Tuesday, May 26, 2015

My #plantgang

As with many things one discovers on the internet I can't quite remember how I stumbled upon the Urban Jungle Bloggers. The founders (Igor and Judith) say: "We are bloggers, we are friends and we love greens in interiors and around us. Our mutual passion for plants has resulted in our project called Urban Jungle Bloggers"...(UJB) is all about living with plants – in your home, in other interiors, in public spaces. We want to highlight the beauty and benefits of houseplants and other greeneries in urban spaces. Living with plants is not merely about styling and decorating. Houseplants have beneficial effects on our living environment and make our lives better, healthier and more beautiful. It is our mission here on Urban Jungle Bloggers to share this love for plants with other like-minded bloggers"

If you sign up to be an Urban Jungle Blogger you get a monthly newsletter with their selected topic (this month = #plantgang). You then create a blog post on that topic and link to them, they'll link to you and all that standard fun internet meme business. They also encourage you to get creative and add your own personal touch. Which I'm doing since I am not posting about houseplants but rather my patio plants. I had just finished "styling" (their word and it works - I like it better than "arranging") my containers for the beginning of patio season and remembered their topic for May is "Show your Plant Gang" - so I am!

I love this group...

This group feels a little awkward.

The huge Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream' looms large over everything else.

Once all those buds open though, well, it will be the star.

I still can't quite believe I scored that huge Agave victoriae-reginae last summer...

Agave lophantha 'Splendida' gets the funnel treatment this year.

Please ignore the empty pond tank. It's been growing ugly red algae and was undergoing a clean when I shot these photos.

A smaller group...

I have plans to dig out some of that green sedum to the left of the in-ground Agave bracteosa, build up the soil with gravel and rocks, and then plant more Agaves in the ground (more Agaves!)...

Which is why this group is pathetically bunched away from the wall, I'm giving myself room to work before I place them.

This group didn't photograph well, it's better in person!

And this one too. I need to do a little more styling before I can feel 100% about it. Buying something to go in the large orange container at the back will help.

Finally, the driveway veggie garden, sort of. The tank on the right is full of the Agaves (and other succulents) that will be going in the ground, the tank on the left is really pushing out sugar snap peas but soon I'll be ripping those out and planting tomatoes (tomatoes and basil = summer!).

Take a moment and check out the other #plantgang links on the Urban Jungle Blog...


All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

32 comments:

  1. I'm very impressed with your groupings Loree! And your plants look so healthy! Beautiful post. Even more so, I'm very impressed with your pottage. I find beautiful pots like you've got to be horribly expensive and unfortunately, just have a mishmash collection of whatever I stumble across at Marshall's or Value Village. Would love to upgrade but how to do that without taking out another mortgage?

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    1. I've been collecting them for years Paul, so that helps the expense not add up too fast. And I've gotten pretty good at finding bargains over the years. Also - I will be posting about it soon BUT you should know that on June 13th, a Saturday from 9-2 a group of us Portland area garden bloggers will be holding a sale of containers and such that we're ready to pass on. I've got quite a few I want to move - the prices may even be cheaper than Marshall's or Value Village! Hope you can make it, I'd love to meet you. (and thanks for the kind words about my plants and pots!)

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    2. p.s. the sale will be across the street from Garden Fever, in NE Portland.

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  2. You know we love your #plantgang Loree, a very inspiring bunch! Will definitely check them out :)

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  3. The reason you love the first grouping so much: it contains two bamboos. Just saying. :)

    In a couple more years when your huge collection of pots is able to circle the entire garden and every wall, will you still be able to call them "groupings"? (it will be one long chain, like the game "snake") ;)

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    1. Ha! (to the bamboo comment). And I'll have you know I'm actually thinning the containers down - not adding too. Less each year!

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  4. Sounds like a fun group! I have always love the way you style your pots. Looks like things are settling into place for summer 2015 : )

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    1. They are! It's finally feeling like we've got the largest room in our house back.

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  5. You gang is great. You alway smanage to style your pots so they look natural, not like here where it looks like I have too many plants and the pots are everywhere.

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    1. Surely some (maybe my husband?) would say I also have too many plants and the pots are everywhere.

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  6. Looking good as always, my plant stylist friend! So nice to see everyone outside again - summer can't be far away now.

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  7. Hooray, more funnels! You know I love your eye for containers, but my favorite containment of yours still has to be that low concrete wall. Looks good with everything! What a fun meme, thanks for the link.

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    1. Really, the wall? Huh, I had no idea. It does work out nicely as a place to put the little guys. I hope you get a chance to check out the other "gangs" I think you'll really enjoy them.

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  8. What Doug said. My pots are a random mish-mash of colors and styles. Not sure it'll ever change, but I'd much prefer the cohesive look of yours.

    Nice "styling," although I have to admit that *I* hate that word, LOL.

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    1. Is it a nails on the chalk board sort of hate like mine for the word "whimsical?"

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  9. I also love your plant gang :). So many interesting and healthy plants! they all have something special and match perfectly with the pretty pots.

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I do have to admit to culling a few that weren't looking their best.

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  10. What an amazing collection you have there, Loree! Great styling and I see soo many of my favorites (agaves, Opuntia, aloë vera.... <3) Makes a wonderful plant gang! Welcome to our Urban Jungle Bloggers family!

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  11. Everything looks so fresh and crisp, with such a distinctive point of view. I have managed to get one side of Delusional Drive completely weeded. Now I am seeing suspicious small green dots appearing where I started. Must not get discouraged, I keep telling myself.

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    1. Ugh, it takes a lot of energy to garden on the scale that you do Rickii, I am always in awe.

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  12. I can see the appeal, Loree. I've noticed that meme participants, at least in some cases, come to influence and build in one another's contributions, urging one another on to try new things, refine their styles, etc.

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  13. Your gang is the coolest on the block ;) so many perfect plants. That A. victoriae-reginae is crazy.

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    1. Ha, thanks Amy. (and I know, totally crazy and it was only $45!)

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  14. AnonymousMay 27, 2015

    Styling is stylin', to be sure! I'm very into the green ribbed pots, as well as the orange...but the spikiness is what makes it.

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    1. Spiky is the reason! Glad you approve.

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  15. I love your container groupings, even the ones that you aren't quite happy with are better than mine. The first one is particularly nice though, with the variegated and variously fuzzy/scaly foliage contrasting with the dark containers while the stems of the pseudopanax echo them. I need to start transitioning to more nice containers. Most of mine are plain green or black plastic (easier to move, less breakable, and not a problem if they do break). I don't plan on moving very far again, so I think I can start ditching the plastic nursery pots.

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  16. love the funnel idea & so many pots that all look fab!

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