Skipping over the Hydrangea (which I guess I didn’t deem photo worthy, though it really is looking good this year) the Hostas continue (the brown wall is the north side of our garage).
Here’s the cliché hand for scale photo, I’m really amazed by the size of the Syneilesis leaves this year…
And finally my Veratrum californicum has decided to bloom!
Skipping over the spot where Clifford (our big leafed Magnolia) is growing, and the walkway and steps to the patio, here’s the monster Echium…with my 6ft 2in husband for scale. Can you believe that thing?
I so hope the flowers fade to a less pink color, soon! With all the orange accents in my garden I really don’t need a big pink tower…
I thought I’d toss in a shot of the area I featured earlier in the week…
This group of planters sets on cement slabs in front of the old Rhody space. I usually plant an Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' in the tall green container but I didn’t want anything so big this year. Instead I filled it with assorted pups and desert plants from my vacation last fall.
Still can’t get enough of the Rodgersia...
Stepping back…
The area in front of this stock tank has also been reworked this spring. It was a MASS of overgrown Hakonechloa…which (as you can see) I still have plenty of. I dug it out and moved it behind the stock tanks to the west of the patio. The goal was to have a place to put a couple of containers since I’m trying to work more of them in around the garden.
Looking at the back of the house…
New growth on the Schefflera.
I guess it’s time I share the tragic news…my Clematis tibetana var. vernayi has not returned. Tired of looking at the empty container I planted it up with over-wintered Graptopetalum to help hide it. Since they were just cuttings with no roots I could do so without disturbing the Clematis, in case it was in there still thinking about growing. So sad…
Last winter was no problem for this Acacia pravissima, the darn thing is getting so big I’m going to be heartbroken if (when?) it gets hit…
Okay now we’re at the west end (back side) of the garage next to the orange shade pavilion. I divided and transplanted an Acanthus two years ago, they are finally recovering with multiple bloom spikes emerging.
Behind the shade pavilion and up against the neighbors fence is this happy situation. Everything here is in containers and mingling so nicely! Darmera peltata, Osmunda cinnamomea and Astilboides tabulari.
And finally the Tetrapanax and Gunnera stock tanks…
As you’ve probably noticed the back garden is fairly lush and private compared to the open sunny front garden. Where things get really sunny and warm in the back yard is on the patio, where the majority of my containers (and their spiky contents) hang out. I haven’t managed to take pictures of that area yet (truth be told I just finished planting some of the containers last Friday), I’ll put that on the to-do list…
The back garden is looking fantastic Loree! The borders are looking pristine too and all plants looks so healthy. Well done on getting an Echium to flower, yep it is a biggie! I also like the multiple flushes on your schefflera, it's going to look really lush in just a few weeks time.
ReplyDeletePristine....that word scares me...not even close! (although I do thank you)
DeleteHaving recently seen this in person, I'm a little annoyed that this wasn't just selective photography. Everything looks that good! I covet your yard.
ReplyDeleteReally? Thank you Heather!
DeleteIt's beautifully lush and tropical and the few spikes for punctuation make the point! From what I'm hering, you were wise to corral your Tetrapanax...I'm wondering if I will regret planting mine out in the garden. The shefflera's new growth is great, but I'm dismayed at your concern about the Acacia pravissima - somehow I thought it was fairly hardy here.
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for the Hakonechloa...it's settling in nicely!
This is the only Tetrapanx that is corralled, after planting this one I got brave and there are two others loose in the
Deletelandscape. From what I've experienced it is super easy to pull up any babies that aren't where you want them.
I know a few people who lost this Acacia in our arctic blasts...this one is in a protected spot, but I'm prepared for the worst.
SO gorgeous! Everything looks so happy and healthy! How do you do it? My garden is full of dead spots where my dogs made peeing posts of certain plants, hail damage, mysterious buggaboo holes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your plants will surely need some dividing some day. Call me;-)
I have the world best dog when it comes to the garden, she hasn't destroyed much at all.
DeleteSo are you offering to help divide?
I'm so impressed with Mr. Happy. The Echium that is, not your husband. Although I'm sure he is happy too with your wonderful garden. You gave me some inspiration as I start planning on downsizing the Heuchera in my yard and adding some new plants, such as a Syneilesis.
ReplyDeleteYes! Seriously you need a few Syneilesis, they are the best and so easy! As for Mr Happy he's the last Echium standing, the others have succumbed to the rain.
DeleteThat Echium is awesome. I have not seen it that big before. Also, I love what you did in the corner with the bamboo in containers. Bamboo can often become a problem when it decides to spread, but the container is an awesome solution. Thank!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm still kind of freaked out by how big that Echium is...
DeleteThat is really great. I love how lush everything is along the house there. And I'm really loving your stock tanks. It's a great answer to plants like bamboo that tend to go rogue wild. I'm sorry about your clematis! But, nice trachycarpus! it should explode with growth this year if it has been there a while to settle in. It seems to take two years for me. One year for it to really establish, 2nd year they fill out and get lush, and then BAM! My happiest trachy can grow 1.5 feet of trunk per year.
ReplyDeleteWe had that poor Trachy in a pot for too long. We finally put it in the ground in 2010 so hopefully you are right on and it will explode this year....I dream of that!
DeleteSpectacular! I'm with Heather in the coveting department.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ricky! I was really happy with last years garden but I think I like this one even more....
DeleteSo beautiful, Loree! Thanks for the husband for perspective picture; I hadn't realized from previous posts how huge that Echium is - WOW! Your garden is amazingly gorgeous and well thought out!
ReplyDeleteWell thought out...but wait you've been here!!! How can you say that? What a kind man...
DeleteYour garden is looking pristine Loree.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a sunny only person, but I have warmed to shade (full, partial, light, etc.) over the years.
The Syneilesis leaves are wonderful! I did not realise that they reached such a size and the growth on your Schefflera looks very healthy as well.
I think the luckiest gardeners are the ones who have a mix of sun, shade, a few areas in between. I am indeed lucky that way.
Delete*Sigh* I can look at these pictures all day long! I have a question for you... how long have you had your Hakone grass? We got ours in the fall and it's been very slow taking off. I never see it for sale around here and I have no idea how well or if they do here but I'm in high hopes. We actually just finished moving them in front of the pond about an hour ago.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved to Portland that grass was like Crack for me, seriously! Every time I went to a nursery or plant sale I bought some. Most of the plants have been in the ground for 5 years. The one I moved was one plant which I made SEVEN plants out of. It was crazy. I wish you were closer so I could share some.
DeleteI would probably put my jonsing for them at that level! I'm hoping they'll thrive in their new location. They'll get a couple hours of direct sunlight.
DeleteOMG I wish I could take some off your hands! One day we hope to live on the mid-northern left coast.
And of course, I hit 'publish' before I was finished asking questions! Do you happen to know if there are any Dorothy Benedict hostas in your area? I must have one: http://pinterest.com/pin/76068681176166754/
ReplyDeleteGoogle has not been helpful.
I don't know that one but I understand your desire. None of my Hosta are pedigreed in fact most of them came with me from Spokane.
DeleteBased on my own experience, I think your echium will remain pink. However, you are likely to get hundreds (thousands?) of seedlings next spring, which often end up being various shades of blue, pink, and the hues in-between. We found that in our garden (which was on Vashon Island in Puget Sound) we had to protect the young plants the first winter by covering (we also gave them large Christmas lights for a little warmth—very festive!), but the second winter they were large enough to survive multiple snows and temps in the lower 20's. By the way, young seedlings transplant and/or pot up beautifully..
ReplyDeleteThanks for your posts and photos. They're an inspiration!
Thousands!! Really? That is if it can stay standing, my other two have fallen over, before there could be seeds. Hopefully this one will be stronger.
DeleteYou are kind to use the word inspire...
That Echium is great. I have a Mr. Happy and I can't believe how huge it is from its little 4" pot planted in February. Can't wait for it to bloom next year.
ReplyDeleteIsn't just amazing how much they can grow? Even in just a couple of months!
DeleteLooks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb, and thanks for the fun email photos too!
DeleteYour garden has certainly grown in full and lush, with some fabulous foliage, not to mention monster echium!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a monster huh? I hope it's arm can live on...
DeleteAmazing variety of plants. I love how masterfully you've combined different textures. The downside is that looking at these photos makes me very envious: I wish I could grown gunneras, rodgersia, tetrapanax and the myriad other large-leaved perennials in our climate. Just too hot and dry. But your blog lets me experience all these wonderful plants vicariously.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your use of stock tanks. I think they're sadly under-utilized in residential gardens.
And I thank you for reminding me how good I've got it here...
DeleteAmazing!! Just amazing.....your yard is where I first heard of the Hakon.....grass....I imagine it in one of my gardens all the time.
ReplyDeleteDo they not sell Hakonechloa in Florida?
DeleteI am so tempted to get an Acanthus, I'm just not sure where to put it. I just bought some cardoons and artichokes this year, I'm hoping they get huge. I always love looking at your garden beds, you have such an interesting range of foliage shapes! What a bummer about your Clematis.
ReplyDeleteOh Alison...you NEED an Acanthus! They are such wonderful plants! Foliage and flower....
DeleteI really enjoyed seeing how you used containers around the bed plantings and I love the tidy, clean lines of your landscaping. As many others have said, the variety of your foliage is striking! Cheers ~ Jenni
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenni! I'm really trying to have more containers all thought the garden this year.
Deleteooo-ee Loree, the house color you chose was pure genius.
ReplyDeletePure genius is pretty high praise, but personally I haven't grown tired of it yet.
DeleteYour back garden looks so lush! The combinations of lush foliage, different colors and shapes looks amazing and relaxing. I may have to see if some of those can make it out here in the desert. Thank you for sharing those pictures.
ReplyDeleteUhm...I forget exactly where in the desert you are but I wish you luck.
DeleteLove the photo with hostas, Syneilesis, and ferns against the dark wall. The plants look like they're crowding out each other to get to be in front in your photo.
ReplyDeleteOh, all the nice moist plants you guys get to have up there...
Looks like we might be setting more rain records for the month of June...moist we are very good at.
DeleteI've recently started reading your blog and love it! I've just been gardening for a couple of years and find your plants and insight so inspiring - also happy to be in Portland too and see what works in this climate. Your yard looks stunning, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel...thank you and glad to "meet" a fellow Portlander!
DeleteGarden is looking fabulous! You are fearless with that Equisetum not on concrete. Hosta envy, of course.
ReplyDeleteYou don't think the galvanized metal can contain it? Yikes!
DeleteI keep thinking I've going to have to divide the Hosta someday, god I hate the thought.
I've been enjoying your blog for several months, and that echium has caused me to finally de-lurk. I planted a little one last year, and it is finally starting to grow.
ReplyDelete--Janis--
Hi Janis...thanks for visiting and de-lurking! Are you in a part of the world where your Echium will sail through the winter or are you taking risks? Either way I hope you get to see it erupt in bloom!
DeleteOoh, love that Echium in bloom.
ReplyDelete