A special evening at Thicket

Last Thursday the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and Thicket Garden Shop teamed up for a special "After Hours" event...It had been so long since I'd been out and about at a nursery in the company of friends, I was very excited to attend. I snuck in the back gate and was immediately greeted by fellow HPSO Board member, Jeanne Keyes.
With her was Debbie Teashon, down from the Seattle-area to attend the OAN's Farwest Show. This smart lady knows how to make the most of her travels!
I do not know these ladies, but they looked so cute and comfortable that I had to snap their photo.
Shelly Durica-Laiche of Indio Metal Arts was also part of the event, selling her metal planters and garden art—I am the proud owner of one of her pieces and glad she was there so more people could learn about what she does.
Here's the HPSO's Social Media and Zoom wonder-woman Hayden Brown (L) and her friend Elizabeth Brosig (R).
The HPSO's president Barb Christopher.
For just a moment I thought that was my hair and arm and wondered how a photo of me made it onto my camera roll, but no. That's not my handbag!


Thicket is so full of inspirational vignettes.
So as I said, I entered at the back gate of Thicket and since I'm still walking at only about 85% of capacity my goal was to walk from the back to the front of the nursery—chatting along the way—and then back to where I'd entered. Then I'd make haste back to my car and home to elevate the ankle. Here I was, at the front—half of the journey complete!

I have no idea who this truck belongs to but love that they scored a parking spot right out front.
Damn. Leucospermum 'Veldfire', such a cool plant. Very high on the plant lust meter.

What is that! Mosaic plant as a floater? That changes everything for my stock tank pond. I've only seen this used as a planted aquatic.


Ya, I really considered grabbing one of those tomatoes.

HPSO Vice President Beth Winter and her mom. Note the signage about masks in the greenhouse. I love our people willing to play it safe.
Inside the greenhouse...


Back outdoors and a handsome Schefflera delavayi.
HPSO's new office director Beth Sorensen (L) and my partner in speaker program planning and scheduling, Zoe Nielsen (R).
Finally there I was, back where I started—at the back gate. What a FUN event—for those of you in the Portland area there's another HPSO After Hours coming up at Pomarius Nursery on Sept 2nd, 6-8pm—more info here.