Friday, April 21, 2023

Ideas to borrrow, from the Osterling Alessandrini garden

Today I'm sharing ideas from the Osterling Alessandrini garden that I want to keep track of for inspiration, or for outright stealing. To tour the garden proper visit Monday's post.

I love these cement or stone dividers. There is a similar design element on NYC's High Line that I really liked. This is a great garden-sized version of that.

A planting pocket in the steps to the front door, yes please!

I've shared this image in a few talks I've given, recently someone pointed out that it might be a tripping hazard. 

Okay, yes. But really... finding a place for more plants is always the right answer!

Fun paving patterns...

These next few patterns look like a lot of upkeep work, fabulous as they are.



Barrel rings in the tree, more surface for vines to cover, or to tuck in epiphytic plants.

Graffiti style painting as a colorful backdrop...


Stumps as planters.


My friend Ann has a few of these grey cylinders, I covet them.

This, I adore this!

I think it's basically a hunk of wood with some large bolts stuck in the side and hug from chains.

Moss and succulents, only in the PNW.

Clever.

What exactly this is I am not sure, but I'm curious and there's inspiration in there somewhere.


A simple idea for creating hanging space, metal tubes thru a piece of wood.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn these creative gardeners made this fountain from an old light fixture.


This fairly traditional urn shape is usually seen on a much more formal pedestal (next photo down), but I thought this juxtaposition was fun twist.

And that's a wrap from the Osterling Alessandrini garden!

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16 comments:

  1. You saved the best for last - I love being inspired by others' ideas.
    I would adopt a 'pocket-planting' idea anytime, but keep it off my steps and paths. (Mostly recovered from a hyperextended knee, I'd rather not tumble again).
    Not a graffiti fan, but their wall painting is brilliant and fun!
    Planting in wood logs, hanging or otherwise is always a favorite. I keep trying to incorporate it in my own garden... not always as easy as it first appears. I am sure you'll have some version of it in your garden.
    Chavli

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    1. I'm still hunting for just the right log...

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  2. Love the hanging stump planter. They really take advantage of the PNW climate with their creative genius. Everything melds seamlessly (except the mannequins) into the greater landscape when it takes on a mossy patina. A really unique garden.

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    1. Except the mannequins, ha! They definitely don't blend, but they seem right at home.

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  3. This is GOOD GOOD stuff, Loree. I'm bookmarking this one, I see a lot I too can steal. Thanks!

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  4. These are wonderful ideas to save, Loree. I fully expect them to get some coverage in your next book but, in the meantime, I'm saving your post for future reference. The step planting pockets remind me of a different version I've always loved, inset between steps at Sherman gardens. The graffiti wall prompted me to think about embedding glass marbles in a fence in my own garden. I planted a Yucca gloriosa in a massive stump here and learned I should have compressed the soil a lot more beforehand as the Yucca has slowly sunk (and as the raccoons continue to use it as their personal toilet, I haven't yet faced the project of replanting it). I love the giant bird nest (made of grape vines maybe?) and the hanging space for pots too.

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    1. Ugh. A raccoon toilet is not a good thing. Little jerks!

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  5. Very inspiring. Thank you!

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  6. The large orb of dried branches with the eagle on top: this looks like the vines of my evergreen clematis. Kind of shredded. Great texture. Thanks for the tour and creative uses focus.

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    1. Interesting. I was trying o make hem be a grapevine (in my mind) but it wasn't quite right. Your idea makes better sense.

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  7. I'm saving this post for future ideas too. I love that step design at the top and and am scheming how to recreate it. I wish I could see what is supporting them from underneath and giving the floating appearance. The barrel rings in the tree have given me another idea and we've got so many stumps in our yard that I could make some interesting planters. The hard part will be getting them hollowed out. And, that simple, hanging rack design. I need to reimagine some of our space in our yard, and this sort of wonderland helps get those creative parts of my mind moving - thanks for showcasing the garden Loree, and thanks for sharing your creativity Ron and Mike!

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    1. I'm glad so much from this garden appealed to you and I look forward to seeing these things take shape in your garden.

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  8. Super inspiring. I've bookmarked this post. I love the gray cement cylinder in particular. I wonder where it came from? I have four clay chimney flue liners that I'll put into service soon.

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    1. Ann told me once upon a time, I need to ask her again.

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