Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Visiting Bosky Dell Natives

Today we're going back to late September and a visit to Bosky Dell Natives. This was my second time at this nursery, the first was way back in April of 2014. Back then I had no idea what to expect, this time I knew it was gonna be fun...

That sign was for those leaving the nursery, since I'd just arrived I was entering the scenic wayside—there was no sign for that however.


This is a nursery with a lot of personality.

I was there on a mission. Thanks to a Facebook post from a Portland visitor I knew they had something in stock that I wanted, we'll get to that in a bit. First we wander.

Ferns and opuntia, this is definitely my kind of place.


Oh! There's what I was after, Goodyera oblingifolia aka rattlesnake orchid. This native is typically found in shady, moist coniferous forests that are rich in decomposing leaves and mosses. I fell hard for this plant when I saw it in the Mt Rainer National Park last summer and wanted to try growing it in my garden.
 
I grabbed a few of the orchids and put them aside then kept on wandering—there was still so much to see...



B&B arctostaphylos I believe.

Stump planting.

Oh! A nice little planting with the object of my affection, the Goodyera oblingifolia.

Aren't they cute?


I love this table planting and use this image in my garden vignettes talk.


Blechnum spicant, aka deer fern.


Another table planting that made it into my presentation, cause it's so fun!



You know I love some rusty repurposed planters.



That hand cultivator is just fabulous, don't you think?


This sign needed some moss.

Break area for the employees, I think?









My parents had that exact same wheelbarrow when I was a kid.

Here are my purchases, four of the Goodyera oblingifolia and a pair of Linnaea borealis (twinflower). The goodyera can be a little tricky to get established, I was told other native companions will help and got an extra thumbs up for the twinflower—so I bought them. On Friday I'll share where I planted them...

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18 comments:

  1. Ferns and cacti and mosses--yes, please. They have some interesting displays, for sure. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It's a fun place to get lost for an hour or so!

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  2. I recognized Goodyera while hiking in the Olympic Forest in recent years. It's similar to our east coast native, but our leaves are more prominently striped. Goodyera pubescens is fairly common in east coast forests, but it is most recognizable in leaf and not when it's flowering as other plants often hide it. It doesn't make a big show in the garden, but I'm happy to have small numbers of many of our native orchids.

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    1. "doesn't make a big show"... great way to describe it. We don't always need a big show anyway, do we?

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  3. I knew that nursery was right up your alley when I saw the first rusty metal object. (I love the one in photo #7.) It's a wild place, in all the best meanings of that term. I like animal figures when they blend in. I think I need a cougar.

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    1. I am not a fan of metal curlicues or ruffles but did love that plant stand the way it was being used here. Definitely got my creative energies flowing!

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  4. You had fun. A place that is perfect for you.

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    1. The fact it was a sunny beautiful day helped too.

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  5. I spot a feline! 🐱

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  6. what a great quirky place, so much personality.

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  7. This nursery is wild, both literally and figuratively. So many fun things to look at, starting with the 'leaving' sign, through the hypertufa planter on a pedestal and the rusting metal chair begging for a 'succulent seat'.
    The stalking cougar on the planting table is fabulous... so real.
    Chavli

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    1. It's a treasure for sure, fun to explore.

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  8. Nursery looks almost like part of the forest that surrounds it. Something cool in that. Goodyera--nifty foliage, a bit like a Cryptanthus. May it thrive in your garden!

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    1. So far so good, although I've learned from people that they can be short-lived.

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  9. I'm so happy everyone enjoyed Bosky Dell Natives! I started this business 30 years ago with a $20.00 bill, a card table and a dream. It's so rewarding that so many people are making an effort to make their gardens a safe haven for wildlife and a pollinators oasis! Every little pocket makes a difference! Lory

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    1. So glad you saw this post Lory, you've created a fabulous place!

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