Revisiting the garden of a friend...

I hope my friend Steve won't take offense if I describe him as a casual gardener. While he's got great taste in plants (and everything else) — and has created a super garden around his Beacon Hill (Seattle), home — he's not as plant obsessed as a lot of my friends are. He actually does things besides visit nurseries and obsess about the next must have plant. He might even go several weeks without buying a plant... I know!!! Those people really exist, and I'm friends with one of them!

I visited Steve's place when I was in Seattle a couple weeks back and of course I took pictures. I've already shared a few inside-shots on Instagram, but wanted to share the inspiring garden photos here. Steve's garden is the first place I ever saw the purple/blue fruit of an Akebia vine, it was amazing. Looks like he's since tamed the vine as it's not nearly as massive this year.

Steve's fence design is pure genius for privacy. I first wrote about it in 2010 (here). The Fatsia plantings and baby Trachycarpus soften, but don't obscure, the lines.

Out on the public sidewalk looking in...

Only one of his street-side Yuccca (Y. gloriosa 'Variegata'— maybe?) decided to bloom.

If I recall correctly he said it's bloomed before but the buds never seem to fully open. The show usually stops right about at this stage...

I love the blue creeping conifer patch against the neighbor's fence (no guesses on the ID here).

It's an especially nice pairing with the fern.

And the autumn leaves.

Steve mentioned he'd went on a bit of a Yucca buying spree last summer, they're so easy and always look good.

Yucca baccata is a favorite of mine too, I probably need a couple more.

I have many memories of Saturdays Steve and I spent combing through vintage shops looking for treasures, of course he'd have a fabulous vintage sprinkler.

More Yuccas...

Hmmm. I'll be asking about this little Aloe come spring. I know it wouldn't make it through winter in my garden but Seattle tends to stay a little warmer.

I suspect I'm to blame (or thank, depending on your outlook) for the Tetrapanax pup. I gave him a pup of one of my plants last year and it's planted nearby.

Eryngium pandanifolium I believe (perhaps var. lasseauxii). I miss mine! They got too soggy last winter/spring and rotted out.

Not only did his Hesperaloe bloom but it also set seed. Have any of you successfully started seeds from this plant?

Tomatoes and Opuntia with a Conifer backdrop.

I absolutely love the privacy wall he added to the side of his patio, it definitely has a beachy feel.

Beach balls?

Continuing the theme...

Cement seagull...

And my friends — the flamingos.

Against the back of the house...

Yew?

My favorite small flax, Phormium 'Tom Thumb'.

Of course I covet this low aggregate planting bowl. It would be the perfect partner for the taller one gifted to me.

Since I visited on November 4th I was too late to see Steve's vintage furniture collection in use in the garden, instead it had been moved undercover on the patio.

Still worth admiring though.

Next year I will definitely plan to visit in high summer. Maybe I'll even successfully talk him into visiting a nursery or two...

Weather Diary, Nov 15: Hi 56, Low 42/ Precip .86"

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