Sitting on the patio one afternoon, diligently working away on the laptop (thank god for a strong WiFi signal) I found myself glancing about the garden. That in itself isn't odd, after all that's the entire point of working on the patio, right? But I'd had a thought that wouldn't go away. I suddenly knew I needed some Tillandsia usneoides, aka Spanish moss...and lots of it. Last year I'd scored some bargain wads (that's really what it was, a wad held together with a rubber band) at the pet store, this year I'd not been so lucky. That's when I had a flashback to this post from The Outlaw Gardener, when he bought some on eBay. What were the chances that same eBay seller was still pulling Spanish moss from his trees? Quite good it seems, since I was able to purchase a stuffed box and have it shipped from Florida for a relative song (which of course makes me wonder just where it came from...) but anyway...it arrived and I was thrilled. Then I thought..."what am I going to do with this stuff?"...
The box sat in the garage (opened, misted) for a couple of weeks. I wasn't inspired. Then one morning I grabbed it and started draping it around under the shade pavilion.
Old bits from last year were refreshed.
And the majority was draped in, on and around the tall Tetrapanax. After all if you're gonna have a proper jungle...
There on the right is another new(ish) acquisition, my Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' (sold as Camouflage from Monrovia). A Gunnera had graced that spot always and forever, but as I mentioned awhile back it's just gotten too shady there, thus the Fatsia.
I do love it.
And the Tillandsia usneoides.
It's silly, but what the heck, sometimes we need a little silliness.
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I agree, the garden does need a little silliness. Next thing you know you'll be hanging strings of beads in the trees. Peter shared some of his Spanish moss with me, but mine is pretty much all draped inside the greenhouse. I planted one of those Fatsia 'Camouflage' this year too. It replaced a similarly variegated Fatshedera. I love that it's so much more robust and not floppy.
ReplyDeleteHighly unlikely (the beads). Of course if they were shiny silver beads...
DeleteI think my love of the variegated Fatshedera predisposed me to love this Fatsia, the colors! Sorry to hear yours was not robust. Did you move it or just do away with it?
I sold the Fatshedera at the Bloggers Plant Sale.
DeleteThe silliness may actually be the going out to do a daily misting. Or maybe you won't need to do that anymore. I think your temperatures may have moderated. Your garden is incredible considering the hot summer you have had. You are the master of seeking out unusual plants. I think I had a moment of silliness when I picked some ball moss off the trees and intertwined it with my pinecone hanging. It did not like it.
ReplyDeleteGood point Jenny, although honestly I've just been giving it a good spray with the hose when I water other things. I'm sorry your ball moss/pine cone mash-up didn't go well!
DeleteOh definitely, we love silly :)) and instant makeover too without having to do too much work. Suddenly your garden has taken a more tropical and humid look to it.
ReplyDeleteFunny you use the "H" word, our heat this summer has been mostly on the dry side, which is nice. The last few days though have felt really sticky-icky.
DeleteYou definitely don't do thinks half-heartedly :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's silly at all. I quite like it in fact, seeing how I have a thing for Spanish moss. (It reminds me of oak-studded plantations in the ante-bellum South.)
Thank you Gerhard!
DeleteI wouldn't say it's silly, although I was thinking that it would be fun if this stuff could be packaged under pressure so you can just shoot it about the garden, silly string style! :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be great fun!
DeleteLooks great. Shade pavillion looks great. Plants look great. You are consistent. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy Spanish Moss is hanging in a Japanese Maple. Got the idea from a garden-buddy who has a Hollywood Juniper full.
Thanks Hoov, and I bet your Japanese Maple looks fab!
DeleteIt does create a very different feel in the garden. I've always loved the slightly spooky pictures of the trees dripping in it. So good to see you having fun with it.
ReplyDeleteSlightly spooky...that's so true!
DeleteHmm...silliness: is that your substitute for the dreaded "whimsical"? I've been on the lookout for 'Camouflage' after seeing it in the Darcy Daniels designed garden on the ANLD tour. I think Alison's Fatshedra made it to my place via the Bloggers' Bazaar. I'm going to see if it will climb around in a tree peony. And no, the search for 'Camouflage is ongoing.
ReplyDeleteI thought in order to qualify as "whimsical" there had to be at least two of the following: brightly colored plastic, moving parts, a phrase or saying, something shiny glued in place, broken tile or glass. Thus the term silliness instead.
DeleteRe: the Fatsia...if price isn't an issue ($59 I believe) I saw a couple of beautiful specimens at Cornell Farms.
Unfortunately price is always an issue...but thanks for the tip.
DeleteI love that drippy quality of Spanish Moss, as though the trees are melting! I didn't know what it was until we visited the Southern States last year, and saw it in the wild. Looks good draped around your garden - what can't be purchased on Ebay !!
ReplyDeleteIndeed (eBay) even cars!
DeleteI bow to your silliness. Looks fabulous, Dahling.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you!
DeleteAhhh, you've got to be able to have fun with your garden. Wish I could buy a box full like that! I think I've replaced my clump a couple of times, just gets too dry too quickly (and then crispy) in summer.
ReplyDeleteYa I don't suppose the "Free Shipping" offer is good from Florida to Australia....
DeleteI love Spanish moss! I think it looks great draped around like that. If I was better at handling heat and humidity, I might very well live in the south with big live oaks covered in Spanish moss. The only thing that has stopped me from getting some myself is that it doesn't winter over in the house well. Now I have a greenhouse...
ReplyDeleteI've been successful with it in the house Evan, treating it like I do my other Tillandsia - give them a nice long soak in the sink once a week. You should try it! Oh, and then again there is the greenhouse.
DeleteIt lends a southern gothic air to your garden - perfect for your abnormally hot summer weather.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, the weather made me do it!
DeleteA mint julep away from actually being in the sultry south! It looks really good, especially in your tetrapanax. May have to steal that idea!
ReplyDeleteSteal away, things will have gone full circle then!
DeleteI don't know if I'd call it silly. More like genius. It really works, especially draped on the Tetrapanax. Don't you love it when inspiration comes a knockin'?
ReplyDelete