This is not a residential garden, but rather one lovingly tended in front of a restaurant.
And the plant combinations are head-scratchingly "eclectic"...
Hydrangea...
And Agave...(which I wish I'd seen while it was still flowering).
Joined by a very happy Opuntia.
And rounded out with a blue conifer (I am not going to hazard a guess since I know zilch about conifers)...
And ferns. What look to be (correct me please) sword ferns in full blazing sun, planted in gravel, next to a sidewalk and a 4-lane street (hot, hot, hot).
Oy vey!
So taking the focus back to what caught my eye in the first place, which Agave does this look to be? All I can think of is 'Blue Glow' but I doubt that would have lived through our last winter. ‘Burnt Burgundy’ came to mind too, but that's not really any hardier...(help!?)...
No bulbils, just seeds.
Weather Diary, Aug 30: Hi 80, Low 60/ Precip 0
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I wonder if they water that fern daily or it is really surviving on its on in that location. A couple of my best ferns get more sun than is recommended and they grow more slowly and flop more the more shade they have.
ReplyDeleteThey would have to be watering it, almost daily. We haven't gotten but less than a tenth of an inch of rain since mid June.
DeleteWell that's...interesting. Someone is a little scattered in their choices, but at least they like plants! I've seen sword ferns grow in pretty exposed places, but yes, that is probably going to be too much for them. The conifer looks like some sort of dwarf Colorado blue spruce, but I couldn't hazard a guess at a specific cultivar.
ReplyDeleteYes, at least there are plants out there rather than just gravel!
DeleteWow, eclectic is right. It just goes to show that agaves *do* combine with just about anything!
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask *you* what that agave was. I have no clue. It doesn't look like either 'Blue Glow' or 'Burnt Burgundy'. I'm stumped.
Not that I'm arguing for either of them (I'm not) but ... I based my (possible) 'Blue Glow' or 'Burnt Burgundy' labels on how they grow here, in my garden, in containers. Neither looking quite as lovely as they do in the ground in your part of the world....if that makes sense.
DeleteWell, isn't that different. Eclectic to be sure. Nice to see plants instead of just gravel and it'll be interesting to see if the ferns survive.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to make a point of glancing over there when visiting PDXN!
DeleteThe Hydangeas seem an odd choice for such a hot spot too, but they sure do look big and lush, they must be getting lots of water. This brought a smile this morning, thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Alison!
DeleteYowza! Well...whatever works. Looks like they were at least having fun with their garden. Those sword ferns certainly need water in that locale to stay so green, although they are tough.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the most important thing...fun!
DeleteHow can ferns survive there even a day when they die in a shady irrigated area in my garden? I can't ID the agave either.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great question Kris.
DeleteEclectic is certainly a good description. It's sort of like the walked around a garden center and bought whatever caught their eye with no attention to cultural requirements. Even the hardscapes are a little different.
ReplyDeleteYes! That's a perfect description. And since a very large garden center is just up the street...
DeleteSometimes we just have to smile and be happy folks love their plants! It sure beats other possibilities!!! I do love the passion that created this little garden.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteCRAZY!!!! On a happy note, hydrangea and conifer people are starting to plant agave and opuntia! SCORE!
ReplyDeleteHa! That's an excellent way to look at it.
DeleteThere is a randomness to this that has almost a daredevil quality to it. It's like someone taped a bunch of plant pictures to the wall, put on a blindfold, and threw darts, vowing to plant whatever species he hit. Then he downed a shot of absinthe.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to plant an Agave with my Hydrangeas.
ReplyDeleteMy volunteer sword ferns are in full sun, but their roots are constantly splashed with aerated water. They are crazy-green, a green we rarely have here.
We're so used to seeing gardens curated by "plant people" that something like this comes as a bit of a shock. I salute their exuberance and everything seems to be healthy and well-tended. Let's hear it for self-expression!
ReplyDelete