Monday, October 12, 2020

Juxtaposition

I was on my way to Xera Plants to pick up a trio of Cyclamen hederifolium 'Xera's Sterling' when I saw such an interesting juxtapostion of style and materials that I had to pull over to take photos. First though, the cyclamen...

Beautiful, right? I still haven't unlocked the secret to cyclamen success in my garden, but here I am, trying, again.


I hope this time—the third—is the charm, since these have white flowers... which I prefer over the more common pink. Oh, and just in case you were thinking of hitting up Xera for some of these for your very own, don't. They are all gone.


So here's what I stopped to photograph...

This venerable old building—a former public library—must have been recently rehabbed. I've driven this very same route to Xera many times and never seen the silver metal tubes.


They're filled with cement and, in combination with the large boulders, acting as a retaining wall.


If you know me at all, you know I love shiny metal. These tubes look like sections of galvanized fence posts, the very same material I use as the base of my dish planters. In fact I've even schemed on replacing a small section of cement block wall next to our driveway with cut tubes like this. But I'm just not 100% on board with this design...


First of all I am so sad about the missed opportunity to plant in the tubes, although I suppose keeping the plants watered—in a public setting like this—would be a nightmare.


I'm also a big believer in consistency of materials. The only other silver metal element in the landscape are the tiny little buttons that run along the edge of the wall, meant to deter skateboarding stunts. I do appreciate their trying out something new and different. Maybe there's another galvanized piece in the works that hasn't been installed yet? 


Then again when I look at this image I think the contrast in materials is quite attractive, and even reminiscent of a waterfall or dam. What do you think? 

Weather Diary, Oct 11: Hi 60, Low 54/ Precip .35 

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

16 comments:

  1. I like it: a touch of modernity to this grand old building. The only thing missing is an Agave...

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  2. While I admire the ingenuity unfortunately, I think they look kind of odd. They have a modern vibe which I find at odds with the building's older architecture. However, love the plantings.

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  3. I like the idea a lot. It might be a way for me to create horizontal places to safely place my feet to climb and maintain the slopes. Something seems slightly "off" in the execution. What is that, exactly?

    Is the scale off? Would tubes of a larger diameter be better? Are they just not arranged as meticulously as they should be? What if the material was (for example) bamboo, or pieces of white-barked birch instead of metal tubes? What if the metal tubes were painted (for example) matte black, or glossy chartreuse? These are design questions for people with design talent, such as you.

    Fun stuff to think about!

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  4. I think the silver metal blends well with what seems to be mostly dark gray rock - I'd probably feel differently about the mix if the rock was a tan or light brown color.

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    1. And I hadn't even thought about the rock color, mainly because that IS the color you get around these parts.

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  5. I think you are more critical because you have done so much with shiny metal containers and think about them more than the rest of us. I assume they will lose that glow and look more like the wall and the stone striations. I think it needs some silver leaved foliage. I had a Cyclament make it through the winter and so this spring planted more. We'll see how it goes.

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    1. OH! Silver foliage would be a great addition.

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  6. As is, I'm not thrilled with the metal pipes, though I like the differing heights. A metal sculpture or large planted bowl would tie them in better. I agree with the above comment about the modern not going with the old brick building. I'm thinking sunken lengths of cedar trees or similar would work better.

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    1. The different heights and the different diameters are a definite plus in my eye.

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  7. I don't know. At first when I saw just a small section, I wasn't impressed. But stepping back, the overall effect might grow on me. I do like the way you use them better.

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    1. There is definitely something to the fact they used them over and over. Much better than if it was just one or two sections.

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  8. Interesting idea to refine but the pipes not being perfectly straight would drive me nuts.

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