The other Zone 8

We spent yesterday afternoon touring gardens in Northeast Portland. Our Florida gang really enjoyed seeing the gardens and marveled about all of the plants that grow here but don't grow at home, even though both Gainesville and Portland are in Zone 8. 

I was drooling over all of the gorgeous dahlias that we saw in every garden we visited. If only I could grow these! Every time I've bought dahlias at home they've died before I could even get them in the ground.

I've got oodles more photos, so I'll be posting more later. Stay tuned.