The landscaping at this urban strip-mall has me gawking every time I drive-by. Each time I think “I should stop and take a few pictures,” but it’s a busy street and whenever I’m passing I’m on my way somewhere else.
As you can see I finally stopped, not only is it stunning at 30 mph but it's well maintained too. I kind of hoped up-close I'd discover a hidden gem, something I couldn't see from the street, but that wasn't the case. Still these big bold plants, like the Yucca…
Tall Trachy’s…
(seeds from last year’s blooms)
And Bamboo…
Are unexpected and thus pack a punch.
Well done!
Wait..Trachycarpus flowers? And then produces seedpods? Yee-Haa!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Alison! The flowers are very cool, they look like claws as they emerge and then sort of a weird yellow tassel. I'll be sure to take a picture of my neighbors (currently blooming) on Bloomday, just for you!
DeleteSo there's a male and female in that group of trachycarpus plantings for that specimen to produce seeds, nice!
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to tell which is which?
DeleteWhen they are in flower, the female plants have upright flowers and the males have more showy and droopy flowers.
DeletePlus the one with seeds on now will be the female.
Ah so my neighbors plant is male. Mine has never flowered, hopefully it will some year, and be female...they are only about 15 ft apart...babies!
DeleteThat is fantastical! It is so fun to pull into a place like that. I agree with you on the hidden gem but those yuccas are stunners! I hope other businesses take note!! It's actually a smart choice for so many reasons, but at least commercially those palms and yuccas provide year round interest and will not grow to hide the mall like other trees might.
ReplyDeleteAnd besides looking great they really are low maintenance plants.
DeleteWe have enjoyed that planting for years. In fact, the Mulchman has lately been advocating for more Trachys planted closer together after watching that planting perform. But I've never looked at it up close - those seeds are very cool! Maybe my two will make seed-babies!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Mulchman is getting his way?
DeleteThat is nice, even though if that was the Danger Cafe, it might have some Yucca rostrata towering overhead as well. Wish we could grow Trachys in the open surrounded by asphalt like that, but enter Yucca elata, Y. faxoniana, Y. rostrata, etc. Nice Cascadian themes for winter and urban interest. Amazing what's out there!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who hates the hairy trunks of the Trachys, thankfully they don't bother me. Your Yucca list is pretty sweet, not suffering at all.
DeleteAch ! Is this the beautiful little former downtown baseball park by the Maxx stop at King and ??
ReplyDeleteIt is the former baseball park right by the Max stop. Out with the Beavers, in with the Timbers.
DeleteHey, that looks like the project Nick A. did about 15 (?) years ago at Burnside and about 18th. I wonder if he still maintains it?
ReplyDeleteDo I know this Nick A.? You've definitely got the location right.
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