Mt Hood and the surrounding mountains were looking frosty as we flew out on the 13th...
But soon enough I'd put my flip-flops on and was basking in the sunshine...
I managed to squeeze in quite a few plant and garden related stops, including visiting four nurseries: Walter Anderson (where the above photo was taken), Bird Rock Tropicals, Jungle Music and Solana Succulents. I visited Jim Bishop's garden, spent an afternoon in Balboa Park, wandered the pathways of the Self Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens, and of course I tested Andrew's patience by stopping at several interesting street-side gardens along the way...
This garden caught my eye our first day on the ground. I don't know if later in the trip I would have stopped to take photos, but that first afternoon I was still in awe of the succulent selection all around. Blooming Agave attenuata were everywhere...
Is the coloration because the plant is dying as it blooms, or due to drought stress?
I also saw crazy numbers of variegated Euphorbia ammak.
And beautiful blooming aloes...
The garden also had several non-blooming Agave attenuata.
And a couple bloomed-out A. attenuata with pups (bulbils) on what was left of the decapitated bloom spike. Those things fall off really easy when you touch them—ask me how I know. (more on that below)
All was not attractive in this planting however, as there was a butchered agave in the mix.
All I can imagine is that someone was worried about the spines being too close to the sidewalk? Poor thing!
Here's my modest haul from the trip, there was not much room in my carry-on.
From Bird Rock Tropicals (BRT) an Aechmea Bert (orlandiana x fosteriana)...
If I'd been driving I would have left BRT with a carful, but instead I just enjoyed looking at all that was on offer and photographing (there will be many San Diego blog posts in the future). I selected this particular bromeliad because it reminded me of one I lusted after in Jim Bishop's garden. Now that I look at his plant(s) though I'm not sure it's the same one.
Inspired by the plantings I saw at The Tropics, Inc. when I visited in November, I grabbed this Deuterocohnia brevifolia at Walter Anderson to pot up in a creative way. Andrew thought it looked like lots of little agaves.
Leaving Solana Succulents with just one plant was difficult, but I fell for this Hechtia tillandsioides (owner Jeff Moore ID'd it with a tentative "?") and was thankful I could squeeze it into my suitcase.
San Marcos Growers calls it a "an attractive and interesting grasslike terrestrial bromeliad"...
So remember the Agave attenuata bulbils I mentioned? Well two of them came home with me. I broke them off accidently and didn't want to just drop them on the ground where they'd languish so I took them with. There were others drying up in the same planting area so I really don't feel like I was taking something of value. I know, that's rationalization but there it is. (special thanks to Andrew for being my hand model)
Also from Bird Rock Tropicals, a Racinaea crispa (red clone). I've been lusting after this plant ever since I saw one on offer at the auction during the Bromeliad Summit in 2019. I'm hoping I can keep it alive.
In addition to the nurseries and gardens (and fishing from the piers) there were bookstore visits. I have so many books I haven't yet read that I wasn't planning to buy anything, but then I saw this. I read about this book somewhere recently and at used book prices I couldn't pass it up.
So, that's my San Diego haul and a quick overview of the trip. So much more to come! Meanwhile I'm back in chilly Portland where nights are frosty...
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Most excellent trip! Can't wait for more posts.
ReplyDeleteAgave attenuata bulbils: They're usually are so many of them, that taking a few is OK in my book. Most of them will end up being tossed by landscapers anyway.
Thanks for helping to appease my guilt.
DeleteI'm glad you got some sun - and no smoke!!! There are Agave attenuata blooming in my neighborhood too, although most have been poorly tended. Can you believe that in the 14 years we've lived here none of mine have ever bloomed?! One large clump came with the garden and I've harvested pups from it for other locations throughout my garden - I couldn't tell you how many I have but they do really like SoCal.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your other San Diego posts.
No smoke! There was one afternoon when the humidity dropped and the wind picked up, it was rather eerie. That's crazy that none of your attenuata have bloomed!
DeleteLooking forward to your take on Jim's garden! Lucky you and getting away to someplace sunny and warmer. The variegated Euphorbs are a favorite - I'm glad to see they aren't maimed. When I was in Davis last week, I heard that plants were getting stolen out of people's yards. That's a far cry different than snagging one that is clearly unloved. I was sorely tempted to take cuttings from UC-Davis campus, but I smacked that temptation down quick by remembering I don't need more tender pot plants at the moment, no matter how beautiful they are.
ReplyDeleteStealing plants is horrible. I know a few people who have had it happen around here. I don't want to be that person!
DeleteWhat an amazing photo of the plane's wing (looking like a fish tail) over Mt Hood. It is very exciting and satisfying to finally get a hold of a Racinaea crispa after wanting one for so long!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got some sun therapy for your anniversary.
Chavli
I'm glad you liked that photo, I thought it was a good one.
DeleteWhat a glorious trip, I love San Diego. Those agave were not being cared for, you did everyone a favor. Oooh, Racinaea crispa is really curly and cool. Deuterocohnia brevifolia do look like a clump of little agaves. Can't wait for more, it truly is a growing paradise there. I wish our climate was the same.
ReplyDeleteI wish my climate was the same too! Although no rain for almost a year is a concept I cannot wrap my head around.
DeleteThat looks like a great book--let us know how you like it, please. I'll look forward to learning more about your trip. I love San Diego and have family there. One of these years, I'll head back there again. :)
ReplyDelete