Our Story

Poet Garden Girls

Drake and Ilex

Poet's Garden

 Holly, Drake, and Ilex

Our family dreams turned into an adventure when Poet’s Garden opened June of 1999. Shannon Henshaw conspired with her mother, Cheri Dunbar, and sisters, Heidi Scovel and Holly Karstens, to create a picturesque home, garden, and gift shop in the Mid-Willamette Valley. We decided to build the two vaulted rooms, attached by a covered courtyard, among an existing rose garden for the perfect ambiance. Our husbands and especially dad, John Dunbar, were great sports handling the construction. An herb garden designed by Holly and a welcome garden have also taken shape.

Hunting for just the perfect treasures to fill our petite cottages has become our favorite girls’ outing. When we see our customers (Our new friends) “ooh la la” over the items we have picked out for them…our mission is accomplished! Over the years our product offerings have expanded to include a wide repertoire such as garden ornament, lamps, European soaps, linens, candles, wall art, baby gifts, books, ribbons, papers, and even jewelry. Customers delight in finding such selection and quantity in an unexpected location. Even our frequent visitors comment on our ever-changing product thanks to our keen eye for displays and constantly arriving merchandise.

Since opening, we have found ways to treat our customers to “a day in the garden.” Every June, when the roses are in full bloom, we host a lavish tea party. Live music, herb classes, and fashion shows pepper our summer schedule. Our most enchanting soiree of the year is our evening Christmas preview complete with hors d’oeuvres and sparkling cider served on silver platters. The glimmering lights, frosty air, and Christmas music set the mood for a fabulous holiday season.

The latest buzz around Poet’s Garden is about a feature in Victoria magazine. June of 2002 brought Victoria staffers, Nina, Dominique and Frank to the Willamette Valley and into our garden. Three educational and entertaining days were spent learning about the production side of the publication we had so long admired. The magazine that began inspiring our business of bliss 17 years ago is now giving us a chance to inspire others!

Now as we bring our business to the internet, we are excited to share our dream with others who appreciate our poetic style.

Poet Garden Girls Signature

Garden Setting

Luke

Cheri and Ilex

Russ, Levi, Heidi, and Luke

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