A closer look

Here it is mid-September and I'm finally posting extended photos of the garden I "teased" about on June 2nd. Good lord, what happened to summer? I'm not going to say it's gone by too fast — although it's ALWAYS too fast — no, this summer has felt long and luxurious, what with our heat and record number of sunny days. But while winter days seem 36 hours long, summer days seem to be only the standard 24 (or less), and that makes it so much harder to get everything done!

Anyway... I finally made it over to visit David and Georgiana on August 18th, it was a glorious sunny day. I couldn't help but fixate on the Agave...again.

But the blooming Oenothera were also calling for attention.

And this! It's an Eriogonum, aka buckwheat. Of course I was told its specific name, which I can't remember now...

Just so you know that's going to be a theme throughout this post. "Oh fabulous plant!...no I can't tell you exactly what it is"... of course I was told, but there's a difference between enjoying a garden visit and documenting a garden visit. A lot of these plants were new to me. David has collected a lot of seed in the wild and is an astute plantsman. I was in awe.

Another Eriogonum...

The crevice garden continues to amaze...

I didn't notice the hanging Sempervivum on my last visit. Love how these plants make themselves at home in the most unlikely of places.

Cushiony mounds of goodness practically beg to be touched.

Walking up the stairs now...(Yucca harrimaniae?)

If you're interested in this style of garden you'll want to come back to the blog on Thursday when I share some photos, and rambling thoughts, about Joseph Tychonievich's latest book Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style.

And this seems like a good time to share a link to blogger Kenton Seth. His recent post "Crevice Gardens and Smarter Maintenance with Alan Furness" includes several inspiring crevice garden images and there's a new rock garden (and blog series) he's working on at the Cheyenne Botanic Garden...

Looking back down to where we began...

Above the garage is this collection of finery...

And a kitty too, the first of many.

Moving around the side of the house now, towards the back garden...

A looser "crevice" style, and much different plants.

Hmmm...another kitty!

After attempting to take in the back garden (there will be more photos in a minute) I then turned towards the small deck off the back of the house. Sweeping is arm up in a grand gesture David welcomed me to South Africa...

Well yes, I don't mind if I do...

So many wonderful plants, all grown to perfection.

Looking back down, across the garden I found myself rather fixated on the ancient grape vine in the corner, which actually spilled over into the neighbor's yard...

Being a short person I could easily stand under it.

And appreciate the gnarly old wood...

Just to the side there was blue, the bright blue of Delphinium...

And the more subtle (but all the more desirable) blue of Eryngium.

I wanted to call that beauty with the serrated leaves a Sedum but I believe David identified it as a Saxifrage. To it's right that must be a Gentian, but I only had eyes for the Saxifrage...

(really!)

Did I mention that many (all?) of the troughs in this garden were made by David and Georgiana? They were nothing short of wonderful.

As were the plantings of course.

This cutie was a formerly feral cat that realized how good things were in this little paradise and chose to call it home. Smart kitty...

Okay, time to head back to my home...

But you know I stopped to admire the Agave just one more time...

I wonder how close it is to blooming?

And if there will be a party?

Weather Diary, Sept 11: Hi 91, Low 56/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.