The Testa-Vought Garden, a stop on the 2013 Garden Blogger’s Fling...

This garden was the last stop on a (long, hot) Saturday of garden fun last June. We were told the garden was designed by Bernard Trainor (a little name dropping, understandable) but it was obvious from the moment we stepped foot in the garden this was also a space loved and utilized by the home owners. Of course I started snapping photos the moment we got off the bus, out on the street.

But things really got interesting once we went behind the wall…

Yes this is a walled garden, something I covet dearly.

While it starts off tame, even a little sparse...

It gradually ramps up the excitement level...

Until you come face to face with this...

Oh California...

I'm not sure the kitty shared my California love on this hot day.

Scott and Peter, they seem to have shown up in a few of my photos from the Fling.

Going through and editing these photos now, 9 months post-Fling, this image (below) filled my heart with joy. Why? I remember everything in every garden as being the very picture of perfection. Not a leaf out of place...but look! There is debris in the plant, on the gravel top dressing and the surrounding paving. My garden is going to be a stop on the Portland Fling this summer and I can say with great confidence there will be a lot more of this, and a lot less perfection. May everyone look with a forgiving (and understanding) eye.

Monster Agave attenuata!

And that banksia! I presumed to know which it was at one time, but now I'm just confused by its beauty.

Amazing.

Oh hey, here's something I can grow! Eryngium, not sure which one.

Okay it's time to leave, I've retracing my steps towards the front.

But not before I look up and spy another monster Pineapple Guava. Wow, these really are trees.

It was the bloom that gave it away.

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.