What took me so long? I've "known" Kris for, well, 7 years now (online counts, right?). I've been following her blog, Late to the Garden Party since January 2013. I've wanted to visit her garden in person for years, and finally had my chance when Andrew and I were in the Los Angeles area over Christmas.
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It was a strange feeling of déjà vu when I pulled up in front of her house and walked up to the front door. After all I'd seen it all before, in pictures. When we walked out onto the patio and I saw the Albizia julibrissin I understood why she's trying so hard to save this troubled tree, it is the perfect foil to the incredible view.
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That view...
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Somehow I finally managed to tear my eyes away and focus on the fabulous plants, after all that's why I was there. This is one of many combinations that made my heart beat faster. Yucca gloriosa 'Walbristar' (aka 'Bright Star' Yucca) withwhat I think is a santolina? Coleonema 'Sunset Gold' (thanks Kris).
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*SWOON*
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I hope Kris is the only one slightly disoriented by the flow of photos as we move through her garden. I did my best to keep them in order, but fear somethings are a little jumbled. If you'd like to follow along with some wide-shot perspectives check out this recent post Kris did: Wide Shots - January 2020. We're headed around the corner now...
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This cryptanthus stopped me in my tracks. Kris said it came labeled simply as "Earthstar' but she thinks it maybe Cryptanthus bivattatus.
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Gorgeous, right?
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Kris has a (well deserved) reputation for being a flower lover, I knew she had succulents in the mix—after all this is Southern California—but I was truly unprepared for the quantity and quality in her garden.
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Speaking of quality, I should mention the quality of these photos is not what I would like them to be. It was the day before my visit to this garden that my camera up and died. Thank god for my iPhone, but oh how I wish I would have had my camera with me.
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Agave 'Blue Flame' with A. americana 'Mediopicta Alba' in the background.
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Again, I *SWOON*...
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Metrosideros collina 'Springfire'
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Agave 'Blue Flame', A. americana 'Mediopicta Alba', joined by A. 'Blue Glow'...
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Agave 'Blue Glow', glowing...
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Agave ovatifolia...
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And I love that little yucca Kris planted in the stump.
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Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan', I think.
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We've moved far enough along the side of the house now that I can look to my right and see the big magnolia by the front door.
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But we don't head that direction, instead we continue straight down towards the lath house Kris's husband built for her two years ago...(time flies!).
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There was a stunning collection of plants enjoying the semi-shady conditions inside...
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Most of which I didn't get the names of (meaning Kris said them, and I promptly forgot them).
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I do know this one! Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) 'Zombie'
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This pot is a work of art.
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Back outside it's time to admire the many aeoniums along the slight embankment in this section of the garden.
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Agave desmettiana
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I've never particularly cared for aeonium flowers, so this "just about to burst" stage was perfect for my visit.
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Don't worry, I'm almost done. I just needed to communicate the sheer amount of these beautiful plants...
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A bit of senecio mixed in.
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Okay, now were "rounding the bend" (which really may not of have been a bend...and is only one in my memory) and the succulent mix becomes a little different.
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Can't identify this one, but it's a beauty. (*update* Kris thinks it may have been labeled Agave mitis, a variegated version)
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Agave geminiflora, I think?
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The Echium candicans 'Star of Madiera' was unbelievable, the size rather impressive.
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I'm not sure which leucadendron this is, and I certainly can't imagine the wealth of blooms it must produce.
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Aeonium 'Kiwi, perhaps?
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Ah this one I know, Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream', I used to have one of these (in a container) and loved it's blooms.
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I'll end today's post with this seriously toothy agave and say "come back tomorrow" for more gorgeousness.
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Weather Diary, Jan 29: Hi 49, Low 46/ Precip .45
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
It was a strange feeling of déjà vu when I pulled up in front of her house and walked up to the front door. After all I'd seen it all before, in pictures. When we walked out onto the patio and I saw the Albizia julibrissin I understood why she's trying so hard to save this troubled tree, it is the perfect foil to the incredible view.
That view...
Somehow I finally managed to tear my eyes away and focus on the fabulous plants, after all that's why I was there. This is one of many combinations that made my heart beat faster. Yucca gloriosa 'Walbristar' (aka 'Bright Star' Yucca) with
*SWOON*
I hope Kris is the only one slightly disoriented by the flow of photos as we move through her garden. I did my best to keep them in order, but fear somethings are a little jumbled. If you'd like to follow along with some wide-shot perspectives check out this recent post Kris did: Wide Shots - January 2020. We're headed around the corner now...
This cryptanthus stopped me in my tracks. Kris said it came labeled simply as "Earthstar' but she thinks it maybe Cryptanthus bivattatus.
Gorgeous, right?
Kris has a (well deserved) reputation for being a flower lover, I knew she had succulents in the mix—after all this is Southern California—but I was truly unprepared for the quantity and quality in her garden.
Speaking of quality, I should mention the quality of these photos is not what I would like them to be. It was the day before my visit to this garden that my camera up and died. Thank god for my iPhone, but oh how I wish I would have had my camera with me.
Agave 'Blue Flame' with A. americana 'Mediopicta Alba' in the background.
Again, I *SWOON*...
Metrosideros collina 'Springfire'
Agave 'Blue Flame', A. americana 'Mediopicta Alba', joined by A. 'Blue Glow'...
Agave 'Blue Glow', glowing...
Agave ovatifolia...
And I love that little yucca Kris planted in the stump.
Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan', I think.
We've moved far enough along the side of the house now that I can look to my right and see the big magnolia by the front door.
But we don't head that direction, instead we continue straight down towards the lath house Kris's husband built for her two years ago...(time flies!).
There was a stunning collection of plants enjoying the semi-shady conditions inside...
Most of which I didn't get the names of (meaning Kris said them, and I promptly forgot them).
I do know this one! Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) 'Zombie'
This pot is a work of art.
Back outside it's time to admire the many aeoniums along the slight embankment in this section of the garden.
Agave desmettiana
I've never particularly cared for aeonium flowers, so this "just about to burst" stage was perfect for my visit.
Don't worry, I'm almost done. I just needed to communicate the sheer amount of these beautiful plants...
A bit of senecio mixed in.
Okay, now were "rounding the bend" (which really may not of have been a bend...and is only one in my memory) and the succulent mix becomes a little different.
Can't identify this one, but it's a beauty. (*update* Kris thinks it may have been labeled Agave mitis, a variegated version)
Agave geminiflora, I think?
The Echium candicans 'Star of Madiera' was unbelievable, the size rather impressive.
I'm not sure which leucadendron this is, and I certainly can't imagine the wealth of blooms it must produce.
Aeonium 'Kiwi, perhaps?
Ah this one I know, Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream', I used to have one of these (in a container) and loved it's blooms.
I'll end today's post with this seriously toothy agave and say "come back tomorrow" for more gorgeousness.
Weather Diary, Jan 29: Hi 49, Low 46/ Precip .45
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.