Shopping while social distancing at Joy Creek Nursery...

Like many other states, Oregon is currently under a "stay-at-home" order issued by our governor at the request of the mayors of our most populous cities. That was not the case back on March 18th when I took a road trip out Highway 30 to visit Joy Creek and Cistus Nurseries, back then we were simply being asked to maintain a 6-ft distance from others...

Having visited previously on late winter/early spring weekdays I knew I would likely be the only person there, and I was right. The gorgeous weather was part of why I'd allowed myself the distraction, how nice to get out and wander a display garden while temporarily putting the world's worries behind me.

I never tire of photographing this small metal pot.

Or the tall arching bamboo...

I've attended and been involved in a few wonderful classes here. I was looking forward to this year's schedule, hopefully several will still be able to happen.

Check out those beefy stems on their Podophyllum pleianthum!

You may have noticed an "empty" hoop in the air above a clump of cut-back grass in the shot with the outdoor classroom. Here's one still corralling some dead stems. What a simple solution to floppy plants.

Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire', I believe.

While the stump itself is interesting...

The shelf fungus is crazy cool.

I bet this has been a popular spot with the local bird population.

There was a label sort of hung on one of this tree's branches, Manglietia insignis (aka Magnolia insignis), but that has a pink blush to the blooms.

These were definitely white.

But if it's a pink magnolia you're after, that's here too...

I love the moss and the spiral plant corral.

Of course I took a moss close up.

My friend the Dasylirion wheeleri, I have to visit it every time I come to Joy Creek.

That goes for the Agave neomexicana too, of course.

They're perfect!

Crazy sprinkler face, you see it too, yes?

Time to shop! Looks like it's also time to bring out the Ensete ventricosum 'maurelii' that have been overwintered elsewhere.

Indeed I had the whole place to myself! Well except my friends the owners/employees. It was wonderful to visit with them from across the tables. I should have taken a photo...

Here's your chance to own a good size Dasylirion wheeleri, I usually only see these available as tiny plants.

I wonder how many years this well-weathered sign has directed traffic?

Epimedium 'Frohnleiten'

Erythronium revolutum

The Saxifraga! I almost forgot they're part of why I was here.

This one is Saxifraga 'Cockscomb', I did not get one of them....although I should have.

But I did go a little crazy and got several others. Clockwise beginning in the upper left hand corner: Saxifraga x longifolia hybrid (2 of them), S. paniculata f. rosea, S. x geum 'Dentata' (2 of them), S. cotyledon 'Caterhamensis' and S. x macnabiana. Unfortunately those great colors won't last once the weather starts to warm (they'll turn to green), but that's okay.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual nursery stroll. If you've got a hankering to do some of your own shopping Joy Creek does mail order, and if you're local you can order online and do a will-call pick-up. See their Facebook page for details. Tomorrow I'll share my visit to Cistus Nursery!


Weather Diary, Mar 29: Hi 59, Low 48/ Precip .18"

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