A few weeks back, on one of our first sunny nice days, I was working in the front garden and noticed a car slowing down as it drove by. I thought it was a neighbor and so turned to wave, then realized I didn't know the occupants. That quickly changed as they stopped and we had a nice chat — about Agaves of course! Turns out they have a nice big Agave parryi in their hell strip...and I'd never spotted it! So sad...after all it is my goal to know of all the great Portland Agaves. Before long they were parking and touring the back garden, then before they left I was invited to tour their garden, address written down and a phone number given. The fact I hadn't been able to take them up on the offer had been weighing heavy on me, but I just hadn't had the time.
So imagine my surprise when stopped in traffic one day last week, I happened to look to my left, up the side street, and saw this...
I then looked up and saw the name of the street and knew exactly whose hellstrip I was looking at. I had to park and take a quick look!
Unfortunately that's all I had time for, a quick look. Plus since half my face was numb (I'd just had a molar crowned) it wasn't a great time for a garden visit.
I wonder what these cute little rosettes, with their stems of balls, are?
I recently discovered my Pulsatilla vulgaris was still alive, and I'm looking forward to seed-heads like this!
Well, maybe not quite this lovely.
We talked quite awhile the day they stopped by my garden, but I don't recall mention of a crevice garden.
A very impressive crevice garden!
I texted them later, to mention I'd driven by and apologize for not knocking on the door (numb face, no time) and found out this was all done by the gardener himself. Impressive no? I also made plans to be in touch again soon and get that tour...so no worries, there will be a lot more photos in the future.
This is just a teaser post. A teaser with Agaves!
And luxurious cushion mounds.
This is obviously a very well cared for garden.
More of the hellstrip...
And a final glance at that amazing Agave (no protection over winter)...
I'll be back!
Weather Diary, June 1: Hi 72, Low 59/ Precip .01"
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I love the idea of a crevice garden; I wish I had known more about it when I was still working on mine. It's awesome to have a chance meeting like this and discover a like-minded soul. The garden looks promising. Waiting for the post of the "official" tour.
ReplyDeletePeople are reworking their gardens all the time, can't you add a crevice garden?
DeleteTheir Agave is in fabulous shape after the hellish winter, amazing with no protection. I hope you get the full tour soon. My Pulsatillas are doing that puffy seedhead thing now too, I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe seedheads might even be better than the flowers...
DeleteWhat a lovely coincidence. That cushion mound is amazing I dream of managing to get one that good
ReplyDeleteThe only other one I've seen this good was at Gaz and Mark's garden.
DeleteAdd me to the list of folks holding my breath for Round 2 with these very cool gardens! I can't believe how gorgeous the agave is after the unnatural winter Portland had, it's picture perfect! The crevice garden is at home in that garden and I'm swooning over the cushion mound. I'm guessing the unexpected stop took a bit of pain away from your jaw for at least a few!
ReplyDeleteIt did, and then of course there was the gift from you waiting on my doorstep at home!
DeleteHow cool is that? Looking forward to seeing the rest of this garden!
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteThat is a gorgeous Agave parryi, but so close to the street! It looks vulnerable to a carelessly opened car door. Or maybe it just has a powerful aura that tells cars to move along...
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the powerful aura!
DeleteWorth going for a full visit just to find out what those rosettes with stems of balls are. The foliage is Aeonium-looking, but there are probably a thousand succulents with that same look. Very appealing!
ReplyDeleteOn reflection, I see that the Agave's well positioned to avoid car doors: someone would have to park blocking the driveway for that to happen. Should have figured that people who can grow alpines like that, and take an Agave through Portland's last winter unscathed, aren't likely to have placed the Agave without a good deal of thought.
This is also a short dead-end street, so they don't get the foot/car-door traffic that say my hellstrip does.
DeleteThat garden looks great, especially the superb Agave. The cushion is that Scleranthus biflorus? Love that plant--killed it three times.
ReplyDeleteMust try some crevasses on my slope. The undulating lines seen from the side are way cool.
I think it is, I've killed it once, currently working on my second (still alive) plant. And I hope you do add some crevice plantings to your garden!
DeleteDoesn't look green enough to me for Scleranthus. My money is on Dianthus simulans. Gorgeous specimen. Wish mine grew that well.
DeleteDefinitely looking forward to another visit and post from you on this garden. It's amazing and that Agave is gorgeous!
DeleteI love those cushion mounds! Looking forward to the next installment.
ReplyDeleteI must get something on the calendar.
DeleteNow that's a crevice garden! It looks as though it involved a lot of heavy lifting - and digging - but that's one way to ensure great drainage through a winter as wet as your last one. I love that you've made it a goal to befriend every Portland agave too.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me I need to do a drive by this garden and see how it's looking: http://www.thedangergarden.com/2011/10/i-am-not-in-desert-southwest.html
DeleteSounds like a much more pleasant interaction than someone asking what the "idea" behind your garden was. That crevice garden looks amazing! Looking forward to a more detailed look at this garden.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, the complete opposite in fact.
DeletePortland has the most impressive gardens (and gardeners) - this one is yet another example. Can't wait to see the back garden.
ReplyDeleteAnd so many different styles of gardens. That might be my favorite thing about gardening here.
DeleteNice taste of a tasty post to come.
ReplyDeleteLots to love in this garden. I'm especially drawn to the how the stone is worked into the borders and the seedheads of the P. vulgaris - kind of similar to our Geum triflorum.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your tour back, their front garden is tantalising!
ReplyDelete