Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Visiting Cistus Nursery, before we were grounded

To recap from yesterday, back on March 18th I took a drive out to Joy Creek Nursery (photos here) and then to Cistus Nursery. While we were told to maintain a 6-ft distance between people and not congregate, we weren't yet "grounded at home" as one of my friend's kid's so succinctly put it.

Since I was the only shopper I could wander without fear of bumping into anyone. Even when I was watching the sky, not where I was going...

Mahonia gracilipes

Entering the nursery...

The plants almost looked like they were practicing their own version of social distancing.

Agave toumeyana var. bella

I was seriously tempted to buy this guy, Opuntia polyacantha var. utahensis 'Pioche'. I mean look at those spikes! Truth be told there was no way I was going to carry it around and I forgot to go back with a wagon and pick it up, maybe next time.

Magnolia laevifolia 'Largess', of which they had two sizes available. I'm not sure if these are two or five gallon...

But these are definitely one gallon...

Magnolia laevifolia for everyone!

Or perhaps Camellia japonica 'Scentsation' is more your style? The tag said the fragrance was sweet and slightly spicy. I couldn't pick it up.

There's been a lot of work going on along the north side of retail.

I haven't seen those trachycarpus for years.

The bamboo that remains is stunning.

On the other side of the retail area I remembered to check on one of my earliest Schefflera delavayi crushes. It's looking good.

And of course, more trachycarpus!

Sempervivum 'Mona Lisa'

Grevillea juniperina 'Low Red'

Moving into the Big Top...

Wow! These are fun.

Platycerium veitchii "one of the most interesting Platycerium, because it is a semi-desert species" (source)

There are lots of surprises at Cistus! Sanseveria too...

And mangaves, a lot of mangaves...

Mangave 'Sponge Paint' is a looker.

Agave schidigera 'Royal Flush'

And the perfect opportunity for one of my favorite Instagram hashtags: #fernsarethenewsucculents

Dyckia choristaminea. I had a pair of these last a couple of years planted in my garden. On the other hand I've had one in a container (protected over the winter) since 2011.

Agave felgeri

Agave filifera ssp. schidigera ‘White Stripe‘

Haworthia attenuata

Agave 'Cousin Itt'... okay not really, I made that up.

Back outside exploring the display garden. I've never been successful with beschorneria (the strappy green leaves at the base of the eucalyptus), so many people I know have been.

Wow! Kniphofia blooming in March!

Here's where we end this visit...but with a teaser for another post to come.

You see I also visited Sean and Preston at home (outside their home!) and explored the garden they're building at Rancho Cistus. Photos from the garden tour will be coming up in the next week or two.

In the mean time if you're hankering to make a Cistus Nursery online order they've updated their mail order list (here) and if you're in the Portland area they're available for order in advance and pick up. Visit their Facebook page for up to date info, here.

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Weather Diary, Mar 30: Hi 53, Low 44/ Precip .20

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Monday, March 30, 2020

Shopping while social distancing at Joy Creek Nursery...

Like many other states, Oregon is currently under a "stay-at-home" order issued by our governor at the request of the mayors of our most populous cities. That was not the case back on March 18th when I took a road trip out Highway 30 to visit Joy Creek and Cistus Nurseries, back then we were simply being asked to maintain a 6-ft distance from others...

Having visited previously on late winter/early spring weekdays I knew I would likely be the only person there, and I was right. The gorgeous weather was part of why I'd allowed myself the distraction, how nice to get out and wander a display garden while temporarily putting the world's worries behind me.

I never tire of photographing this small metal pot.

Or the tall arching bamboo...

I've attended and been involved in a few wonderful classes here. I was looking forward to this year's schedule, hopefully several will still be able to happen.

Check out those beefy stems on their Podophyllum pleianthum!

You may have noticed an "empty" hoop in the air above a clump of cut-back grass in the shot with the outdoor classroom. Here's one still corralling some dead stems. What a simple solution to floppy plants.

Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire', I believe.

While the stump itself is interesting...

The shelf fungus is crazy cool.

I bet this has been a popular spot with the local bird population.

There was a label sort of hung on one of this tree's branches, Manglietia insignis (aka Magnolia insignis), but that has a pink blush to the blooms.

These were definitely white.

But if it's a pink magnolia you're after, that's here too...

I love the moss and the spiral plant corral.

Of course I took a moss close up.

My friend the Dasylirion wheeleri, I have to visit it every time I come to Joy Creek.

That goes for the Agave neomexicana too, of course.

They're perfect!

Crazy sprinkler face, you see it too, yes?

Time to shop! Looks like it's also time to bring out the Ensete ventricosum 'maurelii' that have been overwintered elsewhere.

Indeed I had the whole place to myself! Well except my friends the owners/employees. It was wonderful to visit with them from across the tables. I should have taken a photo...

Here's your chance to own a good size Dasylirion wheeleri, I usually only see these available as tiny plants.

I wonder how many years this well-weathered sign has directed traffic?

Epimedium 'Frohnleiten'

Erythronium revolutum

The Saxifraga! I almost forgot they're part of why I was here.

This one is Saxifraga 'Cockscomb', I did not get one of them....although I should have.

But I did go a little crazy and got several others. Clockwise beginning in the upper left hand corner: Saxifraga x longifolia hybrid (2 of them), S. paniculata f. rosea, S. x geum 'Dentata' (2 of them), S. cotyledon 'Caterhamensis' and S. x macnabiana. Unfortunately those great colors won't last once the weather starts to warm (they'll turn to green), but that's okay.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual nursery stroll. If you've got a hankering to do some of your own shopping Joy Creek does mail order, and if you're local you can order online and do a will-call pick-up. See their Facebook page for details. Tomorrow I'll share my visit to Cistus Nursery!

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Weather Diary, Mar 29: Hi 59, Low 48/ Precip .18"

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.