Friday, February 2, 2018

There's always an Agave, if you look hard enough...

I almost called this post "I see Agaves" — you know like Cole in The Sixth Sense. But instead I'm referring to my quote about there always being an Agave. Sometimes you don't even have to look hard!

Day one in Paris and Andrew and I are bound for le Jardin des Plantes. I spot a tiny triangular garden along the Seine, in front of the English language bookstore Shakespeare and Company. Well what do you know! I've been in Paris for mere hours and I've already spotted an Agave (or two). I was not expecting that.

What do you suppose it is? A. americana? A version of?

It's obviously been there awhile and looks quite happy.

Day two and we're heading to the the Musée de l'Homme (located in the Palais de Chaillot), the palm trees caught my eye — there were palms (Trachycarpus) all over Paris. But wait, what's that....

Agaves! The planting area looks a little forgotten, and those Agaves look like maybe they're pups from a plant that bloomed and died? But still, two days in Paris and two Agave sightings. Will my streak continue?

Day three was spent indoors at the Maison et Objet show. Do fake Agaves count?

If so my streak is alive!

Not a bad fake, if you're into such things.

Day four and I was out and about all over town, including a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens. No Agaves though, not a single one. I decided these wicked metal security shapes outside the Universite de Paris (aka the Sorbonne) would count....

Aren't they fabulously spiky? A nice abstract Agave...

Days five thru seven yielded nothing, but on our last day walking the city....look what I spotted in a shop window...

Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'... thanks Paris!

A little off subject, but if you like to listen to gardening podcasts and want to hear me talk about things near and dear to my gardening heart (Lila, Sammy, Clifford, Andrew and blogging — not necessarily in that order) give a listen to this week's Cultivating Place podcast, here.

Weather Diary, Feb 1: Hi 51, Low 41/ Precip .10"

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden (www.thedangergarden.com). Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. "There's Always an Agave" would be a great byline for a blog!

    I think the agaves in front of Shakespeare and Company are A. americana.

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    1. Somebody start that blog! (thanks for the ID confirmation)

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  2. Only you would find Agaves in Paris. Your eye and brain are totally trained to discover them no matter your location.

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    1. I thought WA DC was going to be a challenge but I found them everywhere!

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  3. LOVE the metal security shapes outside the Sorbonne!

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  4. Those security spikes are scarier than any Agave I've ever seen! How cool and interesting that Agaves like A. americana seem to grow in Paris. That last A. desmettiana is very pretty. I love that you are posting now about your trip and not holding onto all these photos until next year. Please continue, especially with the Luxembourg Gardens.

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    1. I hadn't even thought about my usual slow schedule with posting, and how quickly I'm getting these posts up. Luxembourg Gardens, check! (not much to see there in January, except for the amazing Medici Fountain)

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  5. I just finished the podcast. Such a treat to hear your voice again, and such measured, thoughtful responses. A great installment in the History of the Danger Garden. Interviewer and interviewee both did a great job!

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    1. Thank you Denise, your kind words mean a lot!

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  6. Exciting to find agaves in Paris! Can't wait to listen to your podcast.

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    1. It was! They were like a big spiky welcome mat.

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  7. I think you're wired for such sightings!

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  8. Fantastic presence on the podcast...so glad you gave us the link. Those wicked security shapes would certainly discourage kids, dogs and annoying people when even the spiky plants fail to do the job.

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    1. Thanks Ricki, I appreciate the feedback.

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  9. Well, Parisians are known for their exquisite taste!

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    1. P.S. I listened to your Podcast this morning. You are an excellent and very natural speaker and I was suitably impressed. You conjure visuals with words, which is a real talent. Your intense connection to your garden (and of course, Andrew and Lila) is evident throughout. Well done!!!

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    2. Thanks so much Kris! It's a foreign experience that's for sure, I'm glad some passion came through.

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  10. You’ve done so well spotting those agaves so early on your trip! You definitely have an acute sense for them :)

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