Friday, September 29, 2017

End of Month Favorites, my how you've gown...

For this September's End of Month Favorites I thought it would be fun to check out how the trio of succulent dish planters have filled in over the summer, since their days in the sun are sadly numbered. I ventured out to take photos one morning after an overnight rain, just as the sun was peeking out. The light was quite magical in person, but might not have been the best for photography. Oh well, it is what it is....(aka 'Que Sera, Sera')...

Then (posted on June 5)

And now...

This one is kind of crazy, how much it's grown.  Aeonium 'Kiwi', several cuttings of Echeveria setosa 'Arrow Shaped' and Mangave 'Bad Hair Day'...now...

And then...

Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' has relaxed and opened up, Opuntia erinacea 'Browse Cherry' has grown entirely new pads.

Another photo from last June, that's Mangave 'Catch a Wave', on the far left.

And another "now" view...

Taken together — all three have almost gotten so overgrown it's hard to see the dishes and to visually separate them from the surrounding foliage.

Back in June it was much easier...

The front dish now...

Sadly the Raoulia australis (silver tiny-leaved ground cover) wasn't happy in the dish planters, just not moist enough.

But the Aeoniums got along fine.

I really should go back and track which Mangave this is, the Agave on the left is an A. salmiana ferox.

Said Agave...

The third (and final) dish, now...

And then; Raoulia australis, Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkopf', Mangave 'Man of Steel' and Agave salmiana ferox.

Mangave 'Man of Steel' has definitely lived up to its front billing.

And really Agave salmiana ferox has done remarkably well considering its limited root run.

From above...

Again, where do the dish planters end and surrounding plants begin? Hard to tell.

Finally, a happy surprise on ground level. I thought the Acanthus sennii was a goner after last winter, but it's made a comeback!

And seems to be enjoying leaning on the Agave for support.

The long, hot, summer was a good one, in my garden. So, end of September, what's looking good in your garden?

Weather Diary, Sept 28: Hi 86 Low 54/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Visiting a Franciscan Monastery, a stop on the 2017 Garden Bloggers Fling

Our final stop on the first day of the 2017 Garden Bloggers Fling was at The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.

From our Fling materials..."The Franciscan Monastery is described as an oasis of peace and includes over 1,000 roses and numerous perennials and annuals as well as grottos, sculptures, and a chapel. Despite varied religious beliefs, the serene setting of the monastery reinforces the need for peace and common ground during difficult times."

My lack of religious leanings leaves me at a loss for the significance some must feel in places like this, but my love of architecture steps up to fill that void.

And of course I'm always on the look out for interesting plant sightings.

Opuntia!

And Yucca...

And so many arches...

Lots of Onoclea sensibilis.

And tile artwork...

The intricate stone detail on the columns was worth staring at...

And they were repeated over and over and over...

I would have loved to poke around inside the building for a bit, but that's probably reserved for the true believers.

As is the case at every stop on the Fling it was soon time to pack it up and get on the bus...

Weather Diary, Sept 27: Hi 86, Low 56/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Wednesday Vignette, you can't stop the Cactus

A scene from one of the "employees only" greenhouses at Cistus Nursery...

Weather Diary, Sept 26: Hi 80, Low 55/ Precip 0

Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Visiting Campiello Maurizio

One of the earliest local garden bloggers that I followed was Ann, aka the Amateur Bot-ANN-ist. Even though she was local, a fellow Portlander, I didn't cross paths with her until the first Garden Bloggers Fling I attended, in Seattle in 2011. I might have known she was going to be there, but I honestly don't remember. I do remember meeting her, face to face though, when Pam Penick introduced us the first morning as we were boarding the buses to head out for the day. Not long after that I was invited over to see her garden...

One of the initial things I noticed? She has the world's smallest hellstrip! Seriously.
It can't even be a foot wide...

Marrubium rotundifolium, you don't see that around here very often.

Ann, and her husband John, had a new fence built earlier this year, it's really changed the feel of the front garden.

Lots of new plants went in the ground before this weekend (Sept 9/10), Ann's first open garden for the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and her fellow garden bloggers.

Paul Bonine, of Xera plants, mentioned Ann had considered tossing these cement cylinder planters — oh the horror! They're wonderful...

So why Campiello Maurizio?  In Ann's words: "My garden is named "Campiello Maurizio" after my late cat Maurice. A "campiello" is the Italian name for a typical little Venetian square. You will find them throughout the city, and they have been meeting places for the residents for generations. My campiello was Maurice's domain and his favorite place to sit."

Here's a glimpse back into the private garden, but before we can poke around back there we have to complete the tour of the front garden.

Spikes!

More of those wonderful cement cylinders.

Love this combination.

The long walk back, on the opposite side of the house from what we earlier saw.

Lovely Rhododendron sinogrande.

Ann also has a sweet spot for pink flamingos.

Every garden needs a place to nap.

Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', I believe.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiraliter Falcata'

Ann recently tried her hand at kokedama, quite successfully too.

Perhaps Dahlia  'Cafe au Lait'?

This is — for me at least — is Ann's signature piece, the willow arbor in her back garden. Grown from tiny whips it's become a natural enclosure over the sitting area.

The trunks at the four corners have become rather substantial, gardening in the same location over time pays off!

Excellent use of black mondo grass.

The color scheme echoed in chairs nearby.

And the door to Ann's laboratory (aka the old garage)...

Ann must be rather disappointed I've made it this far into writing about her garden and not mentioned she's Italian, and proud of her heritage.

Looking back down the pathway we saw towards the beginning of this visit.

Ann's one of those lucky gardeners with a dedicated potting bench, which just may have been staged for the open garden visitors.

The final bit of garden, fairly recently reclaimed from chaos.

But now designed for relaxing.

And enjoying the plants! Thanks for opening your garden Ann, I'm sure you inspired your many visitors...

Weather Diary, Sept 25: Hi 69, Low 55/ Precip T

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.