Rather than attempting to get actual work done on the morning of November 9th I instead gave myself over to the New York Times, and the fear and bewilderment in my Facebook feed. I read and read and cried some too. Why fight it when I knew I wouldn't be able to focus anyway? Truth be told I was jealous when Andrew left for work — and the distraction of the workplace — that morning.
After a few hours I needed a nice hot shower to wash away all the ickiness, it's about then the dark, heavy, clouds disappeared and a bright blue sky replaced them. I knew it was time to step away from the internet and seek some horticultural therapy in the form of a walk around the Kennedy School grounds.
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This perfectly gorgeous (in the moment) pampas grass was on the way. If you follow Sean Hogan (@_sean_hogan) of Cistus Nursery on Instagram (and you really should) he recently shared an eye-opening video of this plant in the "Santa Lucias above the Big Sur coast" of California. Give it a watch...![]()
Moving on to the KS grounds I was surprised to see this littleAllium Agapanthus (duh! I knew that...thanks Rod Lutes for catching error) my blooming, in November.
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Brachyglottis greyi (Senecio greyi) has a delightful shimmer in the sunlight.
![]()
I can't stress enough how medicinal the sun was that afternoon. If it had stayed dark and stormy I would have sunk lower into despair. Everyone seemed to be feeling the need to get out and soak it up. I encountered many more people out walking about than usual for a Wednesday afternoon. They were all sure to make eye contact and smile too, I think we needed to feel connected in a moment of uncertainty.
![]()
Looks like maybe this is Santolina virens 'Lemon Fizz' is doing that "revert to green" thing I've heard it does.![]()
A little out of focus but it adds to the softness.
![]()
I love this trio of Agave parryi surrounded by Sempervivum and (maybe?) a trailing ice-plant?
![]()
An over-all shot of the Lardizabala biternata I was stalking a few weeks back.
![]()
These were gorgeous, one of those plants I never notice until a moment like this. I have no idea what it is but suspect everyone else probably does. (*update it's a Cuphea, probably C. micropetala, thanks AA*)
![]()
And I keep threatening to add these to my garden but never remember to buy them. I also know what they are, I really do, but can't think of the name right now...(*update Schizostylis coccinea, again thanks AA*)
![]()
Gorgeous Lagerstroemia foliage, all colored up.
![]()
Cunninghamia lanceolata 'Glauca'— I need to remember this tree is here, so whenever I yearn for one in my garden I can come visit it instead.
![]()
Monkey puzzle! Araucaria araucana.
![]()
Turning back to look at the huge clump of Tetrapanax.
![]()
I first spotted these Agave desmettiana back in October and wondered if they'd leave them outside to perish. So far there's no signs of a move, but then again we've not gotten much colder than 40℉ so no need to worry, other than the copious rain that is.
![]()
Summer-like in it's intensity.
![]()
This photo proves I'm not crazy, or at the very least that others are just as crazy. On the far left and far right are Loquat trees (Eriobotrya japonica). I get strange looks when people realize I've got two in my (small) garden...and yes I realize that's not going to work long term.
![]()
The Yucca and Eucalyptus combo is a good one.
![]()
Oakleaf Hydrangea, showing off that beautiful fall color they're (sometimes) known for.
![]()
Their Dryopteris sieboldii are getting quite large! I finally planted one in my garden, I hope I chose a good place.
![]()
They've also got a great collection of Mahonia gracilipes, which I can never get a great photo of because the colors get all wonky on the north side of the building, in the shade.
![]()
Hmmm, no color here.
![]()
Now we're moving into my favorite part of the garden...
![]()
You probably can guess why.
![]()
The Kalanchoe is definitely not hardy here.
![]()
Nor is that big leaf thing in the bottom middle with the dark spots.
![]()
The Agaves though, they'll power through. I love having another Agave-test garden just blocks away from my own.
![]()
*sigh*... the subtle variegation on this Agave parryi is just as beautiful as the first time I saw it.
![]()
And the pups are still there...(a disclaimer, lest anyone think I covet to the point of theft).
![]()
I should be frightened by the size of that Nolina 'La Siberica'...(at the back), since I have three...
![]()
Still watching that Echium and wondering what winter will do to it.
![]()
Seeing the seed capsules on this Callistemon reminded me just how fortunate I am. I remember first discovering we could grow them here in Portland and lusting after a plant mature enough to bloom and develop these. Now I've got several.
![]()
Still no pods on my Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ though, which is just fine with me, although they are awfully cute. I hope my therapeutic walk in the sun did you some good too.
![]()
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
After a few hours I needed a nice hot shower to wash away all the ickiness, it's about then the dark, heavy, clouds disappeared and a bright blue sky replaced them. I knew it was time to step away from the internet and seek some horticultural therapy in the form of a walk around the Kennedy School grounds.
This perfectly gorgeous (in the moment) pampas grass was on the way. If you follow Sean Hogan (@_sean_hogan) of Cistus Nursery on Instagram (and you really should) he recently shared an eye-opening video of this plant in the "Santa Lucias above the Big Sur coast" of California. Give it a watch...
Moving on to the KS grounds I was surprised to see this little
Brachyglottis greyi (Senecio greyi) has a delightful shimmer in the sunlight.
I can't stress enough how medicinal the sun was that afternoon. If it had stayed dark and stormy I would have sunk lower into despair. Everyone seemed to be feeling the need to get out and soak it up. I encountered many more people out walking about than usual for a Wednesday afternoon. They were all sure to make eye contact and smile too, I think we needed to feel connected in a moment of uncertainty.
Looks like maybe this is Santolina virens 'Lemon Fizz' is doing that "revert to green" thing I've heard it does.
A little out of focus but it adds to the softness.
I love this trio of Agave parryi surrounded by Sempervivum and (maybe?) a trailing ice-plant?
An over-all shot of the Lardizabala biternata I was stalking a few weeks back.
These were gorgeous, one of those plants I never notice until a moment like this. I have no idea what it is but suspect everyone else probably does. (*update it's a Cuphea, probably C. micropetala, thanks AA*)
And I keep threatening to add these to my garden but never remember to buy them. I also know what they are, I really do, but can't think of the name right now...(*update Schizostylis coccinea, again thanks AA*)
Gorgeous Lagerstroemia foliage, all colored up.
Cunninghamia lanceolata 'Glauca'— I need to remember this tree is here, so whenever I yearn for one in my garden I can come visit it instead.
Monkey puzzle! Araucaria araucana.
Turning back to look at the huge clump of Tetrapanax.
I first spotted these Agave desmettiana back in October and wondered if they'd leave them outside to perish. So far there's no signs of a move, but then again we've not gotten much colder than 40℉ so no need to worry, other than the copious rain that is.
Summer-like in it's intensity.
This photo proves I'm not crazy, or at the very least that others are just as crazy. On the far left and far right are Loquat trees (Eriobotrya japonica). I get strange looks when people realize I've got two in my (small) garden...and yes I realize that's not going to work long term.
The Yucca and Eucalyptus combo is a good one.
Oakleaf Hydrangea, showing off that beautiful fall color they're (sometimes) known for.
Their Dryopteris sieboldii are getting quite large! I finally planted one in my garden, I hope I chose a good place.
They've also got a great collection of Mahonia gracilipes, which I can never get a great photo of because the colors get all wonky on the north side of the building, in the shade.
Hmmm, no color here.
Now we're moving into my favorite part of the garden...
You probably can guess why.
The Kalanchoe is definitely not hardy here.
Nor is that big leaf thing in the bottom middle with the dark spots.
The Agaves though, they'll power through. I love having another Agave-test garden just blocks away from my own.
*sigh*... the subtle variegation on this Agave parryi is just as beautiful as the first time I saw it.
And the pups are still there...(a disclaimer, lest anyone think I covet to the point of theft).
I should be frightened by the size of that Nolina 'La Siberica'...(at the back), since I have three...
Still watching that Echium and wondering what winter will do to it.
Seeing the seed capsules on this Callistemon reminded me just how fortunate I am. I remember first discovering we could grow them here in Portland and lusting after a plant mature enough to bloom and develop these. Now I've got several.
Still no pods on my Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ though, which is just fine with me, although they are awfully cute. I hope my therapeutic walk in the sun did you some good too.
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.