Friday, April 19, 2019

Aloes in Wonderland, wandering further afield

Here we are, back at Aloes in Wonderland. Off in the distance is the Pacific Ocean.

And everywhere you look are spiky plants...

Blooming Aloes...

And everything else that makes my heart beat faster, like agaves!

Oh, and a lot of cycads.

I had to pause every few feet to take in the view.

While also remembering to stop and admire the plants individually.

The fingers of this aloe were so solid and a little rough.

I suddenly had a strange urge to grab a badminton racket.

Lots of folks were going all giddy over the brachychiton.

While I preferred the agaves and the Aloe dichotoma (I think that's what they are?)

This guy was a monster, I think Gerhard identified it as Agave salmiana.

In retrospect I should have placed my iPhone there for scale, but you get the idea.

Huge!

I had to wonder if this cycad was planted here, or planted itself—so close to the tree!

Okay, almost back up at the house.

Just a few final photos to wrap up this amazing visit.

The markings on some Agave franzosinii are quite remarkable.

I took this photo as Gerhard I were shopping out of the back of a pick-up, as I mentioned here. And with that we end our visit to Aloes in Wonderland.

Weather Diary, April 17: Hi 75, Low 47/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

15 comments:

  1. jdubApril 19, 2019

    Oh, what a heavenly garden! So many lovely blue foliage plants! I am particularly taken by that "cycad-ish" blue foliage plant in image number 9. Have you grown anything like that in a pot? I wonder if it would survive the winter in an unheated garage in Portland.

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenApril 21, 2019

      I bought a tiny seedling years ago, it was okay for a couple of years, but then started a slow downward spiral. I don't think an unheated garage would be good, maybe inside the house for the winter?

      Delete
  2. Peter/OutlawApril 19, 2019

    OMG, it just keeps getting better and better. The garden, the views - truly amazing!

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  3. AlisonApril 19, 2019

    I really should try growing another Cycad. The one I had perished from neglect. Is the bluish color of Agave franzosinii the result of a powdery blue coating like an indumentum? The markings you photographed are leaf imprints, right?

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenApril 21, 2019

      Yes they are, and it is a powdery blue coating that wears off and causes the markings. Pretty cool!

      Delete
  4. Kris PetersonApril 19, 2019

    Amazing! A view and acreage in Santa Barbara County - what a dream.

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenApril 21, 2019

      Just wait until you see the location of the Saturday night party...

      Delete
  5. luv2gardenApril 19, 2019

    Such a great experience. Some of the hectias shown are quite something. The small fingered aloe is cute and looks like it spreads to form big clumps. Anyone have an id for it? Thanks for the great tour.

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenApril 21, 2019

      Gerhard knew the name...but I can't remember what he told me. I'll ask...

      Delete
  6. Eliza WatersApril 19, 2019

    I think Dr. Suess must have got inspiration from these plants. Quite a few Who Trees here!

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  7. ksApril 20, 2019

    Your thoughts concerning the origin of the cycad at the base of the tree had me pondering the concept of having cycads volunteer in ones garden.Not a likely event to ever happen here !

    ReplyDelete
  8. Spiky ObsessionApril 22, 2019

    \what an amazing place. your eyes must have had trouble deciding where to look.

    ReplyDelete

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