Unfortuantely when I was driving nearby and remembered to stop, I discovered I'd left my camera at home, iPhone to the rescue!
The Agave ovatifolia are what Matthew called out in his FB post, and both are amazing—but there is so much more to love here...like a few palms (Trachycarpus wagnerianus I'm guessing) and at least eight Agave parryi.
And these two large, trunking, guys...
Oh, and also several spiky opuntia...
I bet seeing the agapanthus in bloom with all the spikes adds a nice color to the mix.
Everything is tucked away behind a short, but substantial hedge.
I wish I knew the story behind this garden. How long has it been here? What did they do to prep the soil?
Looks like those agapanthus were super dark blue.
The mix of gravel and rock is quite fabulous, and unusual for Portland, at least in my experience.
There's the largest Agave ovatifolia, isn't it gorgeous?
Seriously stunning.
The garden next door caught my eye...
It's not as "all out spiky," but still rather inspiring.
I have no idea if I'm correct, but I want to call the conifer Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice'.
It was pretty fabulous and looks like it's been taken care of (pruned well) over the years.
The line of Cupressus sempervirens (again, I'm guessing) along the sidewalk were also impressive.
And then there's the grass...you'd better like plants brushing your body to walk up to this front door.
Looks like you'll be rewarded with a lush little Yucca linearifolia if you do make the trip.
Looking back at the garden that brought me...
I wonder if there was vandalism after planting and that's why the hedge?
Super tidy palm...
And btw, that hedge was approximately 33" tall (measured with my hip), so I am guessing the agave is about 40"? Wow...thanks Matthew for finding (and sharing) this gem.
Weather Diary, Sept 24: Hi 72, Low 60/ Precip trace
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I wonder, with the age of the home/maturity of the hedge, the hedge was preexisting and the plants inside are new? I like the contrast of English/formal and the xeric interior.
ReplyDeleteInteresting theory and you may be on to something...
DeleteThe A. parryi are pretty gorgeous too. A really eclectic mix of plants between the two properties which makes it all the more eye-catching.
ReplyDeleteI wish they were my neighbors!
DeleteThat is a good garden find. It has a nice mix of plants that go very well with the house' exterior and style. In photo #5, there seem to be a massive hedge growing on the parking strip; they enjoy quite a bit of privacy. The second home use those tall and skinny trees that I love and find very useful in small city gardens. Never knew their name, so I'll hold on to your guess for now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going through my photos to post I was surprised by that tall hedge in the hellstrip, I was so focused on the agaves that I completely blocked it out.
DeleteJust fabulous. Love inspired side-by-side gardens that aren't matchy matchy. I should leave the house once in a while & maybe I'd see things like this. But sure appreciate you keeping it covered. One of these day, I'm getting that Cupressus. Love it. I think it's the one Kate McMillan has. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI recently went on another out and about to photograph agaves/gardens that people had told me about, I will do my best to keep it covered!
DeletePretty crazy eh? I was sure surprised to see all that! I bet the hedge was there first and they kept it to keep children and pets out of the yard. My barber knows the people that live there, I can pry for more info the next time I get my hair cut!
ReplyDeleteYay! More information will definitely be appreciated. And thanks again for the tip.
DeleteOh my...all of it is stunning, especially the Agave ovatifolia. That is beauty right there. Yes, curious about the hedge. Maybe the gardeners who own these pretty gardens will come forth and share the knowledge??
ReplyDeleteMatthew has promised to get more info the next time he gets his hair cut so...stay tuned!
DeleteWow ! Your neighbours have such awesome gardens ! :)
ReplyDeleteYes there are some pretty fabulous gardens here in Portland!
DeleteNice garden! I like how they left the Yucca rostrata's 'legs' shaggy. Gives them more personality!
ReplyDeleteAh the eternal to trim or not to trim question. I do like them here, untrimmed, but in my garden, I trim.
DeleteThe pairing of Agaves, Yucca and Agapanthus is interesting. While I also have all 3 in my garden, they're not that close together but maybe I'm missing an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteOr not, they look fabulous in your garden as you have them.
DeleteI guess it is all in the soil prep or rather lack of soil. Those are some seriously beautiful agaves with not a mark on them. I love the Artichoke agave.
ReplyDeleteIt's an east facing garden too, I would have thought you'd need southern exposure for that kind of perfection.
DeleteThose agaves are really outstanding and from the pictures they look pristine. I wonder if they cover them in the winter? I have trouble seeing how that Ovatifolia would not be scarred over any but the most benign winter, without covering.
ReplyDeleteGreat find and thanks for sharing!
I guess I'll have to remember to do a drive by or two in the wintertime...
DeleteTwo very good front gardens! A "find" for sure. Thanks for the look.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteBoth gardens are impressive in design and plant selection. Those Yucca rostrata are amazing, including how they don't have half their live foliage removed for the shaving brush look. To me, the formal hedge works so well to frame a naturalistic arrangement of the spikiness, and I could see it as working with some original lawnscape or as a new intention.
ReplyDeleteIs the palm in the 2nd to last pic a Livistonia or something other than a Trachy?
I am no palm expert but I thought it was a Trachycarpus wagneriensis.
DeleteYes, that Agave is special. But so is the entirety of the garden. I really like the gravel/rock mulch, too. (Great iPhone photos, btw; I never would have known. Your photos are always great.)
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Beth!
DeleteWow ! That is one amazing Agave variety.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/09/garden-affair-flowering-aquatic-plants.html
ReplyDelete