High-summer visit to Cistus Nursery

Do you ever have a day when you just have to get out and drive? You don’t have a destination in mind you just need to drive.I think that’s how I process things. When my mind is overwhelmed and ideas keep crashing into each other I drive and I work through it all. I usually end up with a destination even if I don’t start out with one. This time it was Cistus Nursery. I guess I also felt like taking pictures, because I took a lot of them (this shot is looking back down the entrance drive towards the main street).

If you would like to join me on this nursery visit there are a few things you need to do to get in the right spirit. First of all it needs to be about 83 degrees wherever you are, sunny and warm but not hot, and just a little muggy. Next you need to put on your Cesaria Evora CD and play it at high volume. She is fabulous, they often play her music at the nursery, and were when I arrived. They are set up with outdoor speakers that allow you to enjoy the music while you roam around the nursery and display garden. It’s not obnoxious it’s wonderful. Third…crush some Eucalyptus. The smell in the air needs to be intoxicating. Resinous, fresh and yet strong and just a little overpowering…all at the same time. Done? Okay….let’s get started.

We’ve been strolling around the display garden thus far. I believe this is “Matilija Poppy” or Romneya coulteri or “Fried-Egg Flowers”...

And the foliage.

The dark plant in the forground is actually rusted metal.

I feel kind of personally responsible for this sign. Had I not wandered out of bounds a few times…

And now my favorite nursery entrance ever…

Spiky beauty is everywhere!

Well done Agave container… Agave Americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ family...

Agave bracteosa 'Montery Frost'...

Mangave 'Bloodspot.'

Yucca angustissima 'South Side' – a Cistus introduction…diminutive relative of Y. elata. Frost hardy to zone 5!

Dioon edule – widespread genus of cycad from Mexico producing up to 4 ft fans of blue grey leaves.

Begonia luxurians – Palm Leaf Begonia. From Brazil, zone 10.

Polka dot Begonia (my name….I don’t believe that is what was on the tag).

Dioon spinulosum – Basically this is your best bet if you’re trying to grow a cycad outdoors in the Pacific Northwest (so says the tag).

Variegated Cast Iron plant, Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata.'

Mahonia eurybracteata, zone 7.

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ zone 8.

Restio (I didn't get the name).

Manihot grahamii - hardy form (Hardy Tapioca). South American native…root hardy in upper zone 7. From Tony Avent (Plant Delights Nursery). It's BEAUTIFUL!

Symphytum x uplandicum Variegated Comfrey.

Kniphofia 'Toffee Nosed'… I believe….

Yucca purpurea, yet not so purpurea, maybe due to the shade?

Archtostaphylos x 'Marth Ewan' – a new Manzanita introduced by Xera plants, zone 6.

Ok now we are in the spiky corner…(would you guess this is one of my favorite places?)...

Agave 'Ruth Bancroft' or Shark Skin Agave (from the tag).

Yucca baccata.

Manfreda undulata 'Chocolate Chip'...

Dasylirion texanum.

So there it is. About an hour’s worth or wandering through heaven. And that’s all I did. Wander, smell, snap pictures, caress the foliage and enjoy. Having to decide what treasures to take home would have ruined the experience. Better to leave empty handed and know I can return again to see them all.