Sunny but chilly, a morning walk around the 'hood

Our days of perpetual sunshine (plus a record-breaking number of dry January days) had come to an end, replaced by low grey skies and threats of snow. So when last Tuesday was unexpectedly sunny I went for a long walk. I never set off intending to take photos for a blog post, but once I pull out the phone (camera), it's hard to stop!

How could I not document these stunning Agave ovatifolia? (plus a couple of A. parryi)

On the other side of the sidewalk there are a couple more (and they're a little tormented by conifer litter)...

How nice it would be to have this front porch fern grotto!

Yes, I am using the term loosely, it's kind of cave-like.

These folks are getting rid of their front lawn with chipboard and a very thick layer of woodchip mulch. 

I wish I knew when they'd started the project, it would be fun to watch the progress.

Oh my. How do I not remember these sculptures in the making?

Seems like a lot of work.

This house used to have a big healthy opuntia planting out front, and that cryptomeria used to be a lot smaller.

The opuntia is gone, but I see there is still an agave back there, can you see it?

There...

That's a sweet Yucca linearifolia!

Ditto for the Euphorbia rigida (same property).

And still the same property, a fine opuntia, trachycarpus (palm), and more...

I hope the Agave bracteosa doesn't get ran over.

Simple, but striking. There was a nice little patio up near the house and driveway, but I couldn't get a good shot.

It smelled even better than it looks (hamamelis species)

I wonder what's hiding under those frost-protection tents? I'll have to remember to walk this way again when it's warmer (our nights have been cool, a low of 25F recorded a couple times, but there's even more cool (with possibly snow and freezing rain) on the way).

It occurs to me as I work my way thru this post just how many brick homes I photographed! Andrew and I call this neighborhood the ranchlands because of all the ranch-style homes there, and a lot of them are either completely brick, or have brick accents.

This ranchlands garden has been featured many times on this blog, although it's been awhile. Things have grown substantially...

An other Agave ovatifolia, I believe.

The hellstrip with opuntia, arctostaphylos and barely visible at the far right a large cholla.

The Yucca rostrata here have attained tree-like height.

They're remarkable!

I crossed a street to get a photo of the green (next shot), but was also captivated by the contrast next door, with the hard lines.

Green!

Lots of green.

I have no idea what this is, but it makes a nice soft brown winter moment.

I drive by this structure at least once a week. I've been trying to figure out what's under there (I surely saw it before it was covered) but seeing it from the sidewalk side offered no more clues. I should have stuck my phone under there to get a photo or two, but the opening at the bottom is more narrow than it looks.

Oh hey... this one's familiar, home!

Before I end this post I wanted to mention that I'll be speaking at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival again this year. My topic; #fernsarethenewsucculents. This is the same talk I gave to the Hardy Fern Foundation last month, so if you missed it there (and you'll be at the show on Friday morning at 11:15), come say hi! Bonus; you don't even need a ticket to the show to attend the Plant Academy talks (where I'll be), they're FREE! More info on the seminars HERE.

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