Friday, March 28, 2014

Elk Rock Garden

I’ve only visited this garden once before, in February 2013 when the hamamelis were in full bloom. However since they're known for their magnolia collection I figured this was a great time to return, for a second look...

They did not disappoint. Of course on a beautiful day such as this everything looks good!

I really must return again to see this wisteria in bloom.

I heard of many a loropetalum dying last winter. Their L. chinese 'Pipa's Red' seems to be fine...

Can anyone tell me what this plant is (maybe a lily? maybe a particularly leafy Paris polyphylla, nah...). I love the foliage...

Such a huge expanse of lawn, a pity they don't allow picnicking.

It's still such an usual sight I couldn't stop staring at the cloudless blue sky.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiralis'

It was quite the beauty.

I have it in my head this is a Rhododendron sinogrande, perhaps we were told that on my last visit (it was a guided tour).

Stewartia pseudocamellia, I wish you could feel this bark, so smooth...

These didn't have name signs but maybe they're Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Wissel's Saguaro'?

We briefly considered adding an Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle tree) to the garden (in the former Privet-lands), while I was thrilled at the idea we ultimately decided it just wasn't a good fit. I'll continue to enjoy them in other gardens.

Cute little ground-cover like plant, or weed? Anyone know?

Another stately monster, Taiwania cryptomerioides or Coffin Tree. Odd form...

But fabulously spiky little needles.

With colorful tips (cones?)

Finally the hamamelis which were in bloom last time, and bare this time. Maybe I'll return to see their fall color?

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

33 comments:

  1. Looks like an interesting garden. I considered a monkey puzzle tree too, for my front bed, but decided it would get too big. I think your weedy-looking ground cover is a native plant, Tellima grandiflora/Fringecups. It does spread vigorously via lots and lots of seeds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've made me smile, I think of your garden as HUGE and yet you thought the monkey puzzle was too big, we just said no because we thought the canopy was too open. Looks like you might have called it on the ground cover, thank you!

      Delete
    2. They do look a lot like Heuchera, in fact, one common name is false alum root. I have this in my garden, and I pull those first-year basal rosettes all the time, from spots where I don't want them to grow.

      Delete
  2. This is Bishops Close , right Loree ? I've been a few times but I think always in summer. Looks like spring is in the air up your way !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is, I should have included that part of the name. I noticed all of their materials are now just going with the Elk Rock Garden name so that's what I used too...

      Delete
  3. Those little weed/groundcover are heuchera, I think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought so too at first but something told me they weren't....

      Delete
  4. Wow, what a beautiful looking day! So bright and crisp and the sun seems to be jumping out from the photos through the screen! The garden reminds me of a Cornish garden on a bright and sunny day.

    The plant with fab foliage could be a Lilium martagon or hansonii. They look great like that as they get bigger and prepare to flower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually had the window down on my drive there it was such a beautiful day! Thanks for the possible i.d.

      Delete
  5. What is that strange color in the sky? It's dark, cloudy, and rainy here and these pictures gave me hope that the big yellow sphere might return someday. Perhaps we've angered the gods? Then again, maybe it's just March in Tacoma. Both of your tours of this place have been wonderful. In our next lives, let's make a point of having lots of acrage and a garden staff o.k?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was just Monday the sky was blue but jeeze, 4 days of intense rain sure can beat that memory away fast.

      Delete
  6. For a second I thought this was a leftover post from your UK trip -- doesn't seem like a US garden! (although I can't really speak from experience)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see why you would think that, instead it's just the estate of a rich family given over to the church.

      Delete
  7. The small, heuchera-like plants look like tellima to me as well. Is it possible that those lily-like plants are fritillaria imperialis? It seems a little early for lilies to be so large, even for your climate, but I don't live there...Gorgeous post. Thanks for blogging. Always look forward to your posts. cheers, Tim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my (very limited) experience Fritillaria imperialis isn't quite so lush, and even the extremely tortured (and not planted by me) lilies here in my garden are close to that stage (although not as big of a clump...due to the torture). Glad you enjoy the posts!

      Delete
  8. A beautiful - and clearly well-tended - garden. In a garden as big as this, I can appreciate the big expanse of green lawn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The day I was there I saw 3 people working in the garden. Two of them were volunteers and 1 staff, and you're right it is very well maintained! As for the lawn it does seem quite appropriate, I just want to see people picnicking on it!

      Delete
  9. I'll second Mark and Gaz on the lily ID. And Alison on the Tellima. What a beautiful garden! That Stewartia pseudocamellia is a real gem! They almost always have beautiful bark, but that one is really spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's perfectly placed next to the path as well (the stewartia) so that it's practically saying "feel me"...

      Delete
  10. I only visited this garden once, long ago. It looks like it is being better maintained and well worth another look (or three).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is a gem ricki, just avoid the congestion on Rte 43 near the Sellwood Bridge construction. It's enough to take away the peaceful feeling of your visit.

      Delete
  11. I know it as Bishop's Close too, a bit of a drive for me but really fun to walk around in. I wish I got out enough to go there more. It's great to have the hiking trails, river views, and lots of unusual plants to look at too. I'm glad to see it through your photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still haven't made the trek out to "the point" for the reportedly great view. Gotta save something for next time.

      Delete
  12. Wow, what a beautiful garden. You really have amazing gardens over there!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your sun and rain-washed blue sky actually cheer me up! Sun isn't the same with dust. The vibrance of the flowering trees, plus that Stewartia bark...yowza. Back to some cactus...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Almost an inch and a half of rain yesterday. I would love some dust...

      Delete
  14. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful experience with all the varied, lush evergreen on display. Have always been fascinated by stewartia and now even more engaged by its beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a stunning tree, wish you could see it in person.

      Delete
  15. I don't know the plant tellima. When I saw the photo, I was reminded of these in my Michigan garden: http://davisla.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/plant-of-the-week-tiarella-wherryi/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I can see why, those leaves are extremely similar!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!