My back garden, tour 2020

Yesterday we stopped the garden tour right in front of the gate to the back garden. Today we walk through the gate and look to our right, at the area along the back of the house.
This used to be home to a large phormium, one that managed to live through several PKW (phormium killing winters). I took it out late last summer because it was infested with mealy bugs—too much shade at it's base. I like the replacement planting even better.
Passiflora 'Snow Queen' climbs the trellis (seen above). This is the year she also started popping up around the garden. So far the volunteers are easy to pull and I've re-homed them with friends. 
Agave lophantha 'Splendida' in an upcycled metal planter.
Wanting to break up a sea of black mondo grass I sunk a potted Agave americana 'Variegata' into this spot. It did well over the summer and wasn't too rooted-in when I pulled it for over-wintering.
Now we're looking west, down the paver pathway towards the patio, but instead of walking that way we turn to our right.
The northwest corner of the lawn includes a small container grouping.
And to its left a trio of dish planters.
If you're a regular reader you've seen these planters a couple of times recently—so perhaps this is a good time to mention we're about nine photos into a post with over fifty images. This is going to be a long one folks! I should also give a shout out to Gerhard, who helped me to finally resolve the issue I was having with Blogger posting my photos backwards. It's an amazing treat to be able to upload photos again and have then show up the way I intended!
Those planters from above...
Looking north now, towards the side of the neighbor's garage.
The  fronds of Trachycarpus fortunei appear to be weighted down by the sheer volume of fruit produced this year, the vines of Passiflora lutea are enjoying the extra sun.
The two begonias at the front, towards the left, lived through last winter. I don't expect any of them to be so lucky this year.
Pretty much everything in front of the V-shaped trunk (which belongs to Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart') was newly planted this spring when I dug up another bit of lawn.
My chartreuse circle pot hung from the Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' this summer.
It took a beating in our harsh Labor Day windstorm, but managed to hang on to most of its leaves.
I fear for the large Echium wildpretii that didn't bloom this summer. It's so big now and winter is predicted to be cold.
Turning now, to look south, at the shady side of our garage.
The Metapanax delavayi makes a nice perch from which to hang tillandsias.
And of course the bromeliad collection continues to grow.
If this wasn't such a perfect place for them over the summer I don't know that I'd have such a large collection.
No signs of a pup on this one, hopefully it will hang on after blooming to generate at least one.
One of my 2020 NWFG Fest's "orchid on a stick" purchases, Bulbophyllum sp. mini rambling laxiflorum type (so said the label).
Shifting our gaze slightly to the west we look over to the shade pavilion—so weird to see these things in their summer best, now that my reality is firmly planted in autumn—but we won't be walking over there, not yet. Instead we're going down to the patio.
Pausing on the way to admire the jungle cactus perched on Clifford's branches (Clifford being the name of our big-leaf magnolia).
These plants really did well here this year.
Next year though I'll have to find another home for them as I've finally agreed to cut Clifford's bottom three branches. Something Andrew has been wanting to do for a few years.
Down on the patio looking back at Clifford.
And now towards Sammy, the tall Yucca rostrata.
Containers and a look at the Ficus pumila 'Monier's Hardy' at the base of the steps.
Another angle...

This group is just to the left of the last.
And a bit further to the left (north-ish)...
That Agave ovatifolia is now under an improvised PVC and plastic cover as the rain comes down in buckets. Improvised because every year it gets bigger and bigger!
The Symphytum × uplandicum 'Axminster Gold' failed to really thrive this year. I think it was complaining about not gettig enough water.
The Passiflora 'Amethyst Jewel' however, it was very very happy.
The carniverous collection.
Looking to the left/west...
And then turning to look south, at the shade pavilion, the new and improved version with the neighbor's light-sucking conifers gone. This is what the light looks like at 12:10 pm.
And now at 4:42 pm, both photos taken on September 20th.
Table top plants.


The gang on the right-side wall as you look at the shade pavilion.
And again, at the pavilion and the fence behind...which seems to have more and more things hung on it every year. Oh! Also new this year, that fabulous light-fixture shade table!
Towards the back of the garage.
The fence...
The fern bowl and friends...
I was still rather shocked by the increased light (from the neighbor's tree removal) when I took these photos.

I am thrilled to report the trashcan lid staghorn fern is doing wonderful. 
As is the vertical trashcan lid planting. I didn't make either one with a thought to what overwintering might look like, but they're both in the basement and doing well.
Ferns in the short oval stock tank, behind the garage.
And one last look out at the patio. It looks nothing like this now. I miss summer!!!