Friday, June 10, 2016

The garden of Storc and Comeau

It's always a good sign when a happy, healthy, Schefflera is the first thing to great you when visiting a new-to-me open garden. It's a not so secret handshake that lets me know a fellow plant lover lives here.

This garden sits atop a very steep slope. The owners (Storc and Comeau) have been busy terracing and creating planting areas and paths. They are not afraid of hard work!

Lyonothamnus floribundus var. asplenifolius (Catalina ironwood)

Terracing

Happy fern! (in other words I can't remember which one it is).

Adiantum aleuticum

Argyrocytisus battandieri (Pineapple Broom)

I've got a tiny one of these languishing away behind some other plants.

Someday I hope it looks a little like this, only smaller of course, so it fits. To the left of it is Elaeagnus 'Quicksilver', which I had never properly appreciated until this garden. They grow it so well.

At it loves them back with plenty of volunteers to move about the garden as desired.

Leucadendron NOID, from Cistus of course.

In a container and overwintered under-cover.

*sigh*...Rosa sericea ssp. omeiensis f. pteracantha (aka the Wingthorn Rose). I haven't seen one of these in a garden since I got rid of mine a couple of years ago. I LOVED that plant, but after annual coppicing (to get those bright red thorns) it finally rebelled and just sort of gave up on life. Seeing this one I was convinced I need another.

Damn, everything looks so good in this garden! Pulsatilla vulgaris seed heads.

And space...they've got the space to really let things grow and look their best.

Another Leucadendron that I didn't get the name of.

Gooseberries! The house I grew up in had several large gooseberry shrubs in the landscape (not planted by my parents, inherited). My grandma made gooseberry pies with the fruit. I must admit I've never thought of them after moving away from there in 1989 and these were a surprise to see. It wasn't until looking them up just now that I realized they're a Ribes, duh.

Buddleja globosa

As you might guess I love a garden that squeezes in more plants that you'd think could fit in a space. Note the small blooming Fremontodendron.

Another plant that brings back memories, this of the Clematis my grandma grew next to her front door. She was not a lady with a green thumb, but her Clematis was a beauty. I think I need a deep purple Clematis in my garden.

If you're a HPSO member this garden is open again on July 31st and August 28th, check it out! Lise and Andrew – thank you for opening your garden!

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

14 comments:

  1. I didn't realise till now that you got rid of your wingthorn rose. You need to reinstate it asap :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, yes I do. And I wasn't vocal about it, because it made me sad.

      Delete
  2. What Mark and Gaz said! Wingthorn Rose II: This Time It's Forever. Also a fan of exuberant (cramscaped) gardens and this one has some of our favorite plants! Love it and the cheerful yellow color of the house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have a Wingthorn yes? How often so you cut it back?

      Delete
  3. I love terracing :) And your shots make me think I had better have more respect for Eleagnus - what a wonderful light-catcher!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a view in the image where you talk about space. My grandma grew that purple Clematis on an old chicken coop. i have never seen one as magnificent. You know it was something when you noticed it as a kid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember thinking that it was so luxurious - the Clematis. I need to get one asap.

      Delete
  5. Very nice! So many great things to learn here, from plant combinations to garden structure to mulching materials. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, and very inviting hosts too! It's the full package.

      Delete
  6. *Sigh* I've heard it said that "everything grows in California" but I really think that reputation belongs to the PNW (even if you have to protect some of the plants from periodic winter freezes).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all relative...depending on what you want to grow.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful garden, nice photos, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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!