Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Celebrating a birthday

I’m going to start this post with a bit of a disclaimer: if you're not a dog person, or at least a pet lover, you’re going to be rolling your eyes and thinking me insane. You’ve been warned.

We recently celebrated Lila’s 12th birthday. The celebration traditionally includes a small smoked dog bone from a nearby butcher as well as an “adventure” which for her means a ride in the car and a walk in a new neighborhood where there are lots of unfamiliar places to explore, bonus if there are piles of leaves too (pretty easy this time of year). Since Andrew and I were interested in lunch we inquired at McMenamins Chapel Pub and were told we were welcome to set with her outside and they even brought us a heater! Here's the birthday girl and, well, her "dad"...

We ordered just after a group of 25 (baby shower) so it took awhile for our food to arrive (and who am I kidding, MeMenamins is hardy known for speedy service). While waiting, and enjoying a fine glass of wine, I admired the plants from our table tucked just under the eaves. The leaves of their Catalina Ironwood (much funner to say than Lyonothamnus floribundus var. asplenifolius) looked so pretty silhouetted against the white sky.

And even better when I finally got up to walk around and explore a bit.

Tiny cones on a Metasequoia (I think?)

Well what have we here?

A major case of zonal denial! Acacia cognata Cousin Itt, I believe.

Only hardy to 20 - 25F this will be a grand test. A little urban heat island might be enough to keep it alive, if we have a mild winter.

Speaking of mild, the colocasia are still looking good.

This Schefflera taiwaniana was transplanted after a new patio installation was completed earlier this summer. I've been watching to see how it responded. It's not thrilled with the move but doing okay.

It looks like it will be fine long term.

This (on the right) is the biggest Edgeworthia I've ever seen...there could be entire villages lost in there and nobody would know.

No wonder I love the McMenamins plantings...they practice the same "cram-it" style of gardening that I do.

Up close on the right I think that's a Grevillea australis...

I'm only beginning recognize this one so I could be wrong.

Mahonia x media 'Charity', I believe...

And lordy! A gorgeous callistemon ( 'Woodlander's Hardy Red' perhaps) being swallowed by Muehlenbeckia axillaris...oh the horror!

A horror I feel personally as it nearly happened in my garden. I still love Muehlenbeckia axillaris but realize now that it's bent on world dominance.

Seriously.

Thankfully the callistemon seems to be doing just fine, thank you very much.

Flaming ginkgo, with a lovely blue powdery base.

The sexy smooth bark of an Arctostaphylos.

Brachyglottis greyi (Senecio greyi)

Behind the Chapel Pub is an on-site nursery of sorts, I enjoy peeking through the fence to see what they've got going on back there.

Fabulous still life with an over turned rusty cabinet, water pitcher and 4" plant pot...

And off in the distance I discovered a bit of a new plant obsession. Look how those large leaves change color from the top to the bottom of the plant. Any guesses? I inquired and was told Daphniphyllum macropodum. Instant plant lust for sure, even though some may refer to it as the Redneck Rhododendron...

The building next door has been boarded up for sometime.

But the interesting plantings continue down the street and around the corner.

I wonder what they'll do with this space someday?

These sad little opuntia are planted completely around the corner and ripe for vandalism. So easy to pick a pad and toss it.

Opuntia get no respect!

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

38 comments:

  1. Beautiful, crammed plantings there!

    Since when is picking an Opuntia pad easy? Besides, how else are they going to spread? :)

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    1. Clearly you were never a teenager. (there is a high school just around the corner, I suspect the opuntia vandalism was at their hands)

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  2. Who could be in a hurry when there is so much to look at - and ponder. I really appreciate all the plant names even though many of them would not work here in Massachuetts.

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    1. Exactly! And I didn't even explore the parking lot area.

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  3. Happy birthday to Lila! She looks huge in that picture. Must be a trick of perspective because I know she's a small dog.

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    1. Yes you're right, she does look larger than her little self. Perhaps she was all puffed up with birthday pride.

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  4. This post perfectly describes why I love Portland. Plants do get respect there. Where else are you going to find a miniature botanical garden outside a pub! Here it would be a few heavenly bamboo and, if you're lucky, a straggly crepe myrtle or two.

    Muehlenbeckia axillaris is very well-behaved in our climate because of our rainfall. I can see how it would go crazy in a place where the good stuff falls from the sky with any degree of regularity.

    And finally: Happy Birthday, Lila! 12 is nothing for a small dog :-).

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    1. Interesting (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) I do still really like the stuff and wish it were a little less vigorous here, perhaps I'll try it in a container. The McMenamins chain does a wonderful job of creating unique and cared for gardens and most all of their locations, not quite all the pubs in town are so graced.

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  5. Happy Birthday to Lila! And what a fun way to celebrate.

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    1. I wish I would have taken a photo of her sitting in the chair, face level with the table...so stinkin cute.

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  6. There are so many nice plantings in your area even at places where you'd least expect them. Portland looks wonderful, a plant lovers delight! Loving that bright yellow ginkgo and blue leaves combo too!

    Belated Happy Birthday Lila!!

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  7. "Happy Birthday Lila" from Mickey and Rosie …and why were we not invited

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  8. So many great plants there! And I totally understand the doggy birthday party - That's why I have "Puppy Picnic" every year over Labor Day. I love being able to take my Assistant Yvette with me to lunch. Grevillea australis may be too big for the spot I planted it in - oops!

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    1. I love the idea of the puppy picnic! Perhaps the grevillea should me moved, while its still young?

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  9. Lila looks very good for 12! I hope she enjoyed her birthday as much as you did.

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    1. It's amazing how much white fur she has now, once upon a time she was almost completely black! (we've only had her for 5 of her 12 years)

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  10. Lila looks like she was enjoying the celebration: Her sweet face almost seems to be smiling. I would too, if I had such indulgent parents. Do you think she enjoyed the Chapel tour as much as I did? Happy Belated Birthday, Lila!

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    1. I think she very much enjoyed the Chapel tour, the plants had all sorts of wonderful (to her) smells that had to be investigated.

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  11. Happy birthday Lila! Looks like you all enjoyed the party. McMenamins does the coolest things with both buildings and plants. Can't wait to see what happens with the Tacoma Elks building & grounds!

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    1. Indeed...however I would have thought they'd have been done with that project by now???

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  12. Though I'm not a pet-person, I get what you do for Lila, and it all makes sense (what a cool ritual, a smoked dog bone...wow!). Though, hopefully, your plant fever won't be too catching to her... "Cram-it" style of gardening...just like someone I know in Las Cruces! The amazing array of plants you find there, and always an Opuntia, makes me smile.

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    1. Ya, that bone smelled very good! Always an opunita...yes!

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  13. Max & Hildy's used to throw a big birthday party for the resident dogs. All dogs invited, doggie cake, doggie photographer, doggie psychic and contests with prizes...so no eye-rolling from this quarter. Happy Birthday Lila!
    I think "Lyonothamnus floribundus var. asplenifolius" would be lots of fun to say, if only I knew how. Gotta be careful, though. In many circles we would be scorned for showing off.

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    1. I never did make it to Max & Hildy's, they closed just shortly after we moved here.

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  14. Happy B'day, Lila! Ein sends best wishes and kisses. Amazing how our Channel Island ironwoods get around!

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    1. Indeed, there are quite a few of them up here in the northern territory.

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  15. Awww...I think it's sweet that you took Lila our for her big day :-)

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  16. Lila is now famous at my office...and yet another great McMenamins garden . Cheers Lila !

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    1. I keep hoping a modeling contract for her will help offset the plant purchases...

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  17. Her little face makes me smile. Happy birthday Lila! What a sweetie.

    I LOVE that gingko...and the mini pine cones!

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    1. Sweetie 90% of the time, rather annoying the other 10%...but obviously we still love her.

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  18. Exciting plants. I love the buttercup yellow of the ginkgo tree with a skirt of blue foliage. I think the red flowers are Zauschneria but I'm not sure which one.
    Choris

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    1. You noticed I didn't wager a guess on that one! I mainly loved the way they arched around the yucca.

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  19. Happy birthday to Lila.

    What an enlightened place when restaurants can have such interesting landscaping with nurseries right on the premises.

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    1. There are a couple more McMenamins near-ish by (they are a local chain) I think the nursery supplies them with plants and maintenance facilities too. We're lucky to have them for sure.

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