Tuesday, December 31, 2019

An amazing year draws to a close...

I’ve never been one for an end-of-year round up post where I look back and reminisce on the highlights of the year, or share a collection of my favorite photos. However on December 21st, while I was sitting in the warm 72 degree sun at The Huntington and thinking about how lucky I was to be there, well, it occurred to me just what an amazing year of garden travel 2019 was for me.

The new gardening year officially kicked off in February with The Northwest Flower and Garden Show, in Seattle.
"The Botanist Balcony" at the NWFGF, from Kim McCarthy of Urban Soule—and she'll be back in 2020!
 
In April I flew down to Sacramento, CA, where my friend Gerhard picked me up and then we drove on to the Ruth Bancroft Garden (a visit which I have yet to share many photos of).
 
The next morning we set off for Santa Barbara and the Bromeliad Summit. The summit included a day at Lotusland (which I'm still writing about) and visits to several outstanding private gardens including Aloes in Wonderland, St. Francis Ranch, the garden of John Bleck, as well as nursery visit to San Marcos Growers.
Hechtia lanata at Aloes in Wonderland
 
In May I visited the Hillside Desert Botanical Gardens in Yakima...
Echinocereus blooming in the Desert Hillside Botanical Gardens
 
And in June we (Andrew joined me) were off to Denver and the 2019 Garden Bloggers Fling. During the Fling I finally got to see the Denver Botanic Gardens (again...still writing about this place) and oh so many fabulous private gardens, like this one, and this one and of course this one (plus many more I have yet to cover).
Agave utahensis, at the Denver Botanic Gardens
 
Later in June the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon hosted a 3-day extravaganza of local garden touring and lectures called Study Weekend. This event included stops at old favorite gardens like Floramagoria, and new-to-me stops like this one and this one.
The garden of Erin and Brian Ray, a Study Weekend stop
 
July had me road tripping up to the Puget Sound area to take photos and do a few interviews for my book (more that in the future). Honestly I was on a high from that trip that lasted for weeks, and good thing because after that it was time to stop gallivanting around and log some serious hours sitting at my desk. Yes, by the time December rolled around I was oh so ready to get back on the road (or in the air). In addition to the day-long visit to the gardens of The Huntington I also (finally) saw Kris (Late to the Garden Party) Peterson's garden and Dustin Gimbel's garden (he of Second Nature Garden Design) as well as visit to Rainforst Flora and the Theodore Payne Foundation.
One of many stunning vignettes in Kris Peterson's garden
 
What will 2020 hold? Well it's gonna take a lot to beat 2019... but I can't wait to find out!

—   —   —

Weather Diary, Dec 30: Hi 48, Low 40/ Precip 0

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

24 comments:

  1. What a treat to visit so many beautiful gardens. Have enjoyed living vicariously through your images. The Ruth Bancroft, Huntington and Denver Botanic are all on my bucket list. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year to you! Hope to keep you entertained in the coming year.

      Delete
  2. Girl, you sure did get around this year. I am so jealous that you got to see Kris's garden. I am so happy to know that you are such a generous person that writes about your many escapades. I travel vicariously through your writings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really worried about my photos from Kris's garden because I had to use my phone (camera died). I've only looked at a few of them, but I think they'll be okay.

      Delete
  3. What a non-stop year of travel! That much would exhaust me. I hope you also took some time for self-care and didn't get too worn out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the most part travel energizes me. The Fling is one that requires a little (okay a lot) of downtime though, to recover. It's not just travel but nonstop socializing (as you know).

      Delete
  4. No idea how you managed to write a book amidst all those fun plant trips as well maintaining your garden and daily blog! Looking forward to seeing what the next year brings, especially Kim's NWFGF booth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for that comment it was definitely a challenge! I am also looking forward to Kim's booth. She almost had me talked into doing one too...maybe next year.

      Delete
  5. You and Gerhard stand out to me among those who live your plant passions to the fullest, Loree. I felt largely stalled by our home renovation project this past year but hope to jump back in head-first in the coming year. I look forward to seeing more of your 2019 travels in your always intriguing blog posts. Best wishes for a wonderful 2020!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that feeling of being stalled, thank goodness it always passes. I look forward to seeing what you get up to in your garden in 2020.

      Delete
  6. Good Lord, you had a fun and busy year traveling all over. I hope 2020 is just as exciting, full of interesting prickly plants, phenomenal places and plethora of posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope your 2020 is grand as well.

      Delete
  7. Wonderful year of garden touring, Loree. I've enjoyed being a sidelines spectator.
    Hope 2020 surpasses your expectations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got a few exciting things planned for 2020 and can't wait to share them!

      Delete
  8. It was an excellent garden-touring year for me too, even with my rain-aborted road trip to Socal -at least I had a do-over for that one . Hoping for more great gardens in 2020.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More great gardens in 2020! That's a slogan I can get behind.

      Delete
  9. I enjoyed all your posts along the way, Loree. Your perspective is always so refreshing. Happy travels in 2020!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great travel year you've had! All the best for 2020 and hope to see you in Madison.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karin! Unfortunately it looks like I might not make this year's Fling, I'll count on you all to document it for me.

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Indeed. I wonder what 2020 has in store...maybe a return from the Outlaw?

      Delete
  12. Your garden blog is one of the best out there! Thanks for all the hard work.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!