Look at these Agaves! Incredible…
I realize now that I was shooting to keep the gate out of the pictures, so the viewer might end up wondering why I didn’t take a step or two up for a better shot. In addition to my “stay on the street” rule, there was a decorative wrought iron gate at the bottom step, keeping the curious hoi polloi out.
I did drive around to the front of the house though, wanting to see if that garden was on par. Instead I discovered you approach the house via a narrow, dead-end alley. Making it all seem even more European somehow.
They even have a small green house; I wonder what magnificent things are over-wintering in there?
I wouldn't mind living there! It was refreshing to see such creative landscaping. It goes perfectly with the house.
ReplyDeleteOh ya, if I had the opportunity to live here I would be very happy.
DeleteIt looks like the house and garden were designed at the same time, to complement each other perfectly. Good observation about reaching the through a narrow alley feeling more European, it does!
ReplyDeleteAs I was walking down the alley I was having flashbacks to all the exploring I did when we were in Italy.
DeleteThat is the dream!!!!! Wow! They must have had a clear vision for that garden. It's inspiring for sure! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDream indeed! My co-plant luster Patricia tipped me off to this marvel, I probably should have waited until the light wasn't quite so golden (it gave the photos an odd quality) but I couldn't. Had to do it right then!
DeleteAmazing garden! When I see these photos I am impressed with how well you do this. I've tried it a few times and need to be bolder and get used to the stares.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sure someday someone is going to come out of a house and tell me to stop taking pictures. I just hope they don't have a gun.
DeleteVery nice find! Surely the hilly side is the front though?
ReplyDeleteI suppose you could look at it that way. Although I'm sure everyone who enters the house must do it from the other side (from the alley). The street is very narrow and curvy and there isn't really a great place to park below. Plus if the gate at the bottom of the stairs is locked it would be a very long walk around.
DeleteA breath of dry air...
ReplyDeleteLovely, just lovely!
That large Agave made me want to sponsor a "who has the biggest agave in Portland" contest!
DeleteWow. It's fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOf course!
DeleteLove this garden! I especially like the second photo with the agave, red berries and moss on the step and rocks. Beautiful color combo. At first, I thought this was the garden of an acquaintance of mine that lives on NE 33rd St. but as I went through the photos I realize I was mistaken. I love seeing the occasional mediterranean house and garden in PDX and I need to get more into some of these style of plants since I live in a low rainfall area now!
ReplyDeleteOh I bet I know exactly what house/garden on NE 33rd you are talking about! I drive that street almost daily and I always end up setting at the light on 33rd and Fremont staring at that garden. I LOVE it. I've always wanted to see what's behind the wall.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI think you should send them a postcard with a link to this post.
I'm sure they'd be very pleased ( I know I would).
Good idea!
DeleteSo who says we can't have the best of both worlds. I thought I spotted a phormium in there, so there must be some wort of magic afoot.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a very Phormium friendly winter hasn't it? Figures when I stop planting them in the ground they survive.
DeleteVery cool garden, and house color! Nice combos, and if anyone doubts Portland, the luxurient moss growth should convince them. Way to go.
ReplyDeleteI've only had 2-3 people in 20 years of such photos wonder what I was doing, and I tell them, "taking photos of ___ from the public right-of-way". One time a police officer wondered why I was taking pics of my own courtyard (!), another time a person wanted free advice on his landscape and Pencil Cholla.
Agreed, I thought the house color really completed the whole tableaux.
DeleteI do think the fact that you can sit in front of your computer and Google practically any address in the US and then magically be standing in front of the house looking at it has made people less worried when they see someone snapping pictures of a house or garden. We are all so used to being "watched."
I walk by this garden often -- so dramatic. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! Have you ever glimpsed the gardener or homeowner?
DeleteYes, you found the Agave oasis. I've been seeing those metal wire sphere (you have on in the 7th pic down). All have been new, but they actually look pretty cool with a lot of rust on them. Fun trip...Matti
ReplyDeleteRust is definitely a bonus.
DeleteI love those Bergenias in the first shot. I feel like every time I see a greenhouse it is empty. That makes me really sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd empty greenhouse is kind of like an empty bookshelf. Who wants that!
DeleteIt's always amazing to me to see such a garden...and on such a steep slope...I have a little bit of anxiety thinking about that slope...eek!
ReplyDeleteAs in when it rains really hard your house and garden might start sliding down the hill?
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! I love the golden light. It makes the house & garden seem even more magical. Thanks for sharing so many cool gems with us!
ReplyDeleteJust when I think I've seen all the cool garden drive-by's another presents itself. I hope they keep coming!
DeleteWow... You don't stumble onto something like that everyday. What an incredible agave! This far north no less.... I'm blown away. Excellent spy work!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you!
DeleteTheir own secret garden...sort of.
ReplyDeleteSort of indeed. Not secret to those that zoom by on a short cut, but secret to most of Portland.
DeleteAh, now that's my idea of the perfect use of a steep slope, especially in Portland. This garden looks like one I see on Fremont Ave., but different, too. What a great find!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm exceedingly and unattractively jealous of that olive tree!
ReplyDeleteI know! Isn't it wonderful to see a a steep slope like this being used to grow these kind of plants.
DeleteOhhhhh, I want to go to there.
ReplyDeleteLike in the garden? Getting close up and personal? Me too.
DeleteMegan and I used to sneak up the stairs to take a few pictures. And then one day, that gate appeared. I pretty sure it was coincidental...
ReplyDeleteI thought I remembered Megan talking about walking up the stairs...being right next to that monster Agave. Suppose I can't blame you, if I had reinforcements I just might have been so bold.
DeleteNow that is truly impressive, especially the Agaves. It demonstrates what could be possible in Northwest gardens. I hope you have a chance to meet whoever is behind this sometime.
ReplyDeleteThis garden definitely makes me wish we'd bought a place on a hillside!
DeleteWow! Here I thought agaves were all very cold sensitive.
ReplyDeleteNot at all, moisture sensitive yes but many of them can withstand very cold temperatures.
DeleteHow fun to see our garden on your blog! We both enjoy gardening and I must say the garden can be a little dangerous at times! We have found people wandering up the path a few times and it is always a little startling until you realize they just wanted to see more garden. Your blog is treat I enjoyed paging through.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to hear from you! Your garden has been admired far and wide (as it should be)...I have to admit if the gate hadn't been there I might not have been able to mind my own rule about not trespassing.
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