The final stop on last Saturday's day of plant fun, with Peter and Alison, was Far Reaches Farm in Port Townsend, Washington — and no, you haven't missed my other posts, I rarely do things in order, they'll show up eventually.
While most of the PNW I-5 corridor — from Portland to Seattle — was enjoying the first cloudy, cool (under 80) day in several weeks (with sprinkles! .01" recorded in Portland), Port Townsend actually experienced downpours.
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We were rained on in route and I joked that the skies would clear and the sun would come out once we pulled into the nursery, and what do you know, that's pretty much what happened.
Just moments after we arrived, I grabbed this Syneilesis, it's so different from the ones I currently grow (label: Syneilesis Sp. (as intermedia) DJHT12101 ex Taiwan), I had to have it.
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Disporium nantouense, from a Crug Farm collection.
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I took several photos of brightly colored Roscoea during our visit. I've tried, and failed, multiple times with this plant. Thus I adored them, and left them behind.
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Sinopanax formosanus, Far Reaches is where my Sinopanax came from.
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Saxifraga paniculata ‘Rosea’
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So many plants...
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Far Reaches has several crazy good Crocosmia.
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Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum', tempting, but I passed.
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Ha! This planting made me laugh. So much empty space...come on, cramscape!
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I've signed up for the Far Reaches newsletter (you should too) and it's not uncommon to hear that a section of the nursery is off limits because some creature has decided to call it home (Killdeer come to mind). I have no idea what created this nest, but it was fun to see.
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I asked about this exceptional thistle, but there were none currently available.
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See what I meant about the rain?
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Lily down.
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This one caused me some confusion and I meant to ask Kelly or Sue about it. My eyes said Daphniphyllum, the label said Diplopanax stachyanthus
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Anybody?
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Diphylleia cymosa
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OMG, so cute!
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Relaxing in the sun...
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The Outlaw, in his element.
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In addition to the fabulous nursery keeping them busy Kelly and Sue recently formed Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy, which is "focused on introducing new plants to North America with attendant conservation and education. This is important work that is racing the clock as native ecosystems and key ornamental collections overseas are increasingly imperiled and your financial support is critical to continue to make this happen." (more here) Thank god someone (some pair?) is willing to take on this important work.
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If my memory is correct this shelter was built thanks to the kindness ($) of a spouse of dedicated Far Reaches shopper. He needed a place to sit (out of the weather) while she shopped.
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I think that's Kelly and Sue's homestead, as lovely as it is my camera was actually focused on the blooming Nolina. That's something you don't see every day.
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Beautiful.
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Eryngium maritimum
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The Tetrapanax are lovely but wowsa!...
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Check out that Schefflera delavayi!
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Heading back to the nursery proper this stopped me in my tracks. The foliage says Lyonothamnus floribundus, but those huge blooms? And it can get cold up here in Port Townsend.
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Could it be?
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Heading into the greenhouse to pay I caught sight of another of the dogs. What a life!
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Clethra aff. petelotii was my final temptation, but I managed to walk away.
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So what did I bring home? Well that Syneilesis at the top of the post was my only purchase. But I'd done a little favor for Kelly and Sue awhile back, so Kelly tossed in a couple of plants. This interesting guy being one of them...
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I do love me a plant that looks dead and this one almost fits that bill. Plus once I was home and researching it I discovered a few online photos that included translucent blue berries...
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Kind of like these. Which belong to Coprosma brunnea which I feel in love with at the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver BC way back in 2010. I will be thrilled if I see berries like that on my plant.
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My other gifted treasure is this guy, Bupleurum angulosum. I knew nothing about it when I accepted it but a little research shows me it's got green flowers which means I am thrilled.
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Here's the description from the Far Reaches website: "A quietly fun perennial that should be on every green flower afficionado's hit list. Lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing dull yellow tiny button flowers arising from green buds and all surrounded by a prominent green collar. Lovely green effect with plenty of structural detail. Archibald collection from the Pyrenees/Cantabrian Mts. Jim and Jenny Archibald were great plant hunters with a fabulous seed business and we have one of greenhouses named for them."
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So that's our most wonderful outing to Far Reaches. If you're in the Portland area you'll want to come out to hear Kelly and Sue talk ("It’s All About the Plants") at the HPSO Fall PlantFest on September 15th...more info here (oh, and there's a plant sale afterward!).
Weather Diary, Aug 16: Hi 83, Low 61/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
While most of the PNW I-5 corridor — from Portland to Seattle — was enjoying the first cloudy, cool (under 80) day in several weeks (with sprinkles! .01" recorded in Portland), Port Townsend actually experienced downpours.
We were rained on in route and I joked that the skies would clear and the sun would come out once we pulled into the nursery, and what do you know, that's pretty much what happened.
Just moments after we arrived, I grabbed this Syneilesis, it's so different from the ones I currently grow (label: Syneilesis Sp. (as intermedia) DJHT12101 ex Taiwan), I had to have it.
So many plants...
Far Reaches has several crazy good Crocosmia.
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum', tempting, but I passed.
Ha! This planting made me laugh. So much empty space...come on, cramscape!
I've signed up for the Far Reaches newsletter (you should too) and it's not uncommon to hear that a section of the nursery is off limits because some creature has decided to call it home (Killdeer come to mind). I have no idea what created this nest, but it was fun to see.
I asked about this exceptional thistle, but there were none currently available.
See what I meant about the rain?
Lily down.
This one caused me some confusion and I meant to ask Kelly or Sue about it. My eyes said Daphniphyllum, the label said Diplopanax stachyanthus
Anybody?
Diphylleia cymosa
OMG, so cute!
Relaxing in the sun...
The Outlaw, in his element.
In addition to the fabulous nursery keeping them busy Kelly and Sue recently formed Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy, which is "focused on introducing new plants to North America with attendant conservation and education. This is important work that is racing the clock as native ecosystems and key ornamental collections overseas are increasingly imperiled and your financial support is critical to continue to make this happen." (more here) Thank god someone (some pair?) is willing to take on this important work.
If my memory is correct this shelter was built thanks to the kindness ($) of a spouse of dedicated Far Reaches shopper. He needed a place to sit (out of the weather) while she shopped.
I think that's Kelly and Sue's homestead, as lovely as it is my camera was actually focused on the blooming Nolina. That's something you don't see every day.
Beautiful.
Eryngium maritimum
The Tetrapanax are lovely but wowsa!...
Check out that Schefflera delavayi!
Heading back to the nursery proper this stopped me in my tracks. The foliage says Lyonothamnus floribundus, but those huge blooms? And it can get cold up here in Port Townsend.
Could it be?
Heading into the greenhouse to pay I caught sight of another of the dogs. What a life!
Clethra aff. petelotii was my final temptation, but I managed to walk away.
So what did I bring home? Well that Syneilesis at the top of the post was my only purchase. But I'd done a little favor for Kelly and Sue awhile back, so Kelly tossed in a couple of plants. This interesting guy being one of them...
I do love me a plant that looks dead and this one almost fits that bill. Plus once I was home and researching it I discovered a few online photos that included translucent blue berries...
Kind of like these. Which belong to Coprosma brunnea which I feel in love with at the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver BC way back in 2010. I will be thrilled if I see berries like that on my plant.
My other gifted treasure is this guy, Bupleurum angulosum. I knew nothing about it when I accepted it but a little research shows me it's got green flowers which means I am thrilled.
Here's the description from the Far Reaches website: "A quietly fun perennial that should be on every green flower afficionado's hit list. Lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing dull yellow tiny button flowers arising from green buds and all surrounded by a prominent green collar. Lovely green effect with plenty of structural detail. Archibald collection from the Pyrenees/Cantabrian Mts. Jim and Jenny Archibald were great plant hunters with a fabulous seed business and we have one of greenhouses named for them."
So that's our most wonderful outing to Far Reaches. If you're in the Portland area you'll want to come out to hear Kelly and Sue talk ("It’s All About the Plants") at the HPSO Fall PlantFest on September 15th...more info here (oh, and there's a plant sale afterward!).
Weather Diary, Aug 16: Hi 83, Low 61/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.