Back on Saturday June 22nd (almost a month ago, why does summer go so fast?) I visited a couple of
HPSO open gardens up in East Clark County, Washington. I live in Northeast Portland so Washington State is just a quick jaunt across the bridge over the Columbia River. My first stop was Karen Palmer and John Emmett's garden.
When I arrived the owners were out greeting visitors in the driveway and I overheard mention of the "yucca garden". I asked for clarification, a yucca in the garden? Nope. A section of the garden devoted to yucca! Unexpected!
They've been gardening on these 5 acres for 27 years. I didn't catch where the petrified would collection came from, but since they travel frequently to Tucson and bring back plants, I wonder if maybe they came from the SW?
The stems on this potted succulent were remarkable.
I think this was a Burkea purpurea not quite ready to open?
The view was breathtaking.
And the yucca garden was tons of fun.
They weren't labeled and I'm not going to venture a guess. They all definitely had their own personalities.
Petrified planter.
This one looks to be a nolina, rather than a yucca. Perhaps Nolina matapensis (ID from a friend)
A final glance at the yucca...
There were lots of veggies and fruit trees in the garden, but I failed to take any photos of those, other than this artichoke.
Monkey puzzle! Araucaria araucana
What a fun greenhouse off the back of the garage (I think?).
There were several dry-loving container plants that must spend winter in that greenhouse.
Just across the street was Lucie and Mike Friedlander's garden, also open for touring. This was a very different aesthetic...
Oh! But with another greenhouse, this one detached.
Quite detached!
Looking towards the house and pool, across the ginormous lawn.
Sweet!
Deer are an issue here, hence the tall fence around a fruit and vegetable garden in front of the greenhouse.
Containers outside on their summer vacation.
Peeking inside...
And the edibles...
Heading towards the pool now, looking back over my shoulder.
What does one call a structure like this?
The pool, and bbq.
The tennis court, and it's not your imagination, the "lawn" has turned into a lawn substitute on this part of the property.
Wow. Such a different way of living, I do appreciate them opening their garden though.
It was lovely...
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I couldn't get over the size of those gardens. No need to cram plants in, ignoring there matures sizes, there. And I got hung up on the greenhouses. It looks like the Friedlanders had 2 or more large tanks next to the greenhouse - to capture rainwater maybe?
ReplyDeleteI thought they were propane tanks?
DeleteI can't imagine having that much space, it's really beautiful. Both of the greenhouses are great in their own way. Oooooh that petrified wood.
ReplyDeleteAnd the view! I grew up with an expansive view like that and I would love to have it again.
DeleteYes, just where is summer going? It seems like it just started. How lovely to have petrified wood like that, but it must be a real bear to move them. I like all the little curls at the tips of the Nolina leaves - best part, IMHO. Quite an old specimen. I like the style of the greenhouse at the second estate. Nicely sized, though I did puzzle over the herb buckets hanging inside.
ReplyDeleteI puzzled too. I decided maybe they were for harvesting the herbs?
DeleteThe space! The space! I can't even imagine.
ReplyDeleteYucca garden, that's a new one for me. With 5 acres, you could have a yucca garden, an agave garden, a nolina garden, etc.
The second greenhouse, dreamy!
I suggested an agave garden, or at least an agave in the yucca garden. They didn't seem interested.
Delete