Plant adoption opportunities in Portland this weekend

Some of you may remember previous danger garden posts on Dale Latham's garden—for example this post from April of 2022 or this one from August of 2020. Here's an image from that 2020 post...

Dale has long been someone I looked to for inspiration when it came to The Great Migration (moving plants inside in the autumn, and back out in the spring). His garden heroics made my work seem small by comparison. That said, Dale has decided to pare things back and wants to find new homes for some of his large exotics. I thought my readers would be interested to see what he's ready to part with, and so I am sharing them here. Take it away Dale:

Homeless Exotics for Homeless Seniors...

My name is Dale Latham and I have several medium-huge exotic plants which are more suited to southern California’s Mediterranean climate. I am looking for good adopters who promise to keep them from freezing during the winter and help them thrive year round. The plants are “free” but I ask adopters to contribute the suggested amounts to the Permanent Housing Fund at the Northwest Pilot Project: https://www.nwpilotproject.org/ NWPP finds permanent housing for homeless seniors in Multnomah County. Your donation is tax deductible and will be well-spent.

Plants are available to be viewed and adopted on Sunday August 27 from 1-5:00 at my home near NE 33rd and Fremont [in Portland], or by appointment after that. Contact me by email at daleslatham@gmail.com for directions, let me know if there are particular plants you are interested in.I will NOT be available to show plants prior to August 27 and will provide my address via email at noon on August 27. 

The plants:

1. Beaucarnea- Pony Tail Palm. This is a beautiful specimen that is about 45 years old and MUST be adopted by an experienced gardener. Total height 10’ in a 2’ high pot that is 3’ square. Very heavy but I can help move it. Needs winter protection from temps below about 28 degrees. (I have several double pane wood windows that could be used for a winter greenhouse too.). Suggested NWPP donation: $200. 

2. SOLD! Sago Palm. Total height is about 9’ in a 2’ high pot that is about 3’ in diameter. Age is about 45 years old. This is a beautiful specimen that is about 45 years old and MUST be adopted by an experienced gardener. Needs winter protection below about 28 degrees. Suggested NWPP donation: $200. I will help move it. It is easily moved with a pallet jack which I also own and will give up for an additional $50 donation to Northwest Pilot Project. 

3. Cymbidium Orchid. About 24” high in pot. Suggested NWPP donation:$15

4. Cymbidium Orchid. Yellow blossoms in Spring. About 14” high in pot. Suggested NWPP donation: $15

5. Aloe Vera. About 18” high in cloth pot. Blooms in summer. Suggested NWPP donation: $15

6. Bird of Paradise in large pot. 7-10 blooms in later winter or early spring. Suggested NWPP donation: $40

7. Tree fern. About 10 years old and 4’ high in pot. Suggested NWPP donation: $50

8. Agave attenuata. 18-24” in diameter and about 4’ high in pot. Suggested NWPP donation: $30 [first photo shows it as it is in the garden now, second photo shows it in an earlier over-wintering so you can see the pot/base]

9. Clivia. 2’  high in pot. Lovely orange/yellow blooms in Spring. Suggested NWPP donation: $20

10. SOLD! Hairy Old Man Cactus4’ high in cloth pot. Suggested NWPP donation: $20

11. Two privet topiaries (bunny and turkey) in ground. About 2’ high. These are hardy in Portland’s climate but they need a better home.  Suggested NWPP donation: $15 each.