Friday, September 4, 2026

A tropical drive-by...

If you're still on Facebook you probably see plenty of "suggested for you" posts, usually things you couldn't care less about. Recently I was shown a post from something like "Portland's Secret Places" that included a photo of a very plant-intense front garden. There was a location noted so I looked it up on Google maps and decided it was worth a drive by...

Unfortunately I picked a day with high contrast sun and shade, but let's make the most of it. We start at the far right in the photo above.

Mossy rocks!

And then...canna, ginger, colocasia, and ferns, wow!


I've got no idea what this is, but I loved the chartreuse foliage and fuzzy stems.

A few abutilon lanterns are always an interesting addition.

I couldn't get a good photo of it, but there's a Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl' in the mix (the dark foliage).

I mentioned the ginger, right? (Hedychium coccinea 'Tara'), so much ginger. I'm glad I came by when it was in bloom.

And colocasia for miles (yards doesn't sound as dramatic)...

Looking backwards...

And up, Ensete maurelii (Ensete ventricosum?).

So much big-leaf goodness!

I remembered to look down...

There were Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese umbrella pine) flanking both sides of the steps up to the front garden. They were an unexpected addition.

I spy a yellow/gold bromeliad or two up in the front garden...

Looking backwards (again).

Almost to the end now...

At the corner...

White Oleander

Erythrostemon gilliesii

At the side fence you can see an upper deck off the home, with plants of course.

A couple more shots walking back to my car...


Here are two dated screen shots from Google maps. The first is May of 2025...

And then going backwards to October of 2024, showing just how much the summer growth explodes, and then dies back before starting up again the following year. I'm going to try to remember to return a couple times to photograph the change.
The Bit at the End
Love a tropical look? Then you'll probably appreciate these leaf rugs from John Derian.

—   —   —

To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note: these are sent from a third party, their annoying ads are beyond my control. 

All material © 2009-2026 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude. 

13 comments:

  1. pineapple sage maybe for the chartreuse/fuzzy stems?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? I've grown it, but it's never gotten that large (or looked that good).

      Delete
  2. The difference between the end of 2024 to spring 2025 is mind blowing. Are all those plants hardy in Portland winters?
    Nothing is more tropical to my eyes than Erythrostemon gilliesii!
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some are, like the ginger and the canna and banana. The Ensete maurelii and colocasia are not. Oh and the Erythrostemon gilliesii is!

      Delete
  3. This was worth the trip, clearly a fellow plant lover. The long shot "almost to the end" is really nice. The comparison shots are SO great, I need to do more of those overall shots for year to year comparison. The leaf rugs, oh mama those are nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to make myself get out there and take over all photos for my year end post. I just can't wrap my head around the idea it's September.

      Delete
  4. doug ballingerSeptember 05, 2026

    awesome garden I wonder if they do any lifting for the winter, the chartreuse plant looks like Leucosceptrum japonica 'golden angel' possibly I picked one up at dancing oaks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes, you might be right about the Leucosceptrum japonica!

      Delete
  5. doug ballingerSeptember 05, 2026

    I know they must at least lift the red leaf bananas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Portland being the community it is, it turns out I know someone who knows the gardener. Here's their Instagram page with some overwintering photos: https://www.instagram.com/jeungleplants/

      Delete
  6. Checking in to see if the glitch has been resolved. My brother removed the moderation function to allow access to his blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so tired of Blogger glitches. I get so many spam comments there's no way I can removed the comment moderation...

      Delete
  7. I agree with the first comment about the chartreuse leaf/fuzzy stem thing being pineapple sage. They get huge quickly with enough water, fertilizer, and warmth. Leucosceptrum isn't that fuzzy. The seasonal change is astounding.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!