We've got a pretty tight group of Garden Bloggers here in the Portland area, we get together to socialize throughout the year, hit nurseries, visit each other's gardens, etc. Last Saturday I hosted a gathering here, in my garden, and — well— after everyone left I noticed a disturbing infestation...of garden gnomes...
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I think this one, below, is the head of the gang. The one above was on "look out" in the front garden. Probably signaling to lost gnomes headed down the street
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This guy has definitely seen some hard-core gnome antics.
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These two diminutive gnomes were up to no good in the shady corner.
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Notice the shovel, I'm sure he was intent on stealing my Coniogramme emeiensis 'Golden Zebra'.
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This guy passed out shortly after the party started.
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A day drinker if ever I saw one.
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This fellow is hiding something, I'm sure of it.
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This fellow, and his delivery of sunflowers (I wonder if they're "sleepy sunflowers"? Like the poppies in the Wizard of Oz?), got lost and ended up among the carnivorous plants. Run little gnomey run!
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AH! A gnome pretending to be a chocolate Easter bunny!
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Actually this one was a custom creation, he's holding an Agave!
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That's a total of eight gnomes I've found. I get the feeling there may still be a couple more hiding in the shadows, we shall see. And where will they show up next? The first (much smaller) infestation broke out last spring in Patricia's garden. Later there were signs of it spreading to Alan's in SW Portland, then Laura's up in Vancouver, WA — now mine, and their numbers are growing — clearly no garden is safe!
The occasion of last Saturday's gathering was our fall plant swap, I tried to be a very good girl and not grab too many plants. I do not need more plants. This Trevesia palmata (Snowflake Aralia) however came with my name on it, a gift from Peter, he has a smaller one he kept.
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Those leaves!
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Those spikes! However it's not hardy here in Zone 8, so I am gonna have to treat it like a houseplant for the next 6 or so months...
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Peter also brought me a pup from his Agave americana 'Mediopicta Aurea'...
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And an Aloe aristata. I have a few of these in the ground, and they've done just fine. I think I'll wait and plant this one out in the spring however.
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From Lance I grabbed a gorgeous Aeonium, he's got a way with these things. I just hope I can keep it happy over winter. He also brought a small pile of divided bare root Hesperaloe, I scored one and need to remember to get it into the ground soon.
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Patricia practically forced me to take this Kalanchoe orgyalis (Copper Spoons). What could I do but say yes?
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Paul (co-owner of Xera Plants) brought plants from the nursery! I scored a Seseli gummiferum (moon carrot)...
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And this adorable little Trachelospermum, T. asiaticum 'Shirofu Chirimen', those leaves really are that small. It's hardy to zone 7b, evergreen, and wil reach 3ft tall in 5 years.
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Finally my last plant came from Joy Creek, a special delivery from Tamara (who couldn't make it to the swap) to Anna to me. I forgot to take a photo of it here, at my house, so I'm using the one Tamara sent me. Isn't it cute? Most importantly I wonder if it's gnome resistant?
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Weather Diary, Sept 24: Hi tbd, Low tbd/ Precip tbd
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I think this one, below, is the head of the gang. The one above was on "look out" in the front garden. Probably signaling to lost gnomes headed down the street
This guy has definitely seen some hard-core gnome antics.
These two diminutive gnomes were up to no good in the shady corner.
Notice the shovel, I'm sure he was intent on stealing my Coniogramme emeiensis 'Golden Zebra'.
This guy passed out shortly after the party started.
A day drinker if ever I saw one.
This fellow is hiding something, I'm sure of it.
This fellow, and his delivery of sunflowers (I wonder if they're "sleepy sunflowers"? Like the poppies in the Wizard of Oz?), got lost and ended up among the carnivorous plants. Run little gnomey run!
AH! A gnome pretending to be a chocolate Easter bunny!
Actually this one was a custom creation, he's holding an Agave!
That's a total of eight gnomes I've found. I get the feeling there may still be a couple more hiding in the shadows, we shall see. And where will they show up next? The first (much smaller) infestation broke out last spring in Patricia's garden. Later there were signs of it spreading to Alan's in SW Portland, then Laura's up in Vancouver, WA — now mine, and their numbers are growing — clearly no garden is safe!
✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽
The occasion of last Saturday's gathering was our fall plant swap, I tried to be a very good girl and not grab too many plants. I do not need more plants. This Trevesia palmata (Snowflake Aralia) however came with my name on it, a gift from Peter, he has a smaller one he kept.
Those leaves!
Those spikes! However it's not hardy here in Zone 8, so I am gonna have to treat it like a houseplant for the next 6 or so months...
Peter also brought me a pup from his Agave americana 'Mediopicta Aurea'...
Paul (co-owner of Xera Plants) brought plants from the nursery! I scored a Seseli gummiferum (moon carrot)...
And this adorable little Trachelospermum, T. asiaticum 'Shirofu Chirimen', those leaves really are that small. It's hardy to zone 7b, evergreen, and wil reach 3ft tall in 5 years.
Finally my last plant came from Joy Creek, a special delivery from Tamara (who couldn't make it to the swap) to Anna to me. I forgot to take a photo of it here, at my house, so I'm using the one Tamara sent me. Isn't it cute? Most importantly I wonder if it's gnome resistant?
Weather Diary, Sept 24: Hi tbd, Low tbd/ Precip tbd
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.