It was a dry afternoon, after a rainy morning, and everything looked fresh and smelled wonderful.
In fact I must admit (as I did in the title) that I felt a bit of spring fever stiring. It's a dangerous feeling to indulge this time of year (with several weeks of winter left), but it's always exciting when it hits.
This photo is a reminder I need to prune my Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Harmony’ hard, really get in there and expose those branches. I didn't do it last year and as a result it's a green blob right now. I want sexy, like this...
It was tempting to go into The Big Top first but instead I like to walk back up the drive and enter at the "front" of the nursery. Lila likes this route too because there's lots to smell.
Rejuvenating the Bamboo...
See, is it any wonder I felt a bit of spring fever?
Especially when I turned around after taking the above photo and BAM! Sunshine moment.
Well hello there beautiful Mahonia...
And Mr. A Ovatifolia.
I'm always happy to spot the tassels of a Garrya.
There was a hummingbird making good use of the Mahonia flowers. She didn't even seem to care about Lila, but I didn't manage a good photo.
Time to shop!
So deflated! (Opuntia polyacantha 'Crystal Tide')
Woodwardia unigemmata
Blechnum chilense
Perfectly dreamy Astelia nivicola 'Red Gem'.
This felt like a summery scene...
Bamboo invaders!
Finally inside The Big Top, lots to love in here.
Aloe Safari Sunrise, just starting to open it's flowers.
Mangave-ness.
There was a whole group of Opuntia that had been rooted by laying the pad on the soil, rather than sticking the end in the soil.
What did I buy? Nothing. I know! What was I thinking? There was a nice Bocconia frutescens I meant to buy (since I think I killed mine by letting it stay out in the cold). But I went back to the office to talk with Sean and forgot to come back up here and purchase it.
Oh well, there's always next time...
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Oh yes, you must expose Arctostaphylos' sexy bark, and show before and after pictures. Opuntia polyacantha 'Crystal Tide'? as in "low tide" I suppose... I've never seen this weeping type before.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not weeping chavliness, Opuntia have release the water stored in their pads as a defense mechanism against freezing.they should spring back up when the temperature warms.
DeleteEvery time you show photos of Cistus, you make me itch for a trip to Portland. I always go in through the Big Top, I should try your favorite route next time, for a different experience.
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life, “they” say...
DeleteI can feel the mildness, so warm (comparatively), so soothing. A greenhouse in winter is such a nice space, regardless of the temperatures outside.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that Opuntia can reinflate and pick themselves up after their winter "relaxation". Those are extremely relaxed!
Extremely! Yes, it still amazes me too, even though I’ve seen it happen in my own garden many times.
DeleteOh, good! That Chusquea is regrowing. I'm pretty sure it was essentially killed to the ground in the nightmare of last winter. Thanks for sharing your winter nursery visit. I haven't been there for a few months and need to rectify that. Too bad I can't go today, as it's beautiful and sunny outside at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI should have remembered that, about the bamboo! Maybe when you come down for the HPSO program you can stop by Cistus?
DeleteIsn't this warm weather a delight? Now, if it will only stick around and glide nicely into spring... Ah, Cistus. What a splendid place to spend a mild winter day. (any day for that matter.)
ReplyDeleteThere’s will be gliding, I know it!
DeleteLila must be a great companion. I can see why this trip induced a bit of spring fever. One of these days I'll make it out to Portland, and late winter might be a good time to make the trip. I like to get out of the Midwest in February and early March. Winter drags on too long. You've shown that Cistus is a must-see destination. :)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is a must see! I late spring would be much better than late winter. So much is still sleeping here during the winter.
DeleteImagine what that place is going to look like once he lives there and is not trying to garden in two locations. But hard to believe you left empty handed!
ReplyDeleteDistraction. Only because of distraction...
DeleteThe Opuntia aren't dead? Is didn't know they could lay down like that and survive to stand another day.
ReplyDeleteNot dead! It’s a coping mechanism, for cold weather.
DeleteIt looks like you were the only one there!
ReplyDelete