In early June—when I shared photos and short videos of the Leo planters on the fence—blog reader and frequent commentor Chavli requested a video of all the fence plants. I did not forget about the request, but video is not a medium I naturally think of using. Fast forward to a nice day at the end of August and I finally decided to grab my phone and record. Is there audio? No. Just the sound of cars, and birds, and planes, and me crashing around. Maybe I'll be good enough to narrate someday. For now enjoy a few short videos, which I did upload to YouTube, I think that results in a better experience (click through to watch them there, where the videos are a little larger) and then photos, because what would a dg blog post be without photos?
The first video (or short in YouTube parlance) is a pan around the area...
The next is a little longer and looks closely at the plants on the fence...
Then a view from the west end, looking back towards our garage. And finally a look at the bromeliads on the tall columns in the far southwest corner of the garden. Here's the story in photos, approaching the shade pavilion via the walkway through the upper back garden.
The fence plants—starting on the far east end, closest to the back of our garage, and working west, towards the property line.
A chunky form of Billbergia nutans that sends up frequent flower spikes.
More Billbergia nutans that tend to bloom in early summer.
Rake and cultivator heads make good fence shelves.
Pteris vittata
The fern frame, a few months after putting it together.
I did this pyrrosia planting in August of of '22, I'm thrilled it's still looking good (and starting to grow through the burlap) two years later.
The bromeliad bowl planting...
And new pitchers on Nepenthes 'Miranda'.
This plant still thrills me some five years after bringing it home.
Yes, both pitcher styles are on the same plant. How cool is that?
A stepped back look at the shade pavilion area. Note, you can see two of the tall columns in the final video on the far right, behind the stock tanks.
And a rarely seen view from the west. I'm behind the stock tanks, near the columns, my back is to the fence at the back of the property (the west side), the brown building is our garage. I liked this angle because it shows off my oldest/tallest tetrapanax, which grows in a large stock tank.
And here's more of a straight-on view. The variegated fatsia is growing in a stock tank, and you can see the tetrapanx trunk as it arches up on the left. The metal and terracotta on the right is the top of the shortest of the column planters.
That's the tour! I am curious if the videos are something you'd like to see more of? Do they add to the experience in a way photos do not? Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
Excellent presentation, Loree! I've yet to master any video smoothly if it's longer than 10 seconds. Your fence display reads like an art exhibit. I couldn't help but contrast it with my local botanic garden's staghorn display, which is boring by comparison to your more artful and diversified compilation.
That side of your back garden is more sunny and open now? I think your neighbors cut down some trees or shrubs or something? It looks good and gives a more open sense to that area.
I like photos better myself--the ads youtube ads sticks onto videos are annoying.
Yes, back in 2020 several trees along the fence were removed. It's made a huge difference in the light. Ads!?! Of course. I hadn't even thought about them.
It's so glad you remember my request for more videos; I watched them on my large monitor. Mentioning some of the plants' names as you shoot would be wonderful. Videos aren't substitutions for still frames in my opinion. It is nice to have both. (In the "The bromeliad bowl planting": what's the dark narrow-leafed plant leaning on the right?" Are the short rectangular metal stands (under Billbergia nutans) new? The rake and hoe 'shelves' are gorgeous! Such a clever idea. Chavli
That's Ananas nanus 'Cathy', isn't she gorgeous? Those metal stands are new-ish. Someone gave me the tall one (it's actually a planter, but I flipped it upside down) and I had the small one and thought it worked will in this application. Thank you for inspiring me to do it!
I'm a fan of both video and photos. The videos gave a new perspective (for me) of the full scope. I mean, it's just amazing - artful, so totally cool and unique. I'm curious on video 2 @ :36. Is that a rhipsalis growing under/with the staghorn? I can't quite tell, or is it a fern? Either way, I like the unexpected combo.
It's rhipsalis. After I mounted the fern I felt like the moss at the base needed something else, so I stuck in cuttings. Most of them rooted and are growing!
Beautiful Nepenthes. Sometimes I find it easier (i.e. quicker) to record a video than it is to take photos and upload them - get everything placed "just so" and include some text. Keep the videos comin'
I also like both. Blah blah blah overthinking Jerry detail here.
Pictures are often more curated - people tend to select the most prettiest photo that perfectly conveys what they want to say. There can be both art and artifice in what is presented. Photos are good for storytelling and contemplating.
Videos provide more context, scale, and 3d-ness - new perspectives and angles that help link the photos together in space and time. Movement stimulates different parts of the brain than static photos. Videos can bring in another one of our senses by adding in sound. They can also be more fresh and honest, with detail that photographers sometimes subconsciously or consciously leave out of their photos. Think of the frustrations expressed with video like the short tours on the Fling - people wanted to stay longer and contemplate (pictures), but the movement and timeful nature of the tour sparked more creativity/interest because we only saw quick glimpses of things that made us want to learn more (video).
I appreciate the overthinking Jerry detail and it largely mirrors my own. The fact so many people have said to me "but your garage should be on that side," while pointing to the opposite side (when they visit the garden for the first time) tells me photos alone do not capture the garden well.
I know you use virtually every available square inch. It was great getting (re)acquainted with your fence dwellers!
ReplyDeleteWith a small garden I gotta take advantage of every surface!
DeleteAnd yes to more videos. It's something I'm trying to do more of, too, although it doesn't come naturally like taking still photos does.
ReplyDeleteI suppose this means we're old, yes?
DeleteExcellent presentation, Loree! I've yet to master any video smoothly if it's longer than 10 seconds. Your fence display reads like an art exhibit. I couldn't help but contrast it with my local botanic garden's staghorn display, which is boring by comparison to your more artful and diversified compilation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Kris, I'm having fun with it, so hopefully that comes across even in still photos and now videos.
DeleteThat side of your back garden is more sunny and open now? I think your neighbors cut down some trees or shrubs or something? It looks good and gives a more open sense to that area.
ReplyDeleteI like photos better myself--the ads youtube ads sticks onto videos are annoying.
Yes, back in 2020 several trees along the fence were removed. It's made a huge difference in the light. Ads!?! Of course. I hadn't even thought about them.
DeleteI like both with a bit more preference for the pictures. The videos go too fast. I like to soak in all the details of a picture.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood. That's why I like to watch recordings of the Zoom presentations I sign up for, I can pause and really look at the images.
DeleteSuch a pleasure to see! I am inspired to pot rhipsalis and bromeliad together. What medium do you use?
ReplyDeleteWhatever I have on hand. I know that's a bit of a cop out answer but it's true.
DeleteIt's so glad you remember my request for more videos; I watched them on my large monitor. Mentioning some of the plants' names as you shoot would be wonderful. Videos aren't substitutions for still frames in my opinion. It is nice to have both. (In the "The bromeliad bowl planting": what's the dark narrow-leafed plant leaning on the right?"
ReplyDeleteAre the short rectangular metal stands (under Billbergia nutans) new?
The rake and hoe 'shelves' are gorgeous! Such a clever idea.
Chavli
That's Ananas nanus 'Cathy', isn't she gorgeous? Those metal stands are new-ish. Someone gave me the tall one (it's actually a planter, but I flipped it upside down) and I had the small one and thought it worked will in this application. Thank you for inspiring me to do it!
Delete("do it" meaning to take the videos)
DeleteI'm a fan of both video and photos. The videos gave a new perspective (for me) of the full scope. I mean, it's just amazing - artful, so totally cool and unique. I'm curious on video 2 @ :36. Is that a rhipsalis growing under/with the staghorn? I can't quite tell, or is it a fern? Either way, I like the unexpected combo.
ReplyDeleteIt's rhipsalis. After I mounted the fern I felt like the moss at the base needed something else, so I stuck in cuttings. Most of them rooted and are growing!
DeleteBeautiful Nepenthes. Sometimes I find it easier (i.e. quicker) to record a video than it is to take photos and upload them - get everything placed "just so" and include some text. Keep the videos comin'
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed!
DeleteI also like both. Blah blah blah overthinking Jerry detail here.
ReplyDeletePictures are often more curated - people tend to select the most prettiest photo that perfectly conveys what they want to say. There can be both art and artifice in what is presented. Photos are good for storytelling and contemplating.
Videos provide more context, scale, and 3d-ness - new perspectives and angles that help link the photos together in space and time. Movement stimulates different parts of the brain than static photos. Videos can bring in another one of our senses by adding in sound. They can also be more fresh and honest, with detail that photographers sometimes subconsciously or consciously leave out of their photos. Think of the frustrations expressed with video like the short tours on the Fling - people wanted to stay longer and contemplate (pictures), but the movement and timeful nature of the tour sparked more creativity/interest because we only saw quick glimpses of things that made us want to learn more (video).
I appreciate the overthinking Jerry detail and it largely mirrors my own. The fact so many people have said to me "but your garage should be on that side," while pointing to the opposite side (when they visit the garden for the first time) tells me photos alone do not capture the garden well.
DeleteOh All so Beautiful. Question, do you have a Big Greenhouse to put Them, in the Winter. Just so Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe shade pavilion itself is enclosed and becomes a greenhouse, thanks to my clever husband.
Delete