All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Today's post brought to you by the color green...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyersii' is my favorite plant (kind of in the garden) this week…
Commonly known as the Foxtail Fern (in fact I’m hoping I’ve got the right botanical name above in the title, since my plant came unlabeled), I finally broke down and purchased one last May, at the Rare Plant Research open house. I resisted for the longest time, there was just something about this plant that made me less than a fan. However as frequently happens my opinion changed, completely!
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While I would be thrilled to plant a row of their fluffy plumes along the fence line behind the shade pavilion, that isn't going happen because they aren’t reliably hardy in my climate. Instead mine’s in a container where it can be protected from winter’s crazy temperatures. Which brings me to why it’s my fav…
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Those berries! I discovered these red and green berries when I moving things around in the shade pavilion “greenhouse” to make room for refugees from the snow and ice.
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Of course the fluffy "tails"are always a draw.
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After I was done photographing I went to tuck it back into its spot and narrowly missed touching this, a baby slug. Ugh.
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Here it is, all tucked away. Things are getting tight in the s.p. greenhouse, what with the new plants that have been following me home. Notice that sweet trunking Yucca aloifolia, another treasure from Cistus. I can’t wait to get planting!!!
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The stats on the Foxtail Fern…
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
While I would be thrilled to plant a row of their fluffy plumes along the fence line behind the shade pavilion, that isn't going happen because they aren’t reliably hardy in my climate. Instead mine’s in a container where it can be protected from winter’s crazy temperatures. Which brings me to why it’s my fav…
Those berries! I discovered these red and green berries when I moving things around in the shade pavilion “greenhouse” to make room for refugees from the snow and ice.
Of course the fluffy "tails"are always a draw.
After I was done photographing I went to tuck it back into its spot and narrowly missed touching this, a baby slug. Ugh.
Here it is, all tucked away. Things are getting tight in the s.p. greenhouse, what with the new plants that have been following me home. Notice that sweet trunking Yucca aloifolia, another treasure from Cistus. I can’t wait to get planting!!!
The stats on the Foxtail Fern…
- evergreen perennial hardy in USDA Zones 9-11
- likes average water, said to be somewhat drought tolerant
- native to South Africa where it grows in coastal areas
- white flowers in the spring
- likes sun to bright shade (mine was in almost full shade all summer and did fine)
- 1-2 ft tall and wide
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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And the winning design is...
Several people have asked what design we've decided on for our fence project. While I'm not thrilled with this overall image it is the best I can find of the horizontal style we're going with...
Why is it the winner? A few reasons. When I asked for suggestions several of you observed that often the simple solution is the best. Something easily forgotten when I'm looking at pictures of crazy creative fences. Andrew also made a great point when he mentioned he didn't want to spend a lot on a highly decorative fence that I would proceed to hide behind a bunch of plants (would I do that? of course I would!). Also, while I am fond of horizontal fences I do not care for the ones without spaces between the boards, like this...
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They look like an indoor wall, not a fence. However that said I didn't want gaps like this...
Because when I'm relaxing on the patio I don't want to see into my neighbors yard and visa versa. So the alternating "good neighbor-ish" design affords a little more privacy while still allowing for depth and texture. Lastly it kind of blends with the style currently along the back of our property, which looks like this...
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After selecting the fence style I happened upon this piece at Salvage Works. Some of you might recall I mentioned it had inspired me to put a section like it in our fence.
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What I really meant was that it got me thinking about incorporating planters into the fence. With a gap between the horizontal boards all I would have to do is create a bit of a U-shaped lip on a planter box which could slip over the board and voila! It sounds easy in my head at least. Here's the best depiction I could find online to illustrate the concept.
Sadly I stupidly saved the image without a link to where I found it, so I can't credit the source (bad blogger!) (thanks Alison). Of course the boxes will need to be light, I don't need to damage our brand new fence. Succulents in a soil mix with a lot of light pumice come to mind. Hopefully next up will be actual fence pictures!
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
 |
| (source) |
Why is it the winner? A few reasons. When I asked for suggestions several of you observed that often the simple solution is the best. Something easily forgotten when I'm looking at pictures of crazy creative fences. Andrew also made a great point when he mentioned he didn't want to spend a lot on a highly decorative fence that I would proceed to hide behind a bunch of plants (would I do that? of course I would!). Also, while I am fond of horizontal fences I do not care for the ones without spaces between the boards, like this...
They look like an indoor wall, not a fence. However that said I didn't want gaps like this...
 |
| (source) |
Because when I'm relaxing on the patio I don't want to see into my neighbors yard and visa versa. So the alternating "good neighbor-ish" design affords a little more privacy while still allowing for depth and texture. Lastly it kind of blends with the style currently along the back of our property, which looks like this...
After selecting the fence style I happened upon this piece at Salvage Works. Some of you might recall I mentioned it had inspired me to put a section like it in our fence.
What I really meant was that it got me thinking about incorporating planters into the fence. With a gap between the horizontal boards all I would have to do is create a bit of a U-shaped lip on a planter box which could slip over the board and voila! It sounds easy in my head at least. Here's the best depiction I could find online to illustrate the concept.
 |
| (source) |
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Strybing Arboretum, an early morning stop on the 2013 Garden Bloggers Fling
Saturday morning of the 2013 Garden Bloggers Fling found me, and a few dozen other bloggers, up early and at the Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park. We had registered for an optional photography class taught by Saxon Holt. While I was thrilled to learn a few pointers from such a renowned garden photographer I was also excited to visit the botanical garden again (I'd been once before, in 2009).
Being less than focused so early in the morning meant both my mind and body wandered a bit. After all a huge Leucadendron argenteum was calling to me...
Saxon pulled us deeper into the park, finding the perfect location to illustrate "filling the frame" our lesson for the morning, before setting us free to roam the garden and put the skills he'd taught us to use.
Sadly there were no carefully considered shots from me, instead I went a little plant crazy and just started shooting. For example this huge shrub stopped me cold, once I realized what it is.
Pineapple Guava, Feijoa sellowiana. It's one thing to read how big something can get, another thing entirely to see it for yourself.
One of the drawbacks of visiting the garden before they opened for the day? Working your way around the sprinklers.
I had no problem obeying this sign.
This one however? Oh so hard to stay out...
Super tall Schefflera taiwaniana?
Glowing puya...
Yes, I'd found my way to the succulent garden.
These leaves looked familiar.
Bocconia arborea, reminding me of my Bocconia frutescens back home.
By now I'd ran into my friend Peter and we'd realized we'd better start back for the front gate or risk getting left behind. I was relieved when we caught up with Kelly and Andrea, the fling organizers. We couldn't possibly miss the bus as long as we kept them in our sights.
Acnistus australis, I believe.
There is so much to see in this 55-acre garden. I'd only just scratched the surface.
I guess I'll just have to visit again...soon.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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An appetizer, of sorts
When I first attended the Yard Garden & Patio Show (in 2006) I expected it to be the type of show with roofing companies, hot tub vendors, gutter and downspout cleaners, window manufacturers, chimney sweeps, etc, right on down to the slicer and dicer crowd. I was thrilled that indeed it was a real, honest to goodness garden show. Not as big and flashy as the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle but every bit as focused. I’ve attended every year since. Yes I have opinions about how it could be better, but I still look forward to it and enjoy every minute of it. But hey, there’s another show in town, the Portland Home & Garden Show...
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Some years it seems to run consecutive with YGP, this year it ran the week prior. I’d given no thought to attending (never have), well, until several friends mentioned it. Then there was a coupon towards the entry fee, and free parking after 4pm. Oh what the heck!
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Publicity for the show was touting the fact the vendors had been rearranged this year: "One of the most anticipated attractions this year is the unveiling of the new Excellence in Landscaping area! We are moving the garden feature to the front of Hall E – with new designers, a new emphasis on plant material and flowers, new lighting effects and staging. It’s going to be gorgeous!" I'm all for getting people to think about gardening. If the new show design meant they might catch a glimpse of a cool plant in route to the rest of the show (the roofing companies, hot tub vendors, gutter and downspout cleaners, window manufacturers, chimney sweeps) then that's a good thing. I watched the people flowing in, to see if indeed they stopped to walk around the gardens. Sadly most of them did not. Maybe they circled back around later? One can hope. I do think it was a little hard on the eyes to go from the bright outdoors and lobby into the dark of the display gardens area. You were almost pulled across the hall to the light beyond (the other vendors).
Okay, but what about the gardens? Above and below was one designed by the ANLD (Assoc of NW Landscape Designers). My favorite part of this garden were the curtain pull backs, they used steel strapping tape!
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Love it. While I have no plans to incorporate curtains into my garden (no way, no how) I do think this metal tape has great possibility for a future project.
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"A Hobbit's Garden" wasn't that done last year at the Seattle show?
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There were at least two gardens with big gorgeous alocasias, passers-by just had to reach out and touch them.
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This display was my favorite over all, and it won gold from the judges too. Of course the horrid lighting made getting a good photo pretty much impossible.
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Right about here I discovered a peculiar theme.
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Do you see it too? Gardens for cars!
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This I love...
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Outdoor showers are all the range in the magazines. I've never really gotten the appeal. Showers are meant to be quick and efficient, where as baths are for relaxing. Relaxing in the garden is always a good thing. If I had a private garden space this would be wonderful.
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Where to go to see blooming helebores and aloes together? A garden show display garden, of course!
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I kind of liked this corner, there was a small fire pit in front of those chairs but that was it. No monster outdoor kitchen or fake waterfall. Just a place outside for enjoying being outside.
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That's it for the display gardens, next up I went in search of the plant market. I'd heard there were plants for sale but they were nowhere to be seen. Ah, turns out they were at the complete opposite end of the show, two exhibition hall lengths away. Interesting.
The first thing that caught my eye were enormous piles of eremurus roots. I love the flowers but haven't had great luck with them. Working in the garden the next day I discovered mine are already coming up, maybe I'll get flowers this year!
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The N&M Nursery booth. These ladies are fixtures at all the spring garden shows, I hope they sold several alocasias here.
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Loveable and huggable! Am I ready to take a chance on another Acacia cognata? Maybe another time.
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An new (to me) name! Turns out they have a retail location, how have I not heard of them before now?
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Definitely going to have to check them out.
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There was also a large orchid show and sale, lots and lots of people fawning over the admittedly gorgeous blooms. I managed to avoid the purchase.
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Time to get on my way, I traced my steps back towards the exit, past the hot tub display, when something crazy caught my eye. Yes, there really was a person swimming, right there in the AquaTrainer14fX. Oh what will they think of next? Next, that reminds me...next is the real plant and garden deal, the Yard, Garden & Patio Show! This coming weekend at the Oregon Convention Center! Details here...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Some years it seems to run consecutive with YGP, this year it ran the week prior. I’d given no thought to attending (never have), well, until several friends mentioned it. Then there was a coupon towards the entry fee, and free parking after 4pm. Oh what the heck!
Publicity for the show was touting the fact the vendors had been rearranged this year: "One of the most anticipated attractions this year is the unveiling of the new Excellence in Landscaping area! We are moving the garden feature to the front of Hall E – with new designers, a new emphasis on plant material and flowers, new lighting effects and staging. It’s going to be gorgeous!" I'm all for getting people to think about gardening. If the new show design meant they might catch a glimpse of a cool plant in route to the rest of the show (the roofing companies, hot tub vendors, gutter and downspout cleaners, window manufacturers, chimney sweeps) then that's a good thing. I watched the people flowing in, to see if indeed they stopped to walk around the gardens. Sadly most of them did not. Maybe they circled back around later? One can hope. I do think it was a little hard on the eyes to go from the bright outdoors and lobby into the dark of the display gardens area. You were almost pulled across the hall to the light beyond (the other vendors).
Okay, but what about the gardens? Above and below was one designed by the ANLD (Assoc of NW Landscape Designers). My favorite part of this garden were the curtain pull backs, they used steel strapping tape!
Love it. While I have no plans to incorporate curtains into my garden (no way, no how) I do think this metal tape has great possibility for a future project.
"A Hobbit's Garden" wasn't that done last year at the Seattle show?
There were at least two gardens with big gorgeous alocasias, passers-by just had to reach out and touch them.
This display was my favorite over all, and it won gold from the judges too. Of course the horrid lighting made getting a good photo pretty much impossible.
Right about here I discovered a peculiar theme.
Do you see it too? Gardens for cars!
This I love...
Outdoor showers are all the range in the magazines. I've never really gotten the appeal. Showers are meant to be quick and efficient, where as baths are for relaxing. Relaxing in the garden is always a good thing. If I had a private garden space this would be wonderful.
Where to go to see blooming helebores and aloes together? A garden show display garden, of course!
I kind of liked this corner, there was a small fire pit in front of those chairs but that was it. No monster outdoor kitchen or fake waterfall. Just a place outside for enjoying being outside.
That's it for the display gardens, next up I went in search of the plant market. I'd heard there were plants for sale but they were nowhere to be seen. Ah, turns out they were at the complete opposite end of the show, two exhibition hall lengths away. Interesting.
The first thing that caught my eye were enormous piles of eremurus roots. I love the flowers but haven't had great luck with them. Working in the garden the next day I discovered mine are already coming up, maybe I'll get flowers this year!
The N&M Nursery booth. These ladies are fixtures at all the spring garden shows, I hope they sold several alocasias here.
Loveable and huggable! Am I ready to take a chance on another Acacia cognata? Maybe another time.
An new (to me) name! Turns out they have a retail location, how have I not heard of them before now?
Definitely going to have to check them out.
There was also a large orchid show and sale, lots and lots of people fawning over the admittedly gorgeous blooms. I managed to avoid the purchase.
Time to get on my way, I traced my steps back towards the exit, past the hot tub display, when something crazy caught my eye. Yes, there really was a person swimming, right there in the AquaTrainer14fX. Oh what will they think of next? Next, that reminds me...next is the real plant and garden deal, the Yard, Garden & Patio Show! This coming weekend at the Oregon Convention Center! Details here...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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More from the sidewalks of NE Portland...
The vintage stock tank catches my eye every time I pass by...
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This time however it was the fence that jumped out at me, after all I’ve been on a bit of a fence finding mission.
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I like it!
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And the vintage stock tanks.
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These trachycarpus are so lush.
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There are 3 of them planted in a row and somehow they’ve kept their lower leaves, usually with a trunk that size the lower leaves would have yellowed and been removed by now.
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Not my style, but it always makes me smile.
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Another fence (and a much greyer day)…
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This one has me scratching my head. What’s with the tilted wire cut-outs?
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I don’t get it! Why the tilt?
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Here’s a follow up on a post from last December.
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The fifteen agaves and an opuntia are all looking pretty sad.
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I had to counter that with a happy agave, in my next-door neighbor’s garden.
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I drive by this palm all the time and I’ve never seen any winter protection around it. Yet it always looks good.
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I’m sure you palm fans can tell me what it is and if it should look this good after snow, ice and temperatures in the low teens.
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Yikes! This is not good. It was much more dramatic in person; the tree in the front actually goes out of frame to rest on the top of the neighbor’s house.
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Windy nights keep me awake picturing scenes just like this involving the two towering Dour Fir trees looming over our house.
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
This time however it was the fence that jumped out at me, after all I’ve been on a bit of a fence finding mission.
I like it!
And the vintage stock tanks.
These trachycarpus are so lush.
There are 3 of them planted in a row and somehow they’ve kept their lower leaves, usually with a trunk that size the lower leaves would have yellowed and been removed by now.
Not my style, but it always makes me smile.
Another fence (and a much greyer day)…
This one has me scratching my head. What’s with the tilted wire cut-outs?
I don’t get it! Why the tilt?
Here’s a follow up on a post from last December.
The fifteen agaves and an opuntia are all looking pretty sad.
I had to counter that with a happy agave, in my next-door neighbor’s garden.
I drive by this palm all the time and I’ve never seen any winter protection around it. Yet it always looks good.
I’m sure you palm fans can tell me what it is and if it should look this good after snow, ice and temperatures in the low teens.
Yikes! This is not good. It was much more dramatic in person; the tree in the front actually goes out of frame to rest on the top of the neighbor’s house.
Windy nights keep me awake picturing scenes just like this involving the two towering Dour Fir trees looming over our house.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Agave bracteosa is my favorite plant in the garden, this week...
It’s kind of a tortured looking little thing to be a favorite, right?
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Yes...it is, but I also thought it was dead and it turns out that it's not, so that's what I'm celebrating. This nice-sized Agave bracteosa went in the ground in the spring of 2012. It did great for the first few months but then sort of flopped over and proceeded to look awful. Last I checked on it I was sure it was doomed, the center leaves pulled right out. Then (I'm embarrassed to admit) I kind of forgot about it. A combination of Acnistus australis, Yucca Bright Star and Banksia marginata grew faster and stronger and buried it. I wasn't until 2 out of the 3 died back that I rediscovered the Agave, and the fact it had pushed out an entirely new center.
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How cool is that? I'm going to have to figure out a way to do right by this little survivor and make sure it can power on.
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This is my best looking Agave bracteosa in the ground.
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In fact, from what I've seen, these are one of the best "in-ground" agaves here in Portland.
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Here's where I hijack this "fav" post to share my latest agave sadness. My biggest and most beautiful Agave americana, the focal point when you approach my garden from the south....
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Is showing it's reaction to our very cold and wet winter. The center new growth "cone" is soft and discolored. This is not good. Not good at all.
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The other oldest/2nd largest has lost several leaves (or arms, as I like to call them). You can see the latest amputation here. The soft discolored bits are surrounding the center of the plant, and I'm worried. I know these aren't the hardiest agaves but they were gift pups that had grown tired of the containerized life. It was all a grand and wonderful experiment while it lasted, of course I wanted it to go on forever...
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Okay on to the stats on the much more reliable Agave bracteosa…
What's your favorite plant in the garden this week?
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Yes...it is, but I also thought it was dead and it turns out that it's not, so that's what I'm celebrating. This nice-sized Agave bracteosa went in the ground in the spring of 2012. It did great for the first few months but then sort of flopped over and proceeded to look awful. Last I checked on it I was sure it was doomed, the center leaves pulled right out. Then (I'm embarrassed to admit) I kind of forgot about it. A combination of Acnistus australis, Yucca Bright Star and Banksia marginata grew faster and stronger and buried it. I wasn't until 2 out of the 3 died back that I rediscovered the Agave, and the fact it had pushed out an entirely new center.
How cool is that? I'm going to have to figure out a way to do right by this little survivor and make sure it can power on.
This is my best looking Agave bracteosa in the ground.
In fact, from what I've seen, these are one of the best "in-ground" agaves here in Portland.
Here's where I hijack this "fav" post to share my latest agave sadness. My biggest and most beautiful Agave americana, the focal point when you approach my garden from the south....
Is showing it's reaction to our very cold and wet winter. The center new growth "cone" is soft and discolored. This is not good. Not good at all.
The other oldest/2nd largest has lost several leaves (or arms, as I like to call them). You can see the latest amputation here. The soft discolored bits are surrounding the center of the plant, and I'm worried. I know these aren't the hardiest agaves but they were gift pups that had grown tired of the containerized life. It was all a grand and wonderful experiment while it lasted, of course I wanted it to go on forever...
Okay on to the stats on the much more reliable Agave bracteosa…
- wants full sun with little water (that means good drainage for those of us "blessed" with lots of rain)
- can grow to be 2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
- hardy to 10-15 degrees F (lower when kept dry)
- and most importantly (for some people) this agave has no terminal spikes or teeth along the leaf margins. It’s an agave that won’t bite!
What's your favorite plant in the garden this week?
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Weeds and wonder…
We have no kids, yet Weeds Find a Way is the second children’s book I’ve been offered for review. Why do I say yes? Because I adore illustrated books for kids, so much so I spent far too long pouring over this list of 8 “picture books” up for the 76th Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American children's book of 2013. I wanted to order them all!
Weeds Find a Way (words by Cindy Jenson-Elliott and pictures by Carolyn Fisher) is a richly illustrated book which should ignite a little wonder in any person (young or old) who is lucky enough to open its cover.
Since weeds are all around us how better to entice a young person to the beauty of nature? I think this book would make a great gift for a kid without gardening parents. If they start noticing the differences in the weeds around them, and paying attention to their blooms and seeds, perhaps there just might be a lifelong fire lit for the appreciation of all plants?
The final four pages of the book ("Meet the Weeds") seem to be directed at a much older audience, the words more educational. Perhaps this section is intended as a teaching guide for both the parents and the children?
From that section: “So go outside. Look around. You don’t need a garden to know that nature is at work. Chances are, wherever you stand, a weed is nearby, working its way through the soil, finding a way to live and bloom, adapt and grow in tough times and desolate places, making the world more beautiful one blossom at a time.”
My husband Andrew is fond of saying “First have wonder, then make wonder” to describe his approach to artwork. He finds wonder in the natural world and the way people interact with it, and then translates this wonder into artwork. He began working on a new series of drawings about the same time I received Weeds Find a Way. I find his approach and the message in the book to be very similar, and inspiring. His latest drawings and a couple of books are destined for our niece and nephew in California.
The topic of his work is the mystery of what lies under the water’s surface. The 3-D drawing pictured below is a depiction of a ship on the surface of the water, a long line down into the depths and a diving ball (bathysphere) with a window allowing the occupants to see out into the depths around them swarming with deep sea life.
There are other drawings and cut outs designed to perk up curious little minds.
This shark is meant to be mounted on a car window, his open mouth eating the cars and houses as you drive by...
A primitive jawless fish, How did it chew its food? How did it show its mood? Did the other primitive fishes think it shallow or rude?
Fishes or weeds, dangerous gardening, or a tiger that decides the civilized life isn't all it’s cracked up to be I hope you'll take the opportunity to pick up an illustrated children's book and get lost for a minute in the wonder...(it's almost as fun as getting lost in the garden)....
Weeds Find a Way was sent to me free-of charge by the publisher and marketing firm, I was under no obligation to write about it, or my husband's artwork.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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2014 Yard, Garden & Patio Show, the Showcase Gardens...
Since I missed out on Seattle’s Northwest Flower & Garden Show earlier in the month I had a heightened level of excitement about this year’s YGP. As always there were things I liked, things I loathed and the best part was the people. Peter (the Outlaw) and Alison (Bonney Lassie) came down from Tacoma to see the show; it was the first time for both of them. Hearing their take on it reminded me that indeed our show is the less glamorous of the two; the NWFG Show is run by O'Loughlin Trade Shows, “The West's Largest Promoter of Consumer Trade Shows.” While ours is run by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, “a non-profit trade association representing nursery stock producers, retailers, landscapers and related companies.” Go OAN!
I’m going to start my review of this year's show with the showcase gardens, and instead of just going garden by garden I’m going to mix them up, sharing the highlights, things that made me cringe and other observations. Let’s start with the good stuff!
I loved loved loved these short orange walls...
Made me think all over again about painting the wall around our patio the same orange as our shade pavilion...
Loved this structure (there are more structures to come) but mainly the metal chain curtain that surrounds the back and side.
These two ladies sat here talking forever. I walked by, came back around later and they were still there. I guess this garden must work because even in the middle of the convention center they were perfectly comfortable hanging out and chatting. I almost wanted to bring them coffee.
I loved this wall and key-hole cut out entry.
And the wire bench, oh and of course the Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle tree)
As you know I'm not a fan of garden art, nor the idea that you need a "Water Feature" in your garden. This one I liked however.
I also loved the wide open spaces of some of the showcase gardens. At the NWFG Show you can't even step into most of the gardens, those that you can have you following a strict path. Many of these gardens allowed you to walk through in any manner you saw fit.
Talk about interactive, the floor of this garden was crunchy and aromatic. Loved it!
The moss covered hideway (I really don't want to call it a hobbit home) was also pretty fun. I could almost overlook the tires. Almost.
The hand-carved door had many admirers...
And almost all had to open it to see what was inside...
There is an idea here. I use grey bricks laid flush end-to-end to edge our small patch of lawn, I'm envisioning a raised section with bricks along the edges, wedding cake style. An agave tower! (okay no not really, but there is an idea here, somewhere...)
I despise fairy gardens, as a friend recently said it's just an excuse to sell small "made in china tchotchkes." Well this little scene was dangerously close (in proximity) to a fairy garden and may well have been part of it but it still caught my eye and had me smiling. I don't know why exactly except I do love the concrete pipes and architectural fragments in the background. There were lots of details to absorb.
Okay, that's the good. Time for the bad. The very very bad....
A huge topped tree? Why? Why not bring in a tree that's big, but can actually fit inside the the hall without being whacked back?
And more bad right around the corner...
Pseudopanax x 'Sabre', half dead and unceremoniously chopped. Why would you include these in your display garden? Honestly when I first saw the tree and these I thought the garden was some sort of parody, "what not to do"...
This pile of crisp white towels also had me asking why. Turns out they were laying on a massage table, of course everyone needs a massage table right above their waterfall!
Tags on plants in the garden...just say no. Signs yes, in a display garden people what to know what things are, but take off the nursery tags!
My issue with this image isn't it alone. It's that this garden seemed designed to check off all the clichés. Artwork, check.
Meditation garden, check. Raised wood deck, check.
Wall fountain, check. Within a small space they included everything but the fire...
Which brings me to the next section, a few observations about trends in the gardens. There were many instances of fire and water combined.
This was the most successful (in my opinion, of course everything here is just my opinion)...I love the simplicity and repetition...
This one, oh my! Was this fireplace removed from a home and re-purposed as a water feature? And look at the water, murky, muddy...kind gives me the creeps.
Structures, there were a lot of structures in the gardens. I liked this one, it's walls made of old windows with a corrugated roof...
This one didn't do much for me as-is, but did get my mind thinking about a suggestion a friend made to hide the ugly two-color backside of our neighbors garage, "build a corner structure" he said. Could be cool.
This little greenhouse was pretty sweet.
As was this chicken coup.
Just a couple more things I need to share, this lengthy post is almost over! Moss on tables, it might freak out some people but I loved it.
A wonderful green tableau...
In another garden there were moss place-mats! Oh and can you imagine giving your guests their salad still planted? This made me chuckle.
On the same table is our first sighting of pipes and plumbing parts. Here they were used to make candlesticks...
In another garden they combine with a stock tank to make a hybrid water feature.
So that's a wrap, the showcase gardens at the 2014 YGP Show. What were your favorites? Hates? Ideas to steal? I'll share more from the show later in the week...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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↧
Signs of Spring
Here we are, already March 4th! While spring certainly feels like it is a long ways away (a possibility of snow and ice here in Portland this last weekend and temps turned chilly) I’m rejoicing in the few signs of life I've recently discovered. For me reaching March is a mental milestone, it just gets better from here!
Every year the Veratrum californicum are the first thing to push out of the ground (I grow no daffodils, tulips or crocus). I think last year there were only two, so three is fabulous!
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The Eremurus is also bulking up, hopefully at least a couple will have blooms.
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There are also signs of spring in my basement (how many people can say that?)! One cold night in January I left my Bocconia frutescens outside, temps got much lower than predicted. The foliage was toast and perhaps the plant too (only hardy to 25-30F, and that’s when it’s in the ground). I chopped it back and stuck it in the basement. Look!
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Lots of new growth…
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The Erythrina crista-galli (Cockspur Coral Tree) has been in the basement too, I cut it back last fall when it went dormant and just hoped to keep the plant alive. Looks like it is!
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One more basement oddball. I stuffed this container of Canna tubers on the bottom shelf in December, before the super cold temps, just hoping to keep it from freezing. Then I forgot about it…oh spring, hurry up!
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Every year the Veratrum californicum are the first thing to push out of the ground (I grow no daffodils, tulips or crocus). I think last year there were only two, so three is fabulous!
The Eremurus is also bulking up, hopefully at least a couple will have blooms.
There are also signs of spring in my basement (how many people can say that?)! One cold night in January I left my Bocconia frutescens outside, temps got much lower than predicted. The foliage was toast and perhaps the plant too (only hardy to 25-30F, and that’s when it’s in the ground). I chopped it back and stuck it in the basement. Look!
Lots of new growth…
The Erythrina crista-galli (Cockspur Coral Tree) has been in the basement too, I cut it back last fall when it went dormant and just hoped to keep the plant alive. Looks like it is!
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One more basement oddball. I stuffed this container of Canna tubers on the bottom shelf in December, before the super cold temps, just hoping to keep it from freezing. Then I forgot about it…oh spring, hurry up!
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Rhododendron lust
I happened by Cornell Farms last week, you know…one has to keep up on the latest at all the local nurseries. It was a terribly windy day, a bit rainy and quite cold, this never stops me from visiting the outdoor tables but I do prefer the covered spaces under those circumstances. Once inside I came upon this table of Rhododendron goodness...
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I can’t guess how large this Rhododendron sinogrande looks to you, I wonder does it look as big as it really was (huge)?
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Here’s my thumb for scale…
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If I didn’t already own a struggling little plant I might have been tempted to scoop this one up, “only” $49.99! (okay I kid, I wouldn't be spending fifty bucks on this, but a girl can dream)
Oh the indumentum! Rhododendron pachysanthum…
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I would have made the purchase ( $26.99) but for this...mention of pink flowers.
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Pink flowers with that coppery indumentum? No.
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So that was all on Tuesday, then I visited the Yard Garden & Patio Show on Friday. At the show I came face to face with this beauty (Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl') at the Gossler Farms booth in the "Remarkable Green Market" ...
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Back in March 2013 I took the photo below of a Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl' in a friend's garden, and posted it along with several others. At the time I wrote "If I were to buy another Rhododendron (and I'm not) this might be the one..."
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Well I bought it, of course I did, pink/purple flowers be damned! Just look at those luscious (dark) leaves...I can pick off the flowers right?
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Tomorrow I'll share what else I bought at the show...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I can’t guess how large this Rhododendron sinogrande looks to you, I wonder does it look as big as it really was (huge)?
Here’s my thumb for scale…
If I didn’t already own a struggling little plant I might have been tempted to scoop this one up, “only” $49.99! (okay I kid, I wouldn't be spending fifty bucks on this, but a girl can dream)
Oh the indumentum! Rhododendron pachysanthum…
I would have made the purchase ( $26.99) but for this...mention of pink flowers.
Pink flowers with that coppery indumentum? No.
So that was all on Tuesday, then I visited the Yard Garden & Patio Show on Friday. At the show I came face to face with this beauty (Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl') at the Gossler Farms booth in the "Remarkable Green Market" ...
Back in March 2013 I took the photo below of a Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl' in a friend's garden, and posted it along with several others. At the time I wrote "If I were to buy another Rhododendron (and I'm not) this might be the one..."
Well I bought it, of course I did, pink/purple flowers be damned! Just look at those luscious (dark) leaves...I can pick off the flowers right?
Tomorrow I'll share what else I bought at the show...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
↧
More from the Yard, Garden & Patio Show…
Upon entering the YGP Show the first place I usually head is the Bauman Farms booth. It seems they've always got some fabulous succulent selling at an incredible price.
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This year they hauled in the planted table from their nursery (see it on site here)...
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And did up a creative wavy succulent backdrop...
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I was a little in love with this Larix kaempferi ‘Diana’ (Contorted Japanese Larch)...
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The Dennis' Seven Dees booth was well done (yes I can say that even though there were FAKE plants)...
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Because there were also lots of real ones.
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And I really wanted the fabric they used throughout the booth. Sadly they bought it retail last year, probably not available any longer...
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N&M Nursery had Salvia Clevelandii, however I discovered it's nothing like the 'Alpine' form for fragrance, accept no substitute!
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They also had nice sized (although you can't tell from this picture) Aloe vera and small Begonia luxurians for only $6 (on the left). I meant to go back an buy one of those. Darn.
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In the Cracked Pots/garden art area this huge dragon was keeping an eye on all that passed by.
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For only $5,300 it could be yours...
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Little Prince of Oregon always has a colorful and crisp little booth. Excellent placement too, right next to the parcel check station.
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For some reason that I can't quite explain these pieces caught my eye...
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No I didn't buy one, don't want one, but I guess they reminded me of a thrift shop version of the rondels often used in the doors of stately craftsmen homes.
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Look familiar? The curtains from the ANLD garden at the Home & Garden Show were re-purposed here (thank you lady in matching shirt for walking by at just the right moment)...
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No fabulous steel strapping tape pull-backs however.
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So finally, we're in the plant sales section where local nurseries are able to fill up tables with plants without having to trick out full sized booth. The Dancing Oaks table had some gorgeous trillium...
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Small ones were going for $14.00, so far I haven't caught the bug.
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The Cistus table. I really wanted that dasylirion front and center top. No I didn't need it, but it was spiky perfection.
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There were a handful of Pittosporum patulum available. I've got one in my garden (thanks to the generosity of Mr. Hogan) but since my plant didn't come with a tag I thought I'd read up on it. As I was doing so a lady picked up one of the plants (it's the tiny dark thin-leaved plant - out of focus, on the right, two images down), they couldn't be more than 5-7" tall. She read 10ft tall (out loud) made a pffft sound and sat it down. I said "but I think that's a long time coming," she looked at me, wagged her finger and said "but it will come, and that you must remember"...wow. I don't think I will ever have that kind of future-vision (and thank god).
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I almost grabbed this Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'...
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Probably should have, thankfully I can make the trip out to Cistus anytime.
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As I was trying to (unsuccessfully) focus on this abutilon bloom another shopper warned me that hers had died over the winter. We both agreed they were worth replacing...
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So once again here I am at the Gossler Farms table with my object of adoration, the Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...what a beauty, I am so glad I grabbed it!
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My other purchases both came from the Bauman Farms booth. An Agave americana, cuz it was big and fabulous and only $12.99. And they had a special going (buy one get one) on echeveria so I bought two E. 'Perle Von Nürnberg' for only $6.99.
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I didn't plan to be so thrifty with my purchases, I kind of thought I might go a little over the top. Uhm...I guess this means I've got some ground to make up in the coming weeks...
![]()
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
This year they hauled in the planted table from their nursery (see it on site here)...
And did up a creative wavy succulent backdrop...
I was a little in love with this Larix kaempferi ‘Diana’ (Contorted Japanese Larch)...
The Dennis' Seven Dees booth was well done (yes I can say that even though there were FAKE plants)...
Because there were also lots of real ones.
And I really wanted the fabric they used throughout the booth. Sadly they bought it retail last year, probably not available any longer...
N&M Nursery had Salvia Clevelandii, however I discovered it's nothing like the 'Alpine' form for fragrance, accept no substitute!
They also had nice sized (although you can't tell from this picture) Aloe vera and small Begonia luxurians for only $6 (on the left). I meant to go back an buy one of those. Darn.
In the Cracked Pots/garden art area this huge dragon was keeping an eye on all that passed by.
For only $5,300 it could be yours...
Little Prince of Oregon always has a colorful and crisp little booth. Excellent placement too, right next to the parcel check station.
For some reason that I can't quite explain these pieces caught my eye...
No I didn't buy one, don't want one, but I guess they reminded me of a thrift shop version of the rondels often used in the doors of stately craftsmen homes.
Look familiar? The curtains from the ANLD garden at the Home & Garden Show were re-purposed here (thank you lady in matching shirt for walking by at just the right moment)...
No fabulous steel strapping tape pull-backs however.
So finally, we're in the plant sales section where local nurseries are able to fill up tables with plants without having to trick out full sized booth. The Dancing Oaks table had some gorgeous trillium...
Small ones were going for $14.00, so far I haven't caught the bug.
The Cistus table. I really wanted that dasylirion front and center top. No I didn't need it, but it was spiky perfection.
There were a handful of Pittosporum patulum available. I've got one in my garden (thanks to the generosity of Mr. Hogan) but since my plant didn't come with a tag I thought I'd read up on it. As I was doing so a lady picked up one of the plants (it's the tiny dark thin-leaved plant - out of focus, on the right, two images down), they couldn't be more than 5-7" tall. She read 10ft tall (out loud) made a pffft sound and sat it down. I said "but I think that's a long time coming," she looked at me, wagged her finger and said "but it will come, and that you must remember"...wow. I don't think I will ever have that kind of future-vision (and thank god).
I almost grabbed this Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'...
Probably should have, thankfully I can make the trip out to Cistus anytime.
As I was trying to (unsuccessfully) focus on this abutilon bloom another shopper warned me that hers had died over the winter. We both agreed they were worth replacing...
So once again here I am at the Gossler Farms table with my object of adoration, the Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...what a beauty, I am so glad I grabbed it!
My other purchases both came from the Bauman Farms booth. An Agave americana, cuz it was big and fabulous and only $12.99. And they had a special going (buy one get one) on echeveria so I bought two E. 'Perle Von Nürnberg' for only $6.99.
I didn't plan to be so thrifty with my purchases, I kind of thought I might go a little over the top. Uhm...I guess this means I've got some ground to make up in the coming weeks...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
↧
A bright evergreen trio, my favorite plants in the garden, this week…
It’s time to tie-up some loose-ends. I took these photos a while back intending to feature them as favs, but then something better (bigger, flashier) would catch my eye and they were pushed aside. With spring coming lots things are going to start shouting for my attentions so I wanted to feature these tiny wonders before it’s too late. Fist up a pair of polypodium, P. scouleri…
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And P. guttatum…
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These small ferns were planted last spring, here’s the P. scouleri newly purchased…
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As the surrounding ferns, hosta and rodgersia grew they became hidden from view, revealing themselves only in late fall when the others disappeared. They offer a bright green respite from all the bare soil. I need to plant more of both! Polypodium scouleri...
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P. scouleri, description from Cistus Nursery…
One of the loveliest West Coast ferns, often seen growing on sea stacks or the occasional jagged arm of an ancient redwood along the coast. The 8-10", shiny evergreen fronds form clumps and slowly spread. Perfect for the garden understory, wall planting, yes, even your first green wall. Very summer drought tolerant but growth can be increased with summer moisture. Surprisingly frost hardy, to 0F, USDA zone 7. As yet rare in cultivation.
Polypodium guttatum...
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P. guttatum, description from Xera Plants…
Small clumping evergreen fern with deeply incised rounded leaves that offer a stupendous texture for deep shade to shade. Spreading tightly it will form upright colonies in time. Curiously the leaves are held completely perpendicular- a fine effect. To 20’ tall in time and spreading at a moderate pace to form colonies several feet across. A charming and unusual fern. Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Dryopteracae
My third fav is a small perennial which I tend to have a love/hate relationship with (a tiny bit of it snuck into the Polypodium guttatum photo above). Right now we’re in the love phase…
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In my experience Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' tends to either look really good, or really bad. Last spring while revamping the former hydrangea bed (now schefflera land) I came really close to getting rid of a whole bunch of it. Instead I replanted it all in the stock tank with the tetrapanax, thinking it would make a nice ground cover if it filled in. It’s got a ways to go but is looking good.
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Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', descrption from Secret Garden Growers…
Versatile evergreen groundcover with upright, narrow, golden striped, grassy foliage to 12" - Slow spreading mat is a great choice to brighten a dark part of the woodland garden…also happy streamside or even submerged in a pond! Acorus prefers a moist to wet site...the spot where everything else dies!
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What's your favorite plant in your garden this week?
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
And P. guttatum…
These small ferns were planted last spring, here’s the P. scouleri newly purchased…
As the surrounding ferns, hosta and rodgersia grew they became hidden from view, revealing themselves only in late fall when the others disappeared. They offer a bright green respite from all the bare soil. I need to plant more of both! Polypodium scouleri...
P. scouleri, description from Cistus Nursery…
One of the loveliest West Coast ferns, often seen growing on sea stacks or the occasional jagged arm of an ancient redwood along the coast. The 8-10", shiny evergreen fronds form clumps and slowly spread. Perfect for the garden understory, wall planting, yes, even your first green wall. Very summer drought tolerant but growth can be increased with summer moisture. Surprisingly frost hardy, to 0F, USDA zone 7. As yet rare in cultivation.
Polypodium guttatum...
P. guttatum, description from Xera Plants…
Small clumping evergreen fern with deeply incised rounded leaves that offer a stupendous texture for deep shade to shade. Spreading tightly it will form upright colonies in time. Curiously the leaves are held completely perpendicular- a fine effect. To 20’ tall in time and spreading at a moderate pace to form colonies several feet across. A charming and unusual fern. Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Dryopteracae
My third fav is a small perennial which I tend to have a love/hate relationship with (a tiny bit of it snuck into the Polypodium guttatum photo above). Right now we’re in the love phase…
In my experience Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' tends to either look really good, or really bad. Last spring while revamping the former hydrangea bed (now schefflera land) I came really close to getting rid of a whole bunch of it. Instead I replanted it all in the stock tank with the tetrapanax, thinking it would make a nice ground cover if it filled in. It’s got a ways to go but is looking good.
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', descrption from Secret Garden Growers…
Versatile evergreen groundcover with upright, narrow, golden striped, grassy foliage to 12" - Slow spreading mat is a great choice to brighten a dark part of the woodland garden…also happy streamside or even submerged in a pond! Acorus prefers a moist to wet site...the spot where everything else dies!
What's your favorite plant in your garden this week?
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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The monster agave, it’s still looking good…
I finally remembered to drive by my favorite monster agave, previously featured here and here. Knowing it has been through other severe cold and snow events over the years I figured it would probably be okay, but an in person confirmation was needed…
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Looking good! There are signs the owners have already been out cleaning up the garden, everything looks so tidy. Lots of new containers line the stairway.
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Oh those agaves…
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Perhaps this year I’ll remember to return for a high summer visit.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Looking good! There are signs the owners have already been out cleaning up the garden, everything looks so tidy. Lots of new containers line the stairway.
Oh those agaves…
Perhaps this year I’ll remember to return for a high summer visit.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
↧
Hammer + Vine
During my quick stop at the Home & Garden Show a couple weeks back you might recall I discovered a new-to-me shop, Hammer + Vine. I recently visited their retail location...
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Their spot reminds me a lot of the places I used to frequent when I lived in Seattle and didn't have a car. Small urban locations, many times tucked into unexpected spaces and without parking lots.
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I didn't get a chance to ask how long they've been here, but the shop certainly is nicely designed and full of treasures.
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***swoon***
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These windows look out on a light well, the shop is in the basement of an old brick apartment building. The mister in the corner is keeping air nice and moist.
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These are happy plants!
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Yikes, I cut off the label on this one, Drosera spatulata (spoon-leaved sundew)
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Look at the size of that tillandsia!
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And that one...
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This was my favorite, sadly it was not for sale...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Their spot reminds me a lot of the places I used to frequent when I lived in Seattle and didn't have a car. Small urban locations, many times tucked into unexpected spaces and without parking lots.
I didn't get a chance to ask how long they've been here, but the shop certainly is nicely designed and full of treasures.
***swoon***
These windows look out on a light well, the shop is in the basement of an old brick apartment building. The mister in the corner is keeping air nice and moist.
These are happy plants!
Yikes, I cut off the label on this one, Drosera spatulata (spoon-leaved sundew)
Look at the size of that tillandsia!
And that one...
This was my favorite, sadly it was not for sale...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
↧
My favorite thing in the garden this week, well, it's our new fence…
Many garden design books will tell you the bones of the garden (meaning hardscape) are much more important than the plants, of course we all know they're crazy, those kind of books aren't written by the hard-core plant lovers. However there is no denying structure is important, with a good framework in place the plants are allowed to shine. With that in mind I've bumped the "plant" right out of my favorite feature this week and I'm shining that spotlight on our new fence...
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I just absolutely love it!
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Or I suppose I should say "them" since there are two sections, on the north and south side of our back garden...
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I took most of these shots the day after they finished the work, when the sun came out. Sadly while they were working there was no sun, only rain, rain and more rain. Hence when they finished there was mud, mud and more mud...everywhere.
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This shot is to show that if you get close enough you can indeed see through the slats a bit, but from under the shade pavilion and on the patio (see photos above), the places where we sit and relax, it's a solid fence with complete privacy.
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Did I mention there was some mud?
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So what's your favorite plant (or thing) in your garden this week?
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I just absolutely love it!
Or I suppose I should say "them" since there are two sections, on the north and south side of our back garden...
I took most of these shots the day after they finished the work, when the sun came out. Sadly while they were working there was no sun, only rain, rain and more rain. Hence when they finished there was mud, mud and more mud...everywhere.
This shot is to show that if you get close enough you can indeed see through the slats a bit, but from under the shade pavilion and on the patio (see photos above), the places where we sit and relax, it's a solid fence with complete privacy.
Did I mention there was some mud?
So what's your favorite plant (or thing) in your garden this week?
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
↧
Five years, Five times a week (+) = 1,400
I started this blog five years ago today.
I’m sure there as many reasons to start a blog as there are bloggers. Me? It all came down to a day-job I was unhappy with and an opportunity to do something personally meaningful. My boss called it guerilla marketing. The concept was that by blogging on topics we were personally passionate about (and occasionally mentioning the company and linking to its website) we would in turn draw-in potential clients. Did it work? No, not really.
Out of that insipid beginning came danger garden, something I am proud of. Something that has introduced me to more interesting plant people than I would have ever dreamed possible, led to many important friendships and even a earned me a couple of professional opportunities.
In those first days I was so energized by this new creative outlet I posted every day, well every weekday. Our only home computer died the same week I started the blog, I had no choice but to blog at work, thank god it was a company sanctioned activity (of course I don’t think they realized just how much time I spent doing it!). I had no goals in mind for danger garden when I began writing, and as I’ve mentioned previously I was pretty sure I’d run out of topics to cover in a month or two, yet 1,400 posts later and somehow I still haven’t come to the end.
Somewhere along the way posting 5 days a week became habit, something I just did. There’ve only been a handful of times I felt duty-bound to produce, feeling slightly overwhelmed and considering cutting back. Then that moment would pass, the ideas would start flowing and I’d be writing posts so far out I’d have to rein myself in.
But…
But the time has come I want to give myself that room, the room to not post 5-days a week, to challenge myself to do more, in other areas. Some of you have probably heard my ranting about bloggers who post sporadically (at best) and then don’t post anything for a week or two. When they return they write a couple hundred words apologizing for not “being there for the fans” and promise not ever to be gone so long again (which of course they are a week later). People it’s just a garden blog! Nobody needs to take themselves that seriously, and I’m not. Most of you probably won’t notice (or care) if I cut back to 4, or 3 times a week. But some of you would (I know I do when a regular blogger becomes not so regular) and I didn’t want to do so without telling you why. So there you have it.
Before I start the next five years I want to thank you all for the time you spend reading what I write. To those of you who take the time to comment, or email, a special thanks. It’s the conversations we have that makes this all so darn rewarding.
Now for the blogiversary present, we must have a present! I’m giving away a copy of Desert Gardens, by Gary Lyons. Mr. Lyons is the curator of the Desert Garden at The Huntington Botanical Gardens. The book features 18 public and private gardens in Southern California, including the Huntington, the Balboa Park Cactus Gardens in San Diego and the Moorten Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs. The photos are drool-worthy. If the book’s so great why am I giving it away? I received a second copy as a gift, Andrew was so excited to have found this book for me, but I’d purchased it myself just days before. The copy I’m giving away is used, with some signs of wear on the cover.
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Here are the rules: comment answering one or all of the questions below (you'll get an entry for each answer), I will pick a random winner from all who comment, Facebook comments will be entered as well (although not from the same person). You must either include your email or a link to your blog/facebook page so I can contact you if you win. And, sadly, you must live in the continental U.S. for shipping purposes (unless you live outside the U.S. and happen to be coming to Portland this summer for the Garden Bloggers Fling). Winner will be announced on Monday the 17th. The questions:
1. What was your first “desert plant” purchase and is it still alive?
2. What is your favorite public garden and why?
3. How many times a week do you read danger garden?
Good luck!
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I’m sure there as many reasons to start a blog as there are bloggers. Me? It all came down to a day-job I was unhappy with and an opportunity to do something personally meaningful. My boss called it guerilla marketing. The concept was that by blogging on topics we were personally passionate about (and occasionally mentioning the company and linking to its website) we would in turn draw-in potential clients. Did it work? No, not really.
Out of that insipid beginning came danger garden, something I am proud of. Something that has introduced me to more interesting plant people than I would have ever dreamed possible, led to many important friendships and even a earned me a couple of professional opportunities.
In those first days I was so energized by this new creative outlet I posted every day, well every weekday. Our only home computer died the same week I started the blog, I had no choice but to blog at work, thank god it was a company sanctioned activity (of course I don’t think they realized just how much time I spent doing it!). I had no goals in mind for danger garden when I began writing, and as I’ve mentioned previously I was pretty sure I’d run out of topics to cover in a month or two, yet 1,400 posts later and somehow I still haven’t come to the end.
Somewhere along the way posting 5 days a week became habit, something I just did. There’ve only been a handful of times I felt duty-bound to produce, feeling slightly overwhelmed and considering cutting back. Then that moment would pass, the ideas would start flowing and I’d be writing posts so far out I’d have to rein myself in.
But…
But the time has come I want to give myself that room, the room to not post 5-days a week, to challenge myself to do more, in other areas. Some of you have probably heard my ranting about bloggers who post sporadically (at best) and then don’t post anything for a week or two. When they return they write a couple hundred words apologizing for not “being there for the fans” and promise not ever to be gone so long again (which of course they are a week later). People it’s just a garden blog! Nobody needs to take themselves that seriously, and I’m not. Most of you probably won’t notice (or care) if I cut back to 4, or 3 times a week. But some of you would (I know I do when a regular blogger becomes not so regular) and I didn’t want to do so without telling you why. So there you have it.
Before I start the next five years I want to thank you all for the time you spend reading what I write. To those of you who take the time to comment, or email, a special thanks. It’s the conversations we have that makes this all so darn rewarding.
Now for the blogiversary present, we must have a present! I’m giving away a copy of Desert Gardens, by Gary Lyons. Mr. Lyons is the curator of the Desert Garden at The Huntington Botanical Gardens. The book features 18 public and private gardens in Southern California, including the Huntington, the Balboa Park Cactus Gardens in San Diego and the Moorten Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs. The photos are drool-worthy. If the book’s so great why am I giving it away? I received a second copy as a gift, Andrew was so excited to have found this book for me, but I’d purchased it myself just days before. The copy I’m giving away is used, with some signs of wear on the cover.
Here are the rules: comment answering one or all of the questions below (you'll get an entry for each answer), I will pick a random winner from all who comment, Facebook comments will be entered as well (although not from the same person). You must either include your email or a link to your blog/facebook page so I can contact you if you win. And, sadly, you must live in the continental U.S. for shipping purposes (unless you live outside the U.S. and happen to be coming to Portland this summer for the Garden Bloggers Fling). Winner will be announced on Monday the 17th. The questions:
1. What was your first “desert plant” purchase and is it still alive?
2. What is your favorite public garden and why?
3. How many times a week do you read danger garden?
Good luck!
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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Winter Walk-off in Salem, Oregon...
It's a blogging tradition, every spring Les, at A Tidewater Gardener, has a "Winter Walk-Off" post where he goes for a walk and posts pictures he takes along the way. He invites other bloggers to join in the fun and do the same in our own city (we just have to avoid photos of our own gardens). Last year I stayed close to home and crossed over to the "wrong side of the tracks." This year my Walk-Off post is from Salem, Oregon, our state capital. Andrew and I passed through Salem last weekend on our way home from a get-away, Andrew was busy soaking up the ambiance of a used bookstore so I set off to take some pictures and enjoy a dry afternoon...
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Of course I had to begin with a shot of the capital building, however I made a nice surprise in the carvings flanking the front steps. Look, opuntia! And that plant on the far right bears a striking resemblance to an agave, don't you think?
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On the other side...
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More opuntia! Poor pony, I hope he didn't step too close.
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Okay, off to stroll through a neighborhood. This complex was striking for the quantity of bricks used in the fencing as well as the number of buildings.
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This one was more to my taste.
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Although the lawn would have to go in favor of a Mediterranean garden.
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The lion would stay.
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Last years walk off included a pink ribes, since one presented itself on this walk I had to continue the tradition.
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This park along the river (it looks more river like on the other side) screams 1970's landscape architecture to me...
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A wishing well, flamingos, lions, Christmas lights, solar lights, plastic flowers, stepping stones, a white spider (on the wishing well lattice roof), a couple of plastic frogs...this house has it all...and it's for sale!
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They have more moss than I do.
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This one has mid-century mod potential, but they really need to loose the Christmas wreath, it's March for goodness sakes.
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This one is odd. I can't quite figure out what it's all about.
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This just might be our state "flower" Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)...
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Those arches are far enough apart that a small child or a dog could fall through, oh the days when everything didn't have to be "safe"....
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This was a very sad discovery. I don't know who landscaped the Salem Convention Center but it is pathetic. I took far too many photos and could have done a whole post about how awful it was. Instead I'll just share a select few.
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Look there's art! At least I think that's what the shiny metal cube on the right is supposed to be...
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Aren't those 3-teir things supposed to be used in the kitchen to hold bananas and avocados?
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Oh and why bother to actually plant the plants? They're just going to die anyway and this makes them much easier to remove.
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After that I think I need a drink, thankfully Magoo's has cold beer.
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A cheery palate cleanser...
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There were quite a few amazing old buildings in the downtown area.
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This huge old bank (now US Bank) was gorgeous, for some reason it made me feel I was back in Venice, just for a moment.
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I wonder what the story is behind the newspaper on the windows? Are they newsprint blinds?
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I spy a garden store!
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Sadly they were closed, it was Sunday afterall.
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I loved these metal buckets/planters. Of course the price tag was turned away from the window so I have no idea if I could have afforded them.
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Oh look, an alley with overhanging vines, I love a good alley!
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Those are serious, this plant has been here awhile.
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I wish I could see it all leafed out...
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And a balcony! On the left we have a crispy Christmas tree...
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On the right an interesting wall of planters and table and chairs which look to have been recently used.
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Does this door lead upstairs to the balcony? I wonder. Either way someone is gardening in the space they have available.
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Next door was this Liv, nicely done with the corrugated wall and the bright green steps!
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Just like that we come to the end of my walk. Check out A Tidewater Gardener on the 19th when Les will recap all the participating bloggers.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Of course I had to begin with a shot of the capital building, however I made a nice surprise in the carvings flanking the front steps. Look, opuntia! And that plant on the far right bears a striking resemblance to an agave, don't you think?
On the other side...
More opuntia! Poor pony, I hope he didn't step too close.
Okay, off to stroll through a neighborhood. This complex was striking for the quantity of bricks used in the fencing as well as the number of buildings.
This one was more to my taste.
Although the lawn would have to go in favor of a Mediterranean garden.
The lion would stay.
Last years walk off included a pink ribes, since one presented itself on this walk I had to continue the tradition.
This park along the river (it looks more river like on the other side) screams 1970's landscape architecture to me...
A wishing well, flamingos, lions, Christmas lights, solar lights, plastic flowers, stepping stones, a white spider (on the wishing well lattice roof), a couple of plastic frogs...this house has it all...and it's for sale!
They have more moss than I do.
This one has mid-century mod potential, but they really need to loose the Christmas wreath, it's March for goodness sakes.
This one is odd. I can't quite figure out what it's all about.
This just might be our state "flower" Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)...
Those arches are far enough apart that a small child or a dog could fall through, oh the days when everything didn't have to be "safe"....
This was a very sad discovery. I don't know who landscaped the Salem Convention Center but it is pathetic. I took far too many photos and could have done a whole post about how awful it was. Instead I'll just share a select few.
Look there's art! At least I think that's what the shiny metal cube on the right is supposed to be...
Aren't those 3-teir things supposed to be used in the kitchen to hold bananas and avocados?
Oh and why bother to actually plant the plants? They're just going to die anyway and this makes them much easier to remove.
After that I think I need a drink, thankfully Magoo's has cold beer.
A cheery palate cleanser...
There were quite a few amazing old buildings in the downtown area.
This huge old bank (now US Bank) was gorgeous, for some reason it made me feel I was back in Venice, just for a moment.
I wonder what the story is behind the newspaper on the windows? Are they newsprint blinds?
I spy a garden store!
Sadly they were closed, it was Sunday afterall.
I loved these metal buckets/planters. Of course the price tag was turned away from the window so I have no idea if I could have afforded them.
Oh look, an alley with overhanging vines, I love a good alley!
Those are serious, this plant has been here awhile.
I wish I could see it all leafed out...
And a balcony! On the left we have a crispy Christmas tree...
On the right an interesting wall of planters and table and chairs which look to have been recently used.
Does this door lead upstairs to the balcony? I wonder. Either way someone is gardening in the space they have available.
Next door was this Liv, nicely done with the corrugated wall and the bright green steps!
Just like that we come to the end of my walk. Check out A Tidewater Gardener on the 19th when Les will recap all the participating bloggers.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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March 2014 Bloomday, it's spring all of a sudden...
It's Bloomday once again and things are most definitely taking a turn, a most welcome turn towards spring. Here in Portland, Oregon, we finally had that anticipated stretch of warm and sunny days where you can get out and soak up the sun and know that winter is really and truly over. Thank god!
During our freaky arctic cold last December I succumbed to fear mongering over the idea of loosing the buds on my Edgeworthia and covered them with socks. Now they're looking good, but so are most of the others around town that weren't pampered. Ah well, better safe than sorry... Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Nanjing Gold'
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My orange Edgeworthia, E. chrysantha 'Akebono' is in a container and thus easier protected.
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Love those blooms!
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Even though the in-ground Acacia pravissima died off I've got another in a container. Yay for plant insurance!
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All three of the Arctostaphylos are blooming, A. x 'Austin Griffiths' was the easiest to photograph.
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Aucuba himalaica var. dolichophylla, still in a nursery pot awaiting spring planting.
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Azara microphylla blooms! They really do smell like a mix of vanilla and cocoa...
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Ceanothus 'Dark Star' buds so ready to pop open...
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The Euphorbia trio: E. 'Ascot Rainbow'
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Euphorbia 'Blackbird'
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Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
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The hellebores are still going strong. Helleborus foetidus and H. ballardiae 'Pink Frost'
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And the Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Hindwarf' hasn't missed a beat for a few months now. I've heard of some people around town who lost their loropetalum this winter, mine was newly purchased and not yet planted out, thus easy to protect. It will be going in the ground soon...
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That's a wrap on my blooms, as always visit May Dreams Gardens for links to all the bloggers participating in the Bloomday fun.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
During our freaky arctic cold last December I succumbed to fear mongering over the idea of loosing the buds on my Edgeworthia and covered them with socks. Now they're looking good, but so are most of the others around town that weren't pampered. Ah well, better safe than sorry... Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Nanjing Gold'
My orange Edgeworthia, E. chrysantha 'Akebono' is in a container and thus easier protected.
Love those blooms!
Even though the in-ground Acacia pravissima died off I've got another in a container. Yay for plant insurance!
All three of the Arctostaphylos are blooming, A. x 'Austin Griffiths' was the easiest to photograph.
Aucuba himalaica var. dolichophylla, still in a nursery pot awaiting spring planting.
Azara microphylla blooms! They really do smell like a mix of vanilla and cocoa...
Ceanothus 'Dark Star' buds so ready to pop open...
The Euphorbia trio: E. 'Ascot Rainbow'
Euphorbia 'Blackbird'
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
The hellebores are still going strong. Helleborus foetidus and H. ballardiae 'Pink Frost'
And the Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Hindwarf' hasn't missed a beat for a few months now. I've heard of some people around town who lost their loropetalum this winter, mine was newly purchased and not yet planted out, thus easy to protect. It will be going in the ground soon...
That's a wrap on my blooms, as always visit May Dreams Gardens for links to all the bloggers participating in the Bloomday fun.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
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And the winner is...
The winner of the book Desert Gardens is Lisa, congrats and I will be in touch about how to get the book to you. To everyone who commented on my post Five years, Five times a week (+) = 1,400 thank you so much!
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