Friday, May 1, 2020

Xera Plants open for business! And the danger garden pop-up will be happening...

Thankfully, for us plant lovers, many nurseries are still open and selling plants during these bizarre times. Of course that doesn't mean business as usual—no casually browsing for that new "must have" as you walk up and down the aisles. But via mail-order, curbside pickup, or shopping by appointment it is possible to get your fix.

Xera Plants in Portland is publishing their weekly availability online (here), so you can shop at home, on the sofa, in your pajamas (if that's the way you roll), and then email them your order and arrange for curbside pickup Thur - Sat.

Of course you can't actually go in there and shop...

But since you've already seen the list of what's available you don't need to!

These Beschorneria septentrionalis were causing quiet the stir the Saturday I stopped by and snapped these photos.

Of course even though you can't go in and browse, if you see something you want the Xera folks are happy to facilitate the sale, as long as it's not already on hold for someone else.

Tetrapanax!

Astelia in the foreground, I do love astelia.

And a blurry Greg. This man is WORKING! I have so much respect for how hard our nursery men and women are working to make it all happen.

My spiky friends, joined by some volunteer verbascum. Verbasum don't need no stinking potting soil, we'll grow in the cracks of a wooden table thank you very much!

I wonder what's over there on the shade table...

That Hebe ochracea 'James Stirling' (in the container) is looking might fetching.

Scanning back across the nursery. It really is so odd to see it empty of people, in May! (okay April when I took these photos)

I love this shot...

But I love the blurry version even better.

Lobelia tupa!

So about the pop-up at Xera, which I've been calling danger garden upcycle and plant. It was going to be so much fun! A chance for me to share with Xera shoppers, and danger garden fans, some one-of-a-kind upcycled planted planters I've created. I'd started putting things together in early March, before we really understood where we were headed. Then everything changed.

Well, I am thrilled to say that a much smaller version of "upcycle and plant" will be happening at Xera, as scheduled on May 30th. Greg and Paul (co-owners of Xera) have been so wonderful and are encouraging me to go forward with the pop-up in a modified way, taking a cue from how they're doing business. Here are a sneak peek photos of what I'll be selling...

There will be seven items on offer, and because of social distancing I will be arranging purchase in advance. The May 30th date is when they'll be available for pick-up at Xera. If something hasn't sold before then I'll have it there with me, in case someone has a spur of the moment need. But the plan is to sell them all online, via social media, in advance of that date.

On Monday May 18th I'll post here, on the blog, with multiple photos of each item, details, and prices. I'll be arranging payment through Venmo, or asking people to get in touch if they have another method in mind. I'll also post on my Instagram and Facebook pages. Please DO NOT contact Xera about these items, they won't be handling the sale, they're simply providing the location for display of unsold items and pick-up.

I'm excited to be sharing these creations with everyone, and honestly I won't be heart broken if they don't sell and I get to keep them! I'll admit I'm a little sad too, as I was really looking forward to the "event" atmosphere at Xera and getting to chat with folks in person. Ah well, that will happen at another time!

Check back on the 18th for more info and the chance to make one of these yours!

—   —   —

Weather Diary, Apr 30: Hi 66, Low 48/ Precip .01

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

22 comments:

  1. Glad you are able to at least do a smaller pop-up. Hope it goes well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad your pop-up is still happening in some form! I know how you feel. Ann and my houseplant talk and sale at Joy Creek is still somewhat in limbo, though likely postponed. I'm glad I was behind on propagation anyway, but I still have more houseplant starts than I want to deal with. Not sure what I'm going to do with them yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes I find myself getting upset with all the changes, like I was really looking forward to attending you and Ann's event at JC, and then I realize how ridiculous that is.

      Delete
  3. Is the protocol Xera following mandated by the State of Oregon? Here in California, you can still shop normally in nursersies as long as you keep your distance to other people and wear a mask (where required).

    Your popup is such a great idea. Of course it would have been more fun in person, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Can't wait to see what the 7 items are. I'm sure you'll sell every single one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, each nursery is coming up with a system that works for them. There are a few nurseries that are allowing folks to come in and shop. Portland Nursery is and I drove by the other day and it was a little too busy for my comfort level.

      Thanks for the positive thoughts on the pop-up, I hope you're right!

      Delete
  4. I'm glad you were able to come to a compromise arrangement, Loree. I look forward to seeing what you put together even though I can't participate directly. My local garden center (part of an employee-owned chain) reopened today for in-store shopping, which may be the most exciting thing that's happened in my world in the past month (well, except to Pipig finishing chemo yesterday). I was so busy shopping I took only a few photos on my phone but may share some on my blog if they look at all decent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is such good news about Pipig! I am thrilled for you.

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Thanks, me too. Oh so hard not to keep it.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 01, 2020

    This little sneak peek has me salivating (not a pretty sight)
    rickii

    ReplyDelete
  7. You've created some very cool plant art, Loree. I expect that they will sell out fast.
    Do you find the inability to browse makes you want it more? Just looking through the fence in the photos makes me want to break in, ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Eliza, I've been able to do some plant shopping this spring, so oddly I'm not feeling too needy.

      Delete
  8. Echoing the wishes for a successful sale. Our garden club down here has had to postpone and then modify the way it's holding their annual plant sale - tho afaik we have not sold a single plant as of yet :(

    ReplyDelete
  9. wahoo, such good news! I'll be shopping vicariously as you post your treasures. I checked Xera's listing and would definitely put in a plant order too, including Bupleurum falcataum. The Penstemon kunthii I picked up from them last spring is nice and bushy, not too huge, and just about too bloom, as is Cypella herbertii. Portland is lucky to have you both!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, thanks Denise. I wish you were here!

      Delete
  10. Beautiful nursery. I hope your pop up is a great success. Now, off to shop for plants...

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is exciting news indeed! I love ALL your planters - nice work!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's sad to see a nursery through a chain-link fence. At Swanson's in Seattle one can shop by appointment... I'm thrilled to see your creations being offered, and totally get it if it's hard to bid them farewell.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to live in that blurry shot. Coffee at the table every morning . . .

    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!