Monday, May 17, 2021

Exploring the garden of a North Portland agave-lover

Wow, will you look at that agave! (those agaves...)

I didn't just happen upon this fabulous garden, no, Paul Bonine of Xera Plants tipped me off to the fact there were a few extraordinary agaves here that I might enjoy seeing. Yes. Very much yes.

This Agave 'Blue Glow' doesn't know it's only marginally hardy here in Portland, and so it's thrived for several years.

I started to count, I lost track and started over, more than once. Let's just say there are more than 16 agaves in this hellstrip.

Of course this is the main attraction...

Agave x protamericana 'Blue Steel', for those of you who are wondering.

A nearby pup.

Yucca? Dasylirion? Nolina? I wish I knew...

In this photo I think the plant on the far left is a puya, then clockwise from there you've got Agave 'Sharkskin', Agave ovatifolia, Agave parryi, Agave bracteosa, and another A. parryi.

Agave parryi

Agave 'Sharkskin'

Agave ovatifolia

Agave ovatifolia (another view)

And another look at the Agave x protamericana 'Blue Steel'.

With a Yucca linearifolia tucked up close!

As luck would have it, as I snapped these photos of the hellstrip a car pulled into the driveway, and that's how I met the garden's owner and creator, Scott. He wasn't the slightest bit phased by a stranger snapping photos of his garden (I would imagine with a front garden like this it happens all the time) and invited me to tour the private, back garden. 

Blooming Arbutus menziesii, fancy conifer whose name I cannot remember, and a pond!

Pavers all hand poured and placed by Scott himself. Can you imagine?

Garden "shed" (seems too nice to call a shed) built by Scott.

A closer look at the pond.

And a look out across the back garden...

Pathway on the shady side of the house...

Yes, that's a stock tank.

This man does agaves so well!


Now we're back out front and looking at the shady pathway from the front gate.

Just a few more agave shots. This plant and the next couple were rescues from an over-grown lot in North Portland...



I also had to include an appreciation shot for the dramatic eucalyptus that frame Scott's driveway.

What a wonderful garden with a gracious and creative owner. Gardeners are really the very best people!

Weather Diary, May 16: Hi 83, Low 51/ Precip 0 

All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

14 comments:

  1. Wow ! What a fab garden and now it's world famous ! Very very well done Scott !

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  2. How amazing that you not only got to see the amazing front yard with all of the very healthy agaves, but you got to meet Scott! I have never seen such beautiful Agave bracteosa's. They are incredibly lush and just plain perfect. I'm in awe, I'm lusting after the gate, and I must say that turning the stock tank on it's side to create a piece of art is brilliance. So happy you were just at the right time to get an invite to his inner sanctum.

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    1. Very lucky timing for sure, and yes... that upturned stock tank is inspired!

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  3. Love the serendipity - great timing to get the back tour as well as meet another Agave enthusiast.

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  4. Much as I enjoyed the front garden, I was enamored with the one in the back but then I suffer badly from pond envy. My husband asked me what I want for my birthday and I'm tempted to say a pond. But we're in a drought again and then there's the raccoon problem...I was impressed by the stock tank sculpture piece too.

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    1. Maybe some carefully concealed electric wires to keep the racoons away?

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  5. Some great unique elements in this garden ! So I have to ask -considering the Agave action was Scott 'danger garden' aware ?

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  6. Wow. Absolutely gorgeous. So lucky he invited you in to see the whole garden.

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  7. AnonymousMay 19, 2021

    Wow!!! So cool!! This shows what can be done in Portland.
    Incredible other-worldly look to his garden. I get so much from this web site!!
    Jim N.
    TABOR

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  8. Fabulous garden! I love the gate, shed, eucalyptus, and, well, everything.

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  9. Wow… that looks great! Would love to go check that out sometime!

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