Look at this cute pumpkin sling!
A wide shot of the garden.
I'm not a huge fan of the coneflowers, but these...perfect.
I love the row of sunflowers gone to seed all lined up for the wildlife...
This garden is about a half-block from mine and I keep coming across devoured sunflower heads dropped in my garden.
I wonder if this is where they're coming from?
I've never grown tomatillo, looking at these I think I might need to.
A parting garden shot...
A flower from another neighbor's garden where many of my Opuntia came from
Earlier this spring I met a nice couple who were walking past my garden. They told me where they lived and invited me to come by. I cannot believe how many weeks have passed since that day. I did however finally make it by, and really loved what I saw. A carpet of Muehlenbeckia axillaris!
And this fabulous Agave ovatifolia backed by an arctostaphylos (I'm not smart enough to know which one).
I really wanted to knock and say "hi" and get a peek of what's happening behind that attractive door, but it was also mid-day on a Tuesday and I was pretty sure if they were home they were probably working, so I did not. Another time!
Moving on I came across another fabulous wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris). This plant is tenacious, but where it has the room do it's thing it is pretty spectacular.
Oh this is a good fence...
As long as you don't need complete privacy.
The pruning and shaping of this shrub was fantastic. I'm not sure I can convey it via photos, but I'm going to try. Here I'm standing on the public sidewalk looking straight at the trunk which is swept back as though it's growing seaside.
The base, where it emerges from the rock "wall"...
Looking east from the west side. So good!
Moving on. This modern home is on a very busy street. They seem to have found a balance of looking approachable but also maintaining a bit of privacy. The shiny galvanized fence next door is interesting as well. Here it's mainly metal with just a thin section of wood at the top.
This section is almost half and half (half wood half metal)...
The section with the thin wood topper features a bit of gutter as planting space.
That's not a lot of soil and I bet it can get pretty hot out here with the reflected heat from the sidewalk and street. I applaud their efforts.
A peek-a-boo cut out.
Here's a closer-up look at the sleek modern house.
I love these hebes as Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' hardy replacements.
Oh my! I think there must have been a bit of foliage leaning going on here. A drastic cut back seems to have happened.
Enough time has transpired that the bamboo is fluffy again, in some spots.
But others still have the freshly shorn look.
Culms for ID, if you're interested.
Crazy floating bamboo balls...
I saw the sign before I saw the tree.
But I can understand how people might be tempted to pick an apple or two, don't those look fabulous?
Finally, I'm almost back home, and I came upon this construction site. There was a small house here that sat empty and neglected for years, then it was torn down but the lot sat empty. Now there is action...
That's a big old tree, it's nice to see the city tries to take it's protection seriously.
One house, replaced by 3, or 4? That's the norm now.
At least the lot wasn't scraped clean, there is still green.
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Walking the neighborhood is the best cure for cabin fever. I do it multiple times a week, thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteThe pumpkin sling adorable! Note to self: plant sun flowers! I missed it again this year; I love those massive seed heads, even though squirrels and birds get to them first.
At first glance I thought the shiny galvanized fence was a construction sight... gladly, it's not next door to me.
Any idea which Hebe it is you were pointing out as 'Cousin Itt' replacement?
Sadly I have no idea which hebe that is! And yes, next year I hope to remember to plant teddy bear sunflowers in my "cutting garden" (stock tank).
DeleteI enjoyed following you on this walk. The pumpkin sling is cute and, living in a city where trees can be sacrificed to "view conservation," I was VERY impressed that Portland takes action in protecting tree roots at construction sites. I'll be interested to see what that metal/wood hybrid fence looks like when it's done too, although I can't say I'm on board based on first sight.
ReplyDeleteYour photo of the wonderful carpet of Muelenbeckia sent me outside to check the status of the plugs I planted along one section of shady slope last fall. It looked great this spring but, as the area is tucked away, I hadn't paid it any attention at all since spring. Sadly, it'd been swamped by the ever-ambitious ivy so I got a half hour of work in pulling some of that out before sweat started pouring down into my eyes. Another cleanup project for the list!
A battle between ivy and wire vine...now that would be an interesting one to watch! Good luck.
DeleteDefinitely enjoyed the walk. Such gardening diversity. I too, am in reserve on the galvanized fence, but think there is potential. Right now, it looks creaky and hostile together; but there is an idea in there. Love the invitation to wait until the fruit is ripe before picking. And the tree root protection. I hope some gardeners move in there, or children to climb the tree. Of course the victory garden is charming, but also the garden you were invited to visit, which is simply lovely in a quiet way. I hope you can venture inside another time.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what horrors the owner of that apple tree much have seen to inspire the sign. They certainly kept a most gracious tone though.
DeleteI like the fence in the first garden– open and airy, but an attractive boundary. I cut seeded sunflowers to reduce the weight on the plant and stick them in a fence in the garden, too. The birds are all over them. It's funny that critters steal the heads to eat in privacy and dump them in your garden, ha!
ReplyDeleteProbably crows or ravens
DeleteYou have a really interesting neighborhood with people doing cool things with their properties. I passed one of those knock down sites today and was horrified to see a huge pile of bull dozed tree trunks and branches piled in the corner. Thankfully your city officials see the value in protecting trees.
DeleteEliza, the first sunflower head that showed up was picked clean and quite beautiful, I saved it!
Deleteluv2garden, that lot was absolutely overgrown and so there was still a pile of trees and branches...but still, wonderful that some green was left in place.
The squirrels bring pears and apples from our neighbors garden into ours. There is a big privacy fence between our gardens. I don't know how they carry their heavy load over here.
ReplyDeleteFun seeing your neighborhood with all the different fencing and plantings.
I am truly amazed at the city protecting trees. Bravo.
Wouldn't you love a video of them at work?
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