In a Vase on Monday: an unusual opportunity

A particularly wet weekend had the lower branches of our Magnolia macrophylla bending down to the point even I (at 5ft 3in) had to duck to walk under them. I had to admit it was time to at least prune the loopy bits off the main branches. The fact two of the three had big luscious flowers on them was a huge bonus and of course you know they went into a vase.

Andrew would have liked to remove the three lower branches in their entirety, I wasn't about to go for that.

The largest leaf on the bits we cut was just over 2ft long, not including the petiole.

The flowers are about 19" across.

I loved the opportunity to examine them up close, taking in the details...

And the subtle fragrance.

Their size was somewhat cartoonish, but in a good way (note the sleeping dog on the couch, she was not impressed).

This has been a very good year for flowers on the tree, it's simply covered in them. They've been opening for weeks now and there are still several in the swelling bud stage.

I'm joining up with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for Monday's In a Vase meme, click on over to see what other gardeners have created.

For my American readers I hope you'll take a moment this Memorial Day to remember those that have lost their lives in service to our country. It's so easy to get caught up in the day as a BBQ holiday that kicks off the beginning of summer. There's nothing wrong with enjoying those things, but I also want to specifically send out my appreciation to all the families that don't have their loved ones with them today, I am sorry and I thank you and your brave family members.

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

"Red Sky at Night"...favorite plants at the end of May

As assembled this post I couldn't help but hear my dad reciting the old rhyme "red sky at night, sailors' delight, red sky at morning sailors take warning" it's one of those childhood memories that takes me back...

But of course we're here to talk about plants.

I picked this beauty up at last weekend's Rare Plant Research open house and sale.

It's a pineapple, and as many plants at RPR are it was unlabeled. Still I had to have it. A little research has lead me to believe it's Ananus lucidus or Ananas lucidus 'Lava Burst'.

It is a beautiful plant, both the top and bottom of the leaves have incredible detail. Naturally it's not hardy here in Portland so it will be living the life of a container plant, winters indoors, summer on the patio. Hopefully I can give it the light it needs to stay this vibrant color.

While admiring my new purchase I got to thinking about the fact there are a few other reds in my garden that I've been appreciating...and thus my May favorites post was born. It's no secret that I have a passion for dark purple/burgundy/black foliage but now it appears red is also making it's way into my heart.

On the left is a new-to-me NOID Bromeliad, on the right is Woodwardia unigemmata. I am quite obsessed with this fern that puts out new growth in shades of red. Isn't it fabulous!?

It can get quite large too, with plants eventually reaching 2-ft tall and 5-6-ft wide. Ya, I may not have properly taken that size thing into account when I planted it.

Oh and get this, small baby ferns are produced at the leaf tips!

The Bromeliad was picked up at a private plant sale a few weeks back. Word went out that a local gardener was moving and needed to sell plants, garden art, and tools. I looked back through my photos to see if there was anything I had to have and remembered how taken I was with this plant...and it was there waiting for me, now it's mine. Score!

Next to it is that Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ I picked up earlier in the month. Now it's true purple is the dominant color but...

There are reddish tones.

This one is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and prefers part shade. It's also a slug magnet, something I've overcome so far (knocks on wood) by planting it in a container set on gravel.

The new growth on Epimedium wushanense leans to red (zones 5-9, shade).

And while Podophyllum 'Red Panda' is a little less red now...

It was redder earlier in the season (hardy to zone 7, shade, likes moist soil)

Mammillaria spinosissima 'rubrispina' (aka "Red Headed Irishman") picked up from Alison at a recent plant swap.

And the new growth on my Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...decidedly red, which will fade to a dark purple with time (zones 6-9, part shade, even moisture).

Another NOID Bromeliad, with a red blush.

And finally a couple of stressed succulents, showing their displeasure with a red face. This an unlabeled Aloe via IKEA...

And my spiky Aloe marlothii.

What plants are looking lovely in your May garden? Please tell us about them!

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

The Garden of Jeffrey Bale

It was with anticipation and curiosity that I visited the garden of Jeffrey Bale here in Portland. I've seen several photos and imagined it to be a densely planted, colorful oasis. But truth be told, I was also a little apprehensive.

This garden was on tour last summer and I heard from many people who were disappointed. I was not, disappointed.

I visited on a rainy afternoon in May, which I think might just be the perfect time. The foliage was lush and dripping, the rocks extra colorful. Last summer's tour was in August after a long, hot, dry summer.

This metal arch frames the entry.

Rusted metal acts as a screen from the neighbors yard as well as a nice backdrop.

Arachniodes simplicior ‘Variegata’ looks great against the rust, and in the rain.

On the opposite side of the entry...

Jeffrey owns two houses next door to each other, so the gardens kind of run together.

Fabulous hell-strip Yucca!

This is the path leading around to the back garden, unfortunately I cut off part of the snakes head!

I guess I should have explained that Mr. Bale is a mosaic artist, as well as a garden designer. He recently gave a talk for our local Hardy Plant Society. Since I've read his blog for awhile now I thought the talk would be a good one and it was. The images he shared were absolutely gorgeous, I could have sat there and listened to him talk of his travels and garden-making for hours. This blog post of his talks a little about his garden and some of the others he's worked on.

I honestly didn't think I would like this wall as much as I did.

I captured just an edge of the tub, on the far right. There is hot water available for cool weather bathing and a cover is placed over it to convert to a bed when the need arises. The gravel is covered with rugs when it's not raining.

There is so much to see...

Here in this garden, as when I visited the gardens of Shirley Watts, Keeyla Meadows and Marcia Donahue, the extreme ornamentation doesn't detract from the garden...it is the garden. My negative feelings about "garden art" don't apply when what's on display is the work of the garden's creator.

I'm afraid that sounds horribly nonsensical and a little snobbish but there you have it.

I was lucky enough to see inside both houses too – and while there was a lot that I'd love to share – I'll limit it to just the creative tile work in this bathroom.

Pretty fabulous no?

Back out on the front porch it's time to bid farewell, and I must admit the layers of objects and strong colors had me worried my house and garden was going to feel mighty boring by comparison...

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.