Friday, August 31, 2018

Strolling the Outlaw's garden...

The Saturday morning on which Alison, Peter and I set out for points north (the trip I'm calling our Kitsap adventure) we met up at Peter's garden. I was quite thrilled when he asked if we wanted to look around prior to piling into the car, I was afraid I was going to have to bend his arm. Yep that one...

Of course he's pointing at this flawless combination of Yucca gloriosa 'Bright Star' and Agave ovatifolia...in the front garden.
Seeing his Schefflera delavayi (below) reminds me of my first visit to this garden, back in 2012. We'd corresponded a lot by the time that visit rolled around, and he'd just begun writing his popular blog, The Outlaw Gardener. The words I wrote in that 2012 post still ring true today: "Peter is a true plantaholic, and one with great taste. Every random plant that I mention (and I like to think I’ve got a few obscure ones) he either has, or knows about and has considered purchasing." He stumps me on plants regularly, for example that yucca to the left of the Schefflera, I didn't recognize it's leaves and I asked what it was. Yucca rigida! Yep. I yucca I do not (yet) have...

Much of the "art" in Peter's garden is subtle...

But then there's also a lot in the not-so-subtle category, like this "fire-pit" filled with split wood, glass flames and big red Canna leaves. Not one to leave a possible laugh behind, he completes the picture with marshmallows ready to be roasted.

And there are plants EVERYWHERE. Cramscaping doesn't even begin to describe it, I kneel at the foot of the master...

In case you don't follow his blog I should also mention Peter is a glass artist (as well as a teacher, a choral director, gardener, blogger, part time nursery employee...) so that explains a lot of the custom glass-work you'll see throughout the garden.

The metal-tube piece came from a building in Tacoma, Peter told me the story, but I had left home at 6 am and hadn't yet consumed enough caffeine to remember it...

One of my all-time favorites in this garden...(the old man and the...)

Yikes, that's me!

He threatens to get rid of the bamboo, but hopefully that will never happen.

Tomato goddess

Looking back towards the house...

Oh my!

Proof aliens have taken over, at least here in this garden.

More wings! These hanging over the approach to the "danger gardenette"...

Which is so large now (and features so many gorgeous specimens) I think it needs to shed it's "ette"...

Oh look, over there...it's the greenhouse! (we'll visit in just a bit)...

Peter and I both bought that strange little stump-like bromeliad in the center clay pot. Mine started pushing out a bloom about a month after I got it home. No sign of a pup yet either.

Seeing that luscious pink-tinted Bromeliad made me determined to buy the next one I saw, which of course I did at our next stop, Valley Nursery.

Oh my, the bamboo!

Peter's been tucking bits and pieces into the trunk of this Trachycarpus. I look forward to the day my pair of T. wagnerianus are tall enough for this treatment (because my T. fortunei is already getting the vine treatment).

He also purchased a box of ball-moss online. For a moment I was confused when saw them, because I brought back a bunch of ball-moss from the Austin Fling, was Peter in Austin? Nah...

Blushing!

I've been appreciating the blue Hibiscus syriacus a lot lately, I didn't used to care for it.

The day was mostly overcast, which allowed for better photos, but every once and awhile I saw a bit of blue, this one to go with the Hibiscus.

Time to explore the greenhouse...

Want!

Here I think Peter was making a naughty remark about the potted plant he's holding.

If I ever think I've acquired too many Bromeliads, I'll just think of Peter's stash.

Okay, back out to admire the last bits of the garden...

Angelica stricta ‘Purpurea’

Another plant that I've warmed to, Persicaria 'painter's palette'. I got a small piece from Vanessa at our spring plant swap, and planted it out in June. That thing has dealt with our summer drought by not wilting even once, despite my forgetting to give it a drink.

It was almost time to leave, but not before we admired a new pot purchase...

Took in the view...

And appreciated the King's chair, where he has his morning coffee and survey's his leafy kingdom...

Weather Diary, Aug 30: Hi 75, Low 59/ Precip 0

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

38 comments:

  1. Looks more like plant hoarding than cramscaping. Seems like the application of a little "less is more" would help. The plant discovery goes both ways as I've learned about quite a few new plants from you! The Danger gardenette - You've created a monster. The metal tube thing was the radiator in the round stained glass room on the back of our house. It had long ago been severed from the furnace. Couldn't just throw it away. Me? A naughty remark? Nah, just sharing the facts... Echinopsis bridgesii forma mostruosa inermis. From Wikipedia: "Some people call this plant the 'Penis plant' or 'San Pedro penis', it is also sometimes described as 'The Pornographic Cactus.’ The German name for this cultivar is 'Frauenglück' (Women's pleasure.)" It's always a pleasure to visit with you, my friend.

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    1. Gosh, I sure got the origins of metal tube thing wrong! I'm sorry, I really was listening to you! Your garden is an inspiration Mister!

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  2. What a fun reminder of that morning stroll. The Old Man and the C is my favorite visual pun from Peter's garden too. How did I not notice the wings hanging over the entrance to the danger gardenette? Too busy looking at the plants! He does have an impressive collection of Bromeliads.

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    1. I could have sworn you did notice the second pair of wings, but then again there is so much to see...

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  3. I just read Peter's comment above. The guy is amazing in plant knowledge, plant combinations and just plain having the best last words!

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  4. Like yours, Peter's garden is extraordinary. I think you both could charge admission to your gardens and probably make a tidy living from the income - or, more probably, use the cash to buy more land and plants.

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    1. Hmmm, I like the way you think... and do hope you get to visit Peter's garden someday, fee or no fee.

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  5. An addition to Peter's resume should be "Drama Coach". So many dramatic displays. You did a good job of highlighting some of the best areas in his garden. The greenhouse is a drooler too. I am always amazed he can get anything else into it for winter preservation. ha... Another addition to resume "a great organizer".

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    1. If Peter ever needs to brush up his resume I suggest he contact you.

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  6. I think if Peter ever starts seriously considering removing that bamboo, we should all stage an intervention. I simply can't imagine his garden without it. Speaking of bamboo, I see he has that Pleioblastus viridistriatus I've been thinking about trying. I may have to drop a few (blatant) hints. Peter has such an amazing collection, including some very drool-worthy bromeliads!

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    1. Peter is one of the most genuinely generous human beings I know. I doubt you'll have to hint very hard.

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  7. That "took in the view" photo at the end is what I've been waiting for: something that gives me a sense of space. I know lots of the parts of Peter's garden, but have never been able to fit things together in my brain. That photo helps! (Also thanks for posting photos of the front garden. I didn't even know there was one until fairly recently.)

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    1. I think Peter needs to employ a drone from a "from the sky" post...

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  8. Loree, great post and photos! I love plant addicts gardens. Peter your garden is amazing. I love the variety. I think you are going to need to buy the lot next door. I imagine doing that : )

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    1. Oh that would be fabulous! The Outlaw annex...

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  9. His garden seems to go on and on, but I assume that it is a "regular" lot. Almost like a jungle. Thanks for sharing, it's always fun to see another person's take on a garden. Especially one we see regularly in his blog. It would be a shame if he got rid of that bamboo, it's beautiful.

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    1. I'm sure I've asked Peter the dimensions of his lot, but I can't remember. I'd guess it's about twice the size of mine, which is 47' x 111'.

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  10. Since Peter rarely gives photo tours of his gardens, I LOVE it when you do as we finally get to see the master at work. Always a pleasure!

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    1. Glad to provide a look at the master's creation.

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  11. All I can say is that .. it is a good thing no one can hear me as I scroll through this post .. I am so totally jealous of you gardeners on the west coast it is probably a huge SIN ? .. it also confirms, yet again my suspicions of how many jam packed UNUSUAL plants there are in the "King's" gardens let alone greenhouse ? .. if ever I could see this place in person I think I would have died and gone to heaven .. let alone speak to the master ? LOL
    Peter .. you seem to have a lot of .. hum ? .. balls ... in your garden ? LOL
    Joy
    The ardent admirer from, the Great White North .. wink wink nudge nudge ;-)

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  12. What a treat to see the OG's garden from your perspective!

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    1. Hopefully you'll get to see it in person someday.

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  13. It's fun to see your take on Peters garden. I love it all , and he is definitely deserving of a Kings chair.Wouldn't it be interesting to see a list of the plants in Peters garden ? War and Peace ? Atlas Shrugged ? The Manhattan phone directory (when there was such a thing) ??

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    1. Ha! Yes...gosh, I can't even begin to imagine how long that list would be...

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  14. Thanks so much for this tour of Peter's garden! This is a garden with personality, creativity, and exuberance. And humor! I love the old man and the C. Also that blue hibiscus.

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    1. The blue of the Hibiscus is almost unreal...

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  15. Wow! Trying to reconcile "much of the 'art' in Peter's garden is subtle" with the photo of that gazing-ball-headed mannequin and bowling ball edging and red-painted bamboo and canna firepit. I love it all! Hope to see it in person one day. It looks like a garden worth of long exploration.

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    1. Which is why I followed that statement with "But then there's also a lot in the not-so-subtle category..." I hope you do get to see it in person!

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  16. WOW! Thanks so much for this wonderful glimpse into Peter's fantastic garden, and a little info about who he is and that great photo of him. It's so nice to put a face with a fellow blogger.

    I love the term 'cramscaping'. Love that blue hibiscus too. I will need to visit this garden tour over again to capture all of it's delights.

    Have a nice holiday weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  17. Cramscaping. What a lovely word. It has a lovely ring to it and maybe one ups the plantaholic. I would certainly be impressed that he knew the names of all his plants as you do too. You guys seem to have the perfect climate for everything that grows. From tropical to desert. And of course I like that fact that he does a little repurposing of objects. Now how could I make that fit into my garden scheme, I hear going through his head. Very well indeed.

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    1. Or maybe something along the lines of "I'll buy it now and figure out what to do with it later..."

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  18. Great tour of Peter's garden. I have a sneaking suspicion that you even appreciate the "garden art" the way he does it.
    rickii

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    1. It's all part of the package, I can't imagine his garden without it, so yes..I do!

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