Monday, August 3, 2020

A return to the lizardland garden...

One Friday afternoon Andrew and I headed out to take a walk. He hoped to end up somewhere he could get a fishing line in the water. I decided I wanted to check on a guerrilla garden I wrote about last year (here)... best of both worlds!

I've visited this garden a few times since that first post, it's been fun to watch it transform. A lot has changed since I visited last November. For instance there's now a pathway...

A lot more driftwood has been added and planting pockets created or expanded.

There are so many different kinds of opuntia represented in the garden. 

To refresh your memory (or catch you up, if you haven't seen this garden before) it's a volunteer effort. These plants are all donations or things from it's creator's own garden.


There are agaves too. I donated a few pups to the cause, but I'm not sure if this one, or any of the others you'll see are from me. What really caught my eye this visit was the addition of artwork, like the piece below...

As I took in the whole garden I started to feel a bit like I'd been transported to southern England and Derek Jarman's garden at Prospect Cottage


Well the steeper version. Derek's garden was rather flat. This one is definitely not.








If you're a fan of Derek Jarman's garden you must see the similarities?


If you're unfamiliar you should read the NYT article I linked to above, and if you're a fan then get your hands on the book, here.


There are so many sempervivum! Of course they're quite thirsty now, we haven't had rain for weeks and it's been quite hot. They'll hunker down though and when the rain returns this fall they'll be quite happy.



A final glance before we journey on...

And disturb a lizard! These little guys are the garden's namesake so it was only right that we come across one during our visit.

If I had a way to get them home this vignette would make for quite the inspired planting.
Ditto with this one. Look at that hollowed out planting pocket!
Weather Diary, Aug 2: Hi 86, Low 61/ Precip 0 

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

12 comments:

  1. I definitely see the links to Jarman, and also as with Jarman's garden like how the garden is part of rather than a contrast to its harsh landscape. The touches of pattern introduced on logs are wonderful. I hope fishing was also enjoyed.

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    1. There was fishing...but no fish were tempted to take the bait.

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  2. I remember this garden! I was impressed by the volunteer spirit and the initiative to improve a public space, rewarded by the pure joy of gardening. The added art is very appealing to me. Not only do I love driftwood for the look and planting opportunities in all nooks and crannies, but its reminiscent of Aboriginal dot art. VERY cool.

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    1. You're right! And you summed up the garden perfectly in your sentence "I was impressed by the volunteer spirit and the initiative to improve a public space, rewarded by the pure joy of gardening."

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  3. This garden is at least as much of a challenge as is Jarman's. The steep hill is daunting in my eyes. It is fun seeing it come around looking like a garden well loved.

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    1. There were a few times I got a little dizzy as I was climbing among the plants. It would be very easy to lose your footing.

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  4. You are right, it has a very Derek Jarman feel which is high praise.

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  5. This garden really has progressed since you first shared it. I love the use of the driftwood as plant pockets and admire the Sempervivum, which unlike most succulents aren't particularly happy here. I love the artwork too, which fits the scene well. Were those patterns created using nails?

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    1. That's because sempervivum are alpine plants, you can't have all the fun with succulents! And yes, old nails I believe.

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  6. I recognized this place right away, glad to have an update. It must be pretty neat to stumble upon this if you are unaware of it ahead of time. Love the artwork and shield lichen, which enhance the jumble of textures between stone and driftwood. Makes me want to see if I can find a weathered stump with roots!

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    1. I'm still dreaming of wrestling one of those stumps home. If only...

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