I recently stopped to smell the roses, and went on a walk with my littles in NW Portland.

What inventive container gardening we found. Metal farm troughs used as vegetable beds beside a steep driveway:

Of course the neighbor gets in on the act:

Glazed tall containers mixed into established plantings:

And old-school wooden raised beds, not hidden behind garden gates but on display in the grass strip:

Lots of roses:

And textural ground covers mimicking roses:

Mini farm rows by the sidewalk:

Charming steps:

And a Portland blue sky.

If you would like to tour this neighborhood and more on June 28, 2014, visit sustainableoverlook.org for details.