Weather Diary, March 1: Hi 60, Low 39/ Precip 0
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
A trio of whales and other interesting creatures
Here I am at yet another garden I was tipped off to by a friend. A friend who knows how happy it makes me to see other agave lovers doing their thing here in Portland...
I took these photos back on January 9th, and unfortunately some are quite blurry. Just pretend the wind is blowing the leaves on those Yucca rostrata.
Hey, look at those lovely creatures!
Although one did have a fin that looked little concerning (get it, fin... because after all Agave ovatifolia is the whale's tongue agave).
I would love to know how old these are, and what size they were when planted.
The same garden's hellstrip...
Agave bracteosa
And another...
Since the neighborhood looked like it had potential, I took a couple random turns before heading on my way, looking left and right, scanning for interesting plants. I was rewarded with this garden and it's gem of an agave. Hellstrip...
And corner of the garden "proper"...
Walking further up the sidewalk I discovered an interesting vignette (in the same garden)...
There was a lot to look at.
Walking back to my car now...
I feel like such an agave loser that I didn't have a firm idea what this is. I had a few guesses but sent a photo to my friend Bryon Jones at the PDZA to see what he thought. He had a couple ideas as well, but sent it on to Greg Starr to see what he thought. Greg says Agave havardiana—so there you have it!
It's certainly happy and healthy and pupping! But a little close to the sidewalk.
Nice work fellow Portland spiky-plant lovers!
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Seeing this neighbourhood reminds me of walking through older Victoria areas with my grandmother years ago. All the rock edges with plants right to the sidewalk. Love the agave and conifer tree seedling side by side. Who will win?
ReplyDeleteThis is a good question. Perhaps the agave will grow to blooming age and bow out, giving the conifer it's space (and a few kids too, by the look of things).
DeleteThe trio looks absolutely stunning! But I’ve also found myself admiring the colour of the house...
ReplyDeleteIt's a good match for the agaves and yuccas isn't it?
DeleteI wonder which came first in the case of the first house: the paint color or the three Agave ovatifolia? In any case, it's a masterful match. The equine garden vignette along the sidewalk is a sweet idea to draw children into the possibilities offered by a garden.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was quite striking how well the paint on the building next door worked with the house and agaves.
DeleteYikes, those Agave spikes are awfully close to the sidewalk. Hope Portlanders aren't too litigious!
ReplyDeleteI wonder which is more dangerous, those spikes or raised sidewalks edges from tree roots?
DeleteBoth, I expect. Although, as a kid I loved riding my bike over those bumpy tree roots!
DeleteOh yes, I like it! One of these days I'll get to Portland; I so wish I hadn't had a conflict the year the Fling was there. Thanks for sharing these fun gardens.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be here when you do make it!
DeleteLoree, Perhaps you've been back to the first house multiple times by now to check on those Agaves. If you haven't been back in summer, the tree to the left is a big, beautiful Vitex agnus-castus, which covers itself with blue-purple (usually) flowers in summer.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I have been back to that house, but not in the summer. There was some major work done in the front garden, but thankfully the agaves remain. I can't remember if the tree does... I will try to check it out!
Delete