Monday, October 26, 2015

A return to the Outlaw's garden...

I first visited my friend Peter's garden back in June of 2012, just a week after he launched his extremely popular blog The Outlaw Gardener. I've made another couple of quick stops over the last few years but on Sunday, October 11th, I had the opportunity to tour again, and (of course) I took pictures!

Ficus afghanistanica, but I'm not sure which one.

Clerodendrum trichotomum 'Carnival'

The foliage!

The "turquoise berries framed by crimson bracts!" (quoting from the Cistus Nursery description) It's really quite wonderful.

Garrya elliptica, looking spotless.

Those fabulous plants are only a small (extremely tiny) fraction of what's growing in his two hellstrip gardens (he gardens on a corner lot), but now we're into the garden proper. Why not begin with an Agave? (A. ovatifolia)

Or four! (A. parryi on the steps)

Peter, and his partner Tom, have a gorgeous Victorian home, which I couldn't resist photographing with it's crisp new paint job.

Peter had recently harvested a nice big load of fallen Monkey Puzzle tree branches (from a neighbor's tree). They're remarkably pliable when green.

I remember this Schefflera delavayi from my first visit, I took many more photos that time - probably because I stopped on my way up to Seattle rather than on my way home, as I did this time (one's enthusiasm can be slightly dampened when facing hours behind the wheel heading home).

How gorgeous is this silver foliage? Peter may make a Cyclamen lover out of me yet.

Not just any bamboo for the Outlaw, nope...he's got the big stuff.

And more Cyclamen...

Peter had begun the fall migration of tender and xeric plants to the greenhouse when I visited, and he claims to be done now. I bet this beauty isn't here anymore.

Fallen leaves that would look messy in my garden instead look artistic in his (and I'm not referring to the cement ones!).

And how many people could work this fellow into their garden and have him look so perfectly at home?

I think it was the day before my visit that Peter had been to the Glass Eye Studio's Fall Sidewalk Sale, I wonder if that colorful assortment of glass orbs came from the sale?

There is definitely some cram-scaping going on here. He does it well don't you think?

From glass balls, to bowling balls...

And of course more Agaves...

Lots of Agaves! Which have since moved into the greenhouse and been replaced by his ornamental cabbage and kale display.

I wonder if this Echium joined the greenhouse gang? Probably. Although he claims to have run out of room.

So about that greenhouse, let's take a look inside...

Aeonium tabuliforme

Are you beginning to think Peter grows all the cool plants? If so you're right. If he's not currently growing it, then he has grown it in the past.

So many great accessories too, this screen is a keeper, it kind of reminds me of making stained glass lifesaver cookies when I was a kid.

Agave americana var. striata

I can't remember the name of this one, but I want to call it Agave 'banana boat'...and notice the mirror panels in the background. Genius - they bounce light around and make the space feel even larger.

Ah Joe...

Back outside I'm preparing to take my leave...

When I notice this beauty, Saxifraga fortunei 'Pink Geisha'...sigh. Another plant for my lust list.

Here's the excuse I had for my stop. Peter decided he wanted to put a few Agaves up for adoption and wondered if I was interested. You're right, he didn't have to ask twice.

And he threw in this adorable variegated Agave parryi pup, wowza...

As well as a Calothamnus villosus

And Grevillea 'Ned Kelly'...seriously. The irony is that he - with a garage-sized greenhouse - had no space for these treasures, yet I somehow think that I do. One of us is obviously not in touch with reality. (Thank you Peter, for the time in your garden and the plants!)

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

35 comments:

  1. Wow, it looks great! Thanks for the look at Peter's garden, he doesn't post that often on his own garden. More agaves and foliage plants, of course you'll find room.

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    1. You're so welcome, while I enjoy his out and about posts it's Peter's garden that I'm always most excited to see on his blog.

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  2. Thanks for the peek into Peter's garden. All the cool plants and you know what I was looking at?--the David statue. Too funny.

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    1. Ha, it is pretty awesome isn't it? I was hoping more than a few people would spot it.

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  3. My head is spinning! It hasn't even been six months since I visited Peter, but I swear there are plants in his garden that weren't there then. Or maybe I was just too distracted. Everything's looking great. And that green house! Wow, it's more like a Willy Wonka-sized candy store for plant lovers.

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    1. Probably a bit of both? Of course he's been buying things, but then when there is so much all around to see you're bound to miss a few things.

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  4. Half a kingdom for that greenhouse!

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  5. I always enjoy a tour of Peter's garden. He has such an irreverent, artistic style and an amazing plant collection. The new house colors look great too!

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    1. Maybe someday the Fling will return to the PNW and you'll get to visit in person?

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    2. Would love that! Or maybe I'll return on my own...

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  6. Such an interesting garden--it looks so different depending on the visitor. Awesome greenhouse!

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    1. Great observation, what each person is attracted to is bound to change what they share. Of course the seasons have a lot to say too.

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  7. Hey pal, thanks for visiting and even more, thanks for not showing all of the hideousness of my garden! Glad the plants have found a good home! You should have taken Saxifraga fortunei 'Pink Geisha' with you! Got it at Windcliff.

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    1. Hideousness? Where exactly was the hideousness hiding? Cause I didn't see that part. I'm sure you'll find a great place to plant that Saxifraga, and it will give me something to hunt for...thank you for the terrific load of plants!

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  8. It is truly a joy to see a garden through the eyes of a visitor (or multiple visitors, in the case of flings and garden tours). Lucky you to visit that amazing greenhouse! I've been coveting it for many months now. And what an accomplishment that the fallen leaves look like artwork in Peter's garden.

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  9. Thanks for the excellent tour! This garden has such a great selection of plants and a good sense of humor to boot. And I love the concept of "cramscaping".

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    1. Is it a concept you practice? (I can't really tell by the photos I've seen of your garden)

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  10. I'm surprised with each Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-up post Peter publishes with just how many plants he has in his garden. And that greenhouse! I swear he could open it up to paying visitors as a botanic garden.

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  11. A fresh look at Peter's garden...an the mystique deepens.

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  12. Love seeing Peter's garden through other people's eyes (he never posts wide shots himself!)

    What's the green-colored Agave you got from him? It might be the same as one I've been trying to ID.

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    1. The one in the blurry photo 4th from the bottom? I believe it's a variegated Agave filifera, there was no label on the pot so that's the best I've been able to do.

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  13. What a fantastic collection of plants and interesting objects. That bamboo is mammoth! The idea of being able to plant out agaves is also pretty special!

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    1. I was just thinking about that the other day, how lucky I am (and Peter is) to be able to get a few Agaves in the ground.

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  14. Great tour of a terrific garden. That greenhouse...! As Gerhard said, a candy store for plant lovers. So much to love. Agave 'banana boat' is awesome, and the little variegated Agave parryi, ay caramba. What a cool way to start my day off!

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    1. The deep yellow of 'banana boat' is a little mesmerizing isn't it? I remember feeling the same about Agave salmiana 'Medio Picta' (spotted at Cactus Jungle: http://www.thedangergarden.com/2014/11/curls-and-color.html)

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  15. The new paint looks fantastic. I'd bring that screen indoors to shelter a little reading nook for winter, just to see it aglow from a lamp. Peter has such a great eye. Nice haul, Loree!

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  16. It's so cool seeing Peter's garden in a different way to how he might photograph it. So many cool agaves - and the pitcher plant! Wow. You went away with some great plants too.

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  17. Peter´s garden is amazing! so many interesting and unusual plants! As Amy said, I like to see gardens from the point of view of friends because they take different pictures from those the garden owner usually makes. The greenhouse is great!

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  18. I've followed Peter's blog for some time now, but you have given me/us a new perspective on his garden, and I am glad to see some of the house too.

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