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 Which have since moved into the greenhouse and been replaced by his ornamental cabbage and kale display.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

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