Recession, there was a bright spotlight at wholesale grower Robinson Nursery Inc. in McMinnville, Oregon. Brothers Chris and Josh Robinson noticed that customers were still buying the nursery’s Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ trees, (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’). ‘Limelight’ features huge cone-shaped blooms as an ornamental shrub that growers meticulously shape to look like a tree. That became a defining moment for the Robinsons.

Read more about the trend

Celebrate The Oregon Garden’s 25th anniversary

The Oregon Association of Nurseries first dreamt of a public garden to serve as a showcase for Oregon’s horticultural products beginning in the 1940s. That dream became reality when The Oregon Garden opened its gates to the public on June 29, 2001.

Now the garden is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Join The Oregon Garden in celebrating 25 years of continued growth with an entire week full of events aimed at engaging the community. In honor of the schedule of festivities held during its Grand Opening in 2001, the garden has prepared a series of themed days that invite guests to reflect on where it's been, engage with its partners, support its mission and, most importantly – have a lot of fun!

View events and join the celebration

Celebrate National Pollinator Week June 22–28

Celebrate National Pollinator Week June 22–28 and support pollinator health, raise awareness for pollinators, and learn what you can do to protect them.

Events include:

Vancouver Pollinator Festival, Saturday June 20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sharing the Flowers: How Garden Design Affects Bees and Their Behavior, Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Al’s Garden & Home Kids’ Club: Buzz-Worthy Planter, Saturday June 20 and June 27 (various times and locations).

View event details

2026 Lake Oswego Festival of Arts highlights plants

Wild & Luscious, the 2026 Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, is happening Friday–Sunday, June 26–28 at the Lakewood Center and George Rogers Park in downtown Lake Oswego.

This large event will feature art that celebrates heritage plants and highlights the flavors, colors, and cultures that make our world delicious and alive. Organizers say there is a direct tie to gardening. “Every tomato, berry, and grain on our plates has a wild ancestor, and while much of that rich genetic diversity is at risk, the exhibit will help you discover how you can help keep them thriving,” they stated in an announcement.

Find more information

Anytime’s the perfect time for Sangria

By Vic Panichkul

I’ve been wondering why sangria isn’t a more popular summertime drink in our wine-drenched state.

Sangria’s a great party satisfier, refreshing and fruity — and it’s easy to make a large batch.

Sangria, typically a beverage found in Spain, normally consists of wine, chopped fruit, some fruit juice, sweetener, and brandy.

With the Mid-Valley’s red, white, and rosé wine options that abound, as well as wonderful fruit, it’s a win-win drink-drink situation. Combinations are limited only by your imagination. Pick fruit you like, wine you like, and you can even use flavored brandies that will complement the fruit you’re adding.

Here’s three to try:

Raspberry Apple Rosé Sangria
Cherry Nectarine White Sangria
Strawberry Blueberry Pinot Noir Sangria

View sangria recipes

Check out these upcoming gardening events and experience the joy of plants with other like-minded people. Learn a skill, solve a problem, get to know a new garden club, enjoy an activity — or best of all, bring home some new green friends for your yard or home! Plant Something Oregon is the home for great gardening events.

IMPORTANT: We encourage you to visit the websites for the events to make sure you are reading the most accurate and up-to-date information.

OSU Extension Service June Classes

Now–June 30

Date, time and location vary

Vancouver Pollinator Festival

Vancouver Bee Project

Saturday, June 20

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Vancouver, WA

Sharing the Flowers: How Garden Design Affects Bees and Their Behavior

Saturday, June 20

10–11:30 a.m.