On the Thursday before Hortlandia weekend—Hortlandia being the huge Hardy Plant Society of Oregon Spring Plant Sale—a group of friends and I have a long standing date. Last Thursday was the 9th year in a row we've gotten together and made a day of visiting nurseries in the area. This year's agenda was a visit to Dick's greenhouse (a private greenhouse belonging to a fellow who is selling off his collection, my first visit was documented here and here), Secret Garden Growers and Sebright Gardens.
I was concerned Dick's greenhouse might have been a bit on the bare side, after all he's been selling plants since early January.
Not the case, there were still many many plants.
Orchids, ferns, begonias...
And Bromeliads.
There's Dick, Jason and Ann...
Anna, Heather and Evan...
And here are two of my three bromeliad purchases, more photos to follow at the end of the post.
Next stop, Secret Garden Growers. We shopped the tables in the foreground and the greenhouses in the distance.
Heather was reunited with Gaia, a very sweet dog we all met on a previous visit, when she was just a puppy.
I considered taking home this Coniogramme japonica var. gracilis, but passed.
Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron'
Oh hey, it's Evan, modeling his t-shirt from the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Variegated Daphniphyllum in the middle there, not for sale.
Nice color/texture combo!
Oh! These are fun variations on the standard Billbergia nutans...
I swoon for some sexy Rodgersia foliage...
Another excellent color combo.
Bromeliad and agave...a pairing found not just in my garden, evidently.
Didn't catch the name of this fern, but she's a beauty.
Another Rodgersia, this one R. podophylla 'Bronze Form'.
Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire'
Zeus, I think we wore him out.
Gaia got tired of playing with us and decided to wait for the next customers who might show up.
On to Sebright!
Syneilesis
Mahonia 'Marvel'
Walking the display garden I was quite taken with Cardiocrinum giganteum (the giant Himalayan lily), at this stage of its growth.
Podophyllum delavayi, I believe.
There were so many ferns! A specialty of this nursery.
Gunnera and sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis.
What a great foliage contrast...
Trillium and more podophyllum.
And more Syneilesis...
Their Akebia vine was looking lovely.
I look at my Akebia longeracemosa 'Victor's Secret' and wonder when it's gonna get around to blooming.
Okay, finally, my haul! In the front, on the left, Billbergia nutans 'Variegata'. On the right, or actually just sort of mushed in with the variegated leaves, Billbergia nutans 'Blondie' both from Secret Garden Growers.
Abutilon megapotamicum 'Paisley', from Sebright.
Onoclea sensibilis, also from Sebright.
Pyrrosia polydactyla, from Secret Garden Growers.
From Dick's greenhouse this trio of bromeliads came home with me.
I'm not sure on the names, so we'll just have to appreciate their beauty.
This guy (maybe a hohenbergia) is mounted on a small piece of tree fern trunk.
And this tangle is mounted on a piece of cork. There are at least four bromeliads and two pieces of another plant, a philodendron if I remember correctly.
That's a lot of great plants! And there's more to share tomorrow, from the actual Hortlandia experience...
Weather Diary, April 22: Hi 67, Low 43/ Precip .01"
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Great choices! I've noticed Akebia blooms on Urban Soule's Instagram feed lately and been wondering if it might work in my Ruby Red Death Bed. Those flowers are a great color. Looks like you guys had a great time and you found some choice plants.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! You should definitely give an Akebia a try there.
DeleteYou live in a plant mecca! Your post provided the second view of an Akebia vine I've had this morning and now I'm regretting passing up the plant on my own recent plant shopping expedition. Your haul is impressive. I love the variegated Billbergia.
ReplyDeleteWe do love our nurseries and plant sales!
DeleteWhat a great idea to shop and party before the main event! So many yummy Podophyllums. I've planted three but only Spotty Dotty seems like it will survive and prosper. I have Onoclea sensibilis and it is a winner on all counts.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people come into town for the sale, so it's a great chance to spend a little extra time together.
DeleteGreat choices as usual. ONly got a few podophyllums in the garden due to limited space, but love them.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the limited space thing!
DeleteNo way to go wrong on a Planty Outing ! I love all the ferns you showed us-I may be able to squeeze in a couple more but no way I will ever find some of the great varieties you have up there. Study Weekend here I come !
ReplyDeletePerhaps you need to make a stop at Sebright on your way home (or to) Study Weekend?
DeleteThere are so many great nurseries and events in your area. Wish we had even a smidgeon of some in my area. The trilliums with the podophyllum is quite something. So many great plants. You must practice great restraint!
ReplyDeleteHaving a small garden is difficult when faced with all the riches of the season.
DeleteNice haul! You're going to become known as the bromeliad queen. Your agaves might get jealous.
ReplyDeleteYa, I'm trying to be careful so as not to change the balance. Luckily I think the agaves still WAY outnumber the bromeliads.
DeleteLooks like you all had a great time. I have to say, I'm full of envy.
ReplyDeleteYour plant choices, of course so wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
It seems we both had fun plant adventures with friends last weekend!
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