Oh wait! That's right...my trip to the North West Flower and Garden Show was cancelled this year because of our freaky winter weather, so I missed all the garden show splendor. While my dear friends were emailing and posting pictures of the things at the show they knew I'd love (like this) I was scheming on a backup trip. Something I could do so I wouldn't feel sad and like I'd missed out. That's when I remembered a fabulous agave I'd passed up (that darn budget) just a couple weeks ago at Cistus (yes, I really can rationalize just about anything)...
Cistus is always an agave lovers paradise but right now things are even better as there are several gorgeous 3-gallon plants to choose from...
As well as the usual assortment of small "must-haves"...
Along the bottom there, on the ground...
Are lovely 3-gallon Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue'...one of which came home with me the last time I visited.
As did one of those white spiky Opuntia polyacantha.
Is there anything more beautiful than a perfect little agave? I think not.
This was the reason for my visit, Agave lophantha 'Splendida', reportedly hardy to zero (F) I think I'm going to put it in a big container that will stay outside during the winter...
Speaking of big containers this Echium candicans 'Star of Madeira' was outside when I visited late last fall. Good to see it came in for the winter.
Lots of blooms on the way!
Echium wildpretii x pininana
My new favorite astelia, A. 'Red Devil'...
It should share 'Red Gem's ability to cope with winter cold, and has even stronger color. Love it...
Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear', we used to be pretty tight, then death got in the way.
Echium wildpretii, who doesn't need a couple of these?
Look Louis, it's the palm corner!
What really caught my eye was the white undersides to the leaves on the plant in the container. A banksia?
Just like at the Flower and Garden Show there were things in bloom (only these weren't forced)...
I loved this plant last time I visited and did again this time. And just like last time I got distracted and forgot to take a photo of the label.
Okay...enough looking, time to purchase. Here's my haul from left to right: the sexy Agave lophantha 'Splendida', Agave havardiana (a surprisingly hard to find and very hardy agave), an Echium wildpretii and another Nolina 'La Siberica' which I will be planting in the front garden where the now dead puya has been. While I did go just a little bit crazy I still spent a lot less than if we would have gone to the show in Seattle (or so I'll tell the husband, I told you I was good at rationalizing)...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.