Monday, July 27, 2020

Enjoying my birthDAY...

Last Monday was my birthday. Andrew took the day off and since far-flung travel wasn't an option (COVID concerns) we set out on Highway 30 to hit Cistus, Means, and Joy Creek Nurseries (what I will always think of as the "trifecta" thanks to the Outlaw). It all felt very safe thanks to being outdoors and masked...

Eryngium some-something, out front of Cistus Nursery, I think maybe Eryngium pandanifolium var. lasseauxii

And the desert island bed at Rancho Cistus, I did an in-depth photo-post on this in April, it's looking even better now.

Cactus swallowed by a fern! You don't see that every day.




Quercus tarahumara in Sean's private garden. WOW... 

That view! The fire bowl is from Pot, Inc.

Oregon? Why yes, it is.

I didn't get a chance to ask Sean what species this agave is, I love the uneven variegation.

The day was sunny and hot, just the way I like it! The temp topped out at 93F, and yes, that was plenty of heat, but then we also went into the agave greenhouse and things got even warmer. I can't complain though, being hot is always better than being cold.

The next stop, Means Nursery, where cactus is in. 

I had to wonder what exactly they were saying. Is "cactus in" in a general sense? Like green is the new black? Or is cactus in, like "in-stock"...get them while they're hot? Naturally I looked for cactus and I found none. They did have A LOT of mangaves though.

On to Joy Creek Nursery, where they had a birthday candle in the garden just for me! Dasylirion wheeleri in bloom...



Pretty fabulous.

Of course I visited my Agave neomexicana friends.

They were looking wonderful.

Yep...a hydrangea. I'm not usually a huge fan, but this color combination took me back to the ginormous hydrangeas that bloomed in front of the windows of my first apartment in Seattle. I loved those plants. 

A small part of the Joy Creek sales area. Note the hoses, it was a hot day!

Love this tiny vase creation.

Joy Creek does shade well.

So that was the nursery portion of the day. Normally we would have gone out to dinner, but even though some restaurants are open for dining we just didn't want to take the chance, and called in an order for takeout to McMenamins Kennedy School. They've been doing take out for weeks, but the garden was closed while the facility was, they're all open again and so while Andrew picked up food, I strolled the garden...and discovered my second birthday candle of the day!

Another Dasylirion wheeleri in bloom...

The gravel garden is looking fantastic.


And there's a new addition, an Agave 'Sharkskin'....


I've always assumed this is a baby Agave 'Mateo', it's doing well, as have mine.

Some wide-shots...


This arctostaphylos and mangave combo is my last shot from Kennedy School.

And now it's time to share the birthday plant haul...not bad eh?

Sean was very generous, Agave ferdinandi-regis with no markings (going in a container).

Agave parrasana 'Meat Claw' (already in the ground)

I regretted not buying this Agave schidigera 'Royal Flush' the last time I was at Cistus, I didn't make the same mistake twice.

Ditto for this agave filifera ssp. schidigera 'White Stripe'

This is the offspring of a Beschorneria decosteriana I've admired for years in the Cistus driveway plantings, now I have one of my own to grow.

Sean labels this one Agave 'Streaker'... with a name like that it has to go front and center in my garden, the front garden (already in the ground).

Lastly a gift from Tamara and Joy Creek, Arenaria alfacarensis...

I crushed hard on the Arenaria 'Wallowa Mountains' I saw in a garden on the Denver Fling itinerary last June (here), I'm homing I can be successful with this one in my garden.

In case you're wondering, it was a very good birthDAY!

—   —   —

Weather Diary, July 26: Hi 100, Low 61/ Precip 0 

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

25 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Loree. I hear it will be 100° in Portland today, a belated present from mother nature. That Arenaria is very sweet: will you create a little crevice garden for it? Agave schidigera 'Royal Flush' is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had two 100's in a row...not back down to the 80's and 90's. I'm still trying to decide where the arenaria will go...

      Delete
  2. Looks like the perfect birthday. I think I am growing the fern that's eating the Cactus. Got it from PDN and they said sun and rock garden, so that's where mine is. Am hoping it covers some ground like the one pictured.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fingers crossed your fern will become a well behaved thug.

      Delete
  3. Happy birthday Loree!

    It looks like you had a great day and received some lovely presents.

    I have become quite taken with Agave ferdinandi-regis this year and I am on the look out for one :)

    The new growth on the Quercus is delightful! I had my eyes opened to the different kinds of Quercus there are when visiting RHS Rosemoor with my mum last summer. The were growing quite a few different varieties there :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are so many cool oaks! I hope you find your Agave ferdinandi-regis.

      Delete
  4. What an excellent way to spend your birthDAY! And great photos.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy belated birthday! Sounds like a perfect day. I'm with you, I'll do hot weather over cold any day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy belated birthday, Loree - done up in style! Sounds like a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was. I'm missing family and friends I haven't been able to see since this craziness started, but otherwise, life is good.

      Delete
  7. A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Your nursery expedition makes me want to get on the road as well - my local garden center can only offer so much gratification - but, with the virus spreading like wildfire here, I'm trying to be careful, and shopping more online for the time being.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad you're being safe. It's crazy out there.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousJuly 27, 2020

    Glad you had a great B-day Loree!
    The photos are a joy.
    That Quercus is a holy grail plant for me.
    Did Sean give any hint if it might be propagated one day?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I recall correctly that was the only seed that germinated from the small batch he got. I'm sure he would love to get it propagated though, either from that little guy or another source.

      Delete
  9. No better birthday gift than nursery shopping. All the more special this year because of the challenges associated with going out in public this year. So glad you had a great day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are so lucky that our passion is outdoors where we can feel relatively safe.

      Delete
  10. Post HAPPY birthday ! .. Now that is the kind of birthday I would love and who can beat those candles ? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. Means Nursery ? Why have I never heard of that ? I love your haul, especially A.'Royal Flush'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tunnel vision? It's right there on highway 30 across from the Joy Creek turn. Look for it next time!

      Delete
  12. So glad you got out on your special day AND that it was HOT HOT HOT!! :) Always a treat to see you, Loree. Happy birthday again! xoox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad we were able to chat, and thanks again for the arenaria!

      Delete
  13. Happy birthday Loree. It sounds like you had the perfect day. Your 'gifts' are great. The meat claw looks particularly scary. I will be watching to see what it looks like when it grows larger.

    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!