Monday, March 31, 2014

The Testa-Vought Garden, a stop on the 2013 Garden Blogger’s Fling...

This garden was the last stop on a (long, hot) Saturday of garden fun last June. We were told the garden was designed by Bernard Trainor (a little name dropping, understandable) but it was obvious from the moment we stepped foot in the garden this was also a space loved and utilized by the home owners. Of course I started snapping photos the moment we got off the bus, out on the street.

But things really got interesting once we went behind the wall…

Yes this is a walled garden, something I covet dearly.

While it starts off tame, even a little sparse...

It gradually ramps up the excitement level...

Until you come face to face with this...

Oh California...

I'm not sure the kitty shared my California love on this hot day.

Scott and Peter, they seem to have shown up in a few of my photos from the Fling.

Going through and editing these photos now, 9 months post-Fling, this image (below) filled my heart with joy. Why? I remember everything in every garden as being the very picture of perfection. Not a leaf out of place...but look! There is debris in the plant, on the gravel top dressing and the surrounding paving. My garden is going to be a stop on the Portland Fling this summer and I can say with great confidence there will be a lot more of this, and a lot less perfection. May everyone look with a forgiving (and understanding) eye.

Monster Agave attenuata!

And that banksia! I presumed to know which it was at one time, but now I'm just confused by its beauty.

Amazing.

Oh hey, here's something I can grow! Eryngium, not sure which one.

Okay it's time to leave, I've retracing my steps towards the front.

But not before I look up and spy another monster Pineapple Guava. Wow, these really are trees.

It was the bloom that gave it away.

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Elk Rock Garden

I’ve only visited this garden once before, in February 2013 when the hamamelis were in full bloom. However since they're known for their magnolia collection I figured this was a great time to return, for a second look...

They did not disappoint. Of course on a beautiful day such as this everything looks good!

I really must return again to see this wisteria in bloom.

I heard of many a loropetalum dying last winter. Their L. chinese 'Pipa's Red' seems to be fine...

Can anyone tell me what this plant is (maybe a lily? maybe a particularly leafy Paris polyphylla, nah...). I love the foliage...

Such a huge expanse of lawn, a pity they don't allow picnicking.

It's still such an usual sight I couldn't stop staring at the cloudless blue sky.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiralis'

It was quite the beauty.

I have it in my head this is a Rhododendron sinogrande, perhaps we were told that on my last visit (it was a guided tour).

Stewartia pseudocamellia, I wish you could feel this bark, so smooth...

These didn't have name signs but maybe they're Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Wissel's Saguaro'?

We briefly considered adding an Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle tree) to the garden (in the former Privet-lands), while I was thrilled at the idea we ultimately decided it just wasn't a good fit. I'll continue to enjoy them in other gardens.

Cute little ground-cover like plant, or weed? Anyone know?

Another stately monster, Taiwania cryptomerioides or Coffin Tree. Odd form...

But fabulously spiky little needles.

With colorful tips (cones?)

Finally the hamamelis which were in bloom last time, and bare this time. Maybe I'll return to see their fall color?

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.