Of course the landscape fabric is what first caught my eye, it stood out like beacon. White, like ice, or snow, in a block of green lawns. Then my eye saw spikes, I pulled over.
I think this sad creature is a Dyckia 'Naked Lady', which should be hardy to 20F, a temperature that we've thankfully not reached this winter (not even close). Of course winter wet may be the culprit.
Agave parrasana 'Meat Claw', I believe.
I wonder if they plan to extend the plantings to the far corner? Maybe they hit hold on the project for the winter months? I also wonder about the slate pieces...
The title of the post, "this feels familiar..." refers to both the planting out of new plants in a wide open/empty front yard (something I did in 2006 and again in 2011) and the fact they appear to be keeping (at least for now) the old foundation shrubs like Pieris and Camellia (also a choice I debated). Thankfully I avoided the landscape cloth trap.
On the other side of the sidewalk...
That Manzanita looks to have a few huge leaves, I wonder which one it is?
Agave ovatifolia, perhaps 'Vanzie'
Yucca rostrata, I believe...
And turning to the hellstrip...I wonder if there is landscape cloth under the gravel, I didn't see any of the usual tell-tail bits exposed. I also wonder if they plan to use the same gravel on the rest of the project?
I did notice a Cistus tag stuck in the ground next to the Dasylirion.
Poor Agave! I wonder if this is the straight A. americana 'Variegata', or one of the forms (like 'Opal') that is thought to be a little hardier? Although, as I noted earlier, any issues thus far this season are more of a winter-wet problem than cold tolerance.
Agave lophantha
Another Yucca, perhaps Y. aloifolia?
And a fig, which I noticed they planted at the north end of the strip, where it won't grow to shadow the Agaves and Yucca...smart!
Finally, King Kong, poor guy, he looks a little tired.
There's a history of people attaching tiny horses to the antique horse rings throughout the city of Portland (more info), but this is the first gorilla I've seen.
I'll definitely be back to check on this one in the spring, after-all I used the phrase "I wonder" six times in this post. I've got a lot of questions that need to be answered!
Weather Diary, Jan 17: Hi 54, Low 40/ Precip .01"
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Once I read your 2011 post I realized what the feeling of deja vu was about. It is always amazing how quickly plants fill the empty spaces in the garden. Before long it seems overgrown, at least that is what happened in my garden. You'd definitely need to check on this garden periodically. By the way, what happened to your foundation plants? I don't remember seeing them in more recent posts.
ReplyDeleteI slowly got rid of my foundation plants. The Camellia was the first to go, then the huge Rhododendron and the Pieris. I kept them until the other plants started to get some size, I couldn't leave the house completely naked!
DeleteIt will be interesting to see what happens next. The parking strip looks good and I'm impressed by the plant restraint there. The gorilla is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of restraint here! I see them as people who like cool plants, but aren't necessarily committed gardeners.
DeleteThe gorilla made me laugh, that's something I would do. The landscape fabric, however, really pisses me off. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.
ReplyDeletePisses you off? That's a string reaction! And yes, I can see you with a gorilla at the curb.
DeleteThe Manzanita may be 'Dr. Hurd.' Cistus is currently offering plants roughly that size and the leaves are quite large. Blooms should be white.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the possible ID, and linking to your blog!
DeleteOh ! Wonderful ! I hope they get the gravel or crushed rock down and around them soon . ...and maybe a bit of protection until they get settled in . It is all looking very classy indeed ! Love it !
ReplyDeleteI need to be sure to do regular drive-bys!
DeleteAn exciting work in progress... keep us posted. Loved the gorilla, someone there has a sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteThe second best curbside animal I've seen was a bright and glittery "my little pony" attached to a horse ring. Almost makes me wish we had a ring so I could have some fun!
DeleteLandscape cloth? We used it under gravel paths but I don’t like to see it used in a planting bed like that. Though they get credit for apparently having a plan.
ReplyDeleteLandscape cloth is evil...but not everyone has had experience with it to know that.
DeleteIs any landscape fabric truly permeable? At least it isn't a layer of heavy plastic, which is what I found under 3 inches of gravel in one of the areas of the garden I inherited 8 years ago.
ReplyDeletePlastic! What were they thinking?
DeleteI wonder how long it will take for them to regret the landscape fabric.
ReplyDeleteI wonder too (obviously). As Kathy says though, if they aren't going to be planting other things then maybe they won't?
Deletethey will probably regret the landscape fabric, but if they plan to cover the whole thing in gravel and never plant anything else I guess I can see it.Poor Gorilla- tis beauty killed the beast.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stand the poor gorilla up, give him back some dignity. But also didn't figure it would last long.
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