I made a quick trip up to Tacoma, WA, towards the end of June, the purpose was a
Hardy Fern Foundation tour on Vashon Island, a chance to finally see the Riehl Stumpery (tree ferns!). I'll have a future post on that, but today I'm sharing my quick walk around
Jungle Fever Exotics Nursery and up the street to check out the owner's private garden.
I headed up to the garden first...
These photos were all taken from the public sidewalk, I don't know the owner well enough to ask to visit the garden proper.
That dark shape on the side of the house was a plant mount. I couldn't tell exactly what was growing on it, there were a few of them.
I'm not sure if the green-roof on the entry is intentional or accidental.
The Blue Atlas Cedar (BAC) has grown significantly since
my first visit years ago.
Great cones!
A hellstrip shot...
There are large stone steps in the hellstrip, a feature I really liked. You can hardly see them anymore.
The Tetrapanax are growing right through them.
The BAC goes on and on...
Agaves! (and BAC branches)
Genista aetnensis
That's the Genista aetnensis on the left, a towing Eucalyptus in the middle and the BAC on the right.
Nolina hibernica 'La Siberica'
A blooming Aloiampelos (aloe) striatula and Beschorneria NoID.
Aloiampelos (aloe) striatula
The puddle rock and agave (and dandelions) are at the corner where the two hellstrips meet.
Time to check out the nursery...
This photo is for my friend
Emily, if she happens to be reading.
So what did I buy? Nothing. I was tempted by this (unloved) pot, and the owner quoted me a great price. I passed it up though, realizing I didn't need another container.
I was also tempted by a
Cibotium schiedei, the Mexican tree fern, a very much NOT hardy tree fern. I was preparing to make the purchase when I realized it had a pretty significant mealy bug infestation, bummer. I left with nothing but photos...
The Bit at the End
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Good thing you noticed the mealy bugs on the tree fern. Hateful creatures that are almost impossible to get rid of. Could have been a costly mistake.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I've done the battle with mealy bugs and know just how evil they are.
DeleteGardening with abandon! I love the entrance, first photo - Jungle Fever no kidding. Always fun to go into a cool hardware store - you never know what you'll find. Can't wait for the Stumpery post. *Too bad about the infestation.
ReplyDeleteActually the infestation was a blessing in disguise, had I already bough a fairly expensive plant I probably wouldn't have stopped at the hardware store and found the other treasures.
DeleteI've always wondered if I could grow a Tetrapanax but looking at how that plant was taking over that one space makes me think it would be ill-advised...
ReplyDeleteAh come on, where's your sense of adventure?
DeleteI was surprised to read Jungle Fever Exotics is still running. It feels like The Land That Time Forgot. Good call on passing up the mealy bugs. Nasty little things. I've tossed many an infested plant over the years - so hard to get rid of an infestation once they are there.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I have not been mealy bug free. There have been several agaves that have gotten the heave-ho when I discovered the little creatures.
DeleteYears ago, I made a brief stopped at Jungle Fever. I always associate that nursery with the Outlaw Gardener. What an impressive Eucalyptus grows on the property!
ReplyDeleteChavli
Peter (the Outlaw) did work there occasionally. Or rather watched the place when the owner needed a day away.
Delete