Friday, December 30, 2016

A favorite plant that needs a name...

This end of month favorite was gifted to me years ago by a friend. She identified it as Agave weberi and that's what I've always called it (for instance when I "faved" it in August of 2014). Here it is before our ice-fest earlier in December...

The two stock tanks on either side are empty because, in anticipation of the cold temps, I pulled the small (not terribly hardy) Agaves that usually spend winter there (they're toasty in the basement). The burlap you can see tucked around the base was an effort to add a layer of "mulch"...

So as I said, I've always thought of this as an Agave weberi...

But when I visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix last October I saw several plants that were labeled as A. weberi. This is not the same plant as mine!

Look ma, no teeth! (on the sides of the leaves)

Although I did eventually find these...

On this plant. Look at the lower left hand side, just above the signage.

I've also had two blog commenters question the name, when I referred to my plant as A. weberi. So that leave's me asking, what is it?

Correct identification is getting even more important to me, as we've got an impending cold snap (12F as a low, with high temps below freezing for days...YIKES!) and I'm trying to figure out if heroic measures are called for (A. weberi is said to be hardy to 10F). Although really, this bad boy is so big it's not going anywhere...

My what long terminal spikes you have!

The grey-green color certainly fits most A. weberi descriptions, whereas Agave americana is typically much bluer.

Any guesses? I'm all ears...oh and I'd love to hear about your favorite plants this month, even if they have names already!

Inspired by Amy at A Small Sunny Garden, I'm starting a new "weather diary" section at the bottom of each blog post. I've tried to track temperature highs and lows elsewhere but haven't managed to stick with it. Since this blog is the one thing I seem to be able to consistently maintain, I figure this may work...

Weather Diary, December 29: Hi 42F, Low 33F / Precip 0

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

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Christmas on the Oregon Coast...

Since this was a non-traveling Christmas for us (Southern California or Spokane, WA, is where we usually mark the holidays) we decided to spend the weekend at the beach. A winter trip to the Oregon coast is something we've been talking about doing since we moved here 12 years ago. It was about time!

I told everyone we were going to Rockaway beach, but I was wrong. Our cottage was actually a little south of there, at Twin Rocks. It was marvelous!

We arrived near dusk on Christmas Eve (after traveling through fog, rain, snow, sleet and sun...all in just 91 miles) and took a beach-walk before it got dark. I was mesmerized by the hundreds of these all around us on the beach...

Neither one of us had ever seen anything like them. The ones further up were dried out and flat, but as you got closer to the water they started to fill out...

Right at the water's edge they looked like this. We have no idea what they were...anyone know? **Update, turns out they're "colonial tunicate, species name Pyrosoma atlanticum" - see the comments section for more info from the Oregon Coast Aquarium folks **

Christmas morning the sky was blue and we couldn't wait to get out and explore...

It wouldn't be the beach without Pampas grass, at least in my experience.

These little ferns were unexpected however.

The traditional Christmas volcano!

Someone was feeling creative.

I thought the holly sprigs were a nice touch.

The ocean is always worth staring at, but having something off in the distance to focus on is a nice touch...

There were many more of the creatures we'd spotted the day before, although calling them "creatures" makes them sound like animal, we weren't so sure. They may be plant? (*update* Animal! = colonial tunicate, species name Pyrosoma atlanticum)

We saw thousands on that walk.

And just one of these "jelly" things.

Interesting no?

A more traditional beach sighting...

Those little white shells were like tiny, very tiny, geoducks.

Close-up.

If you're squeamish about dead things this is my warning to skip over the next couple of photos. Although I guess we've already been looking at them haven't we?

I'm not one of those people who has a fascination with dead animals, but this bird demanded to be photographed.

The dark feathers and that amazing beak.

This one was no longer recognizable as a bird, if not for the feathers.

But there were plants too! Equally photogenic.

And another human creation.

I've never seen an episode of 'Survivor' but for some reason this had me thinking of it.

We only spotted one of this more traditional human sand-castle construction.

Lila seemed to enjoy her time on the sunny (yet cool) beach. Andrew fashioned her appropriate headgear for the occasion...

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

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Wednesday Vignette, plants and patterns


Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Quick stop on the way to the ferry...

To those that have stopped here before, this sign calls out loud and clear...Jungle Fever Nursery!

Back in November, when I visited DIG on Vashon, I had a rough idea of which ferry I hoped to catch from Pt Defiance (Tacoma) to the island. It's a tough calculation when you're leaving home some 145 miles away. I also hoped to arrive a little early, so I could stop at Jungle Fever. Thankfully the stars aligned and I was able to do just that.

This nursery holds a special place in my heart. It's a plant lovers paradise, of the sort that may be a dying breed. I try to always buy something whenever I stop, sadly my schedule and the fact there was a family with lots of questions kept me from doing so this time.

However that family appeared to be buying things so it wasn't all bad...

Ya, not all bad...

I couldn't tell if there was some sort of hole in the table where this mass-o-sedum was planted, or if it was just plopped on the table. Either way it appeared pretty darn happy.

I tend to think planter and pedestal need to match. This combination proves otherwise.

Solanum atropurpureum (Malevolence) — I've not seen it dried like this...

And still with fruit!

I guess there's no need for soap at this outdoor sink.

This! I love everything about it.

Before I left I took a quick walk up the sidewalk to check out the owner, Jerry's, personal garden.

It did not disappoint. It never disappoints.

I think the bamboo had recently been thinned.

And I love the rebar "corral"...

At the corner...

*sigh*

How many intersections have a corner this beautiful?

I have no idea what this is, it has the leaves of a Datura but the downward facing flowers of a Brugmansia...

This! It's "just" a neighborhood hellstrip...

I was focused on the Blue Atlas Cedar that's being trained along the rebar...and completely missed the green roof over the front porch. There's a Yucca up there!

More B.A.C. on rebar...

Finally there are these...I remember watching an Agave bloom here (via a "before" — and then an "after" visit), years ago. I wonder if one of these might its offspring?

Such perfection.

Okay, must go catch that ferry!

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