Have we complained enough? It’s been wet here in Portland, way beyond the norm, as in over 10.22″ since the beginning of December, where as normal would be 2.80″. Before the month is over (there’s nothing but rain in the forecast) we will have set an all time record for monthly rainfall. Weather like this is not conducive to time spent outside. We rush out of the house and to the car, then reverse. Or – should the dog need to go out – it’s a purposeful stroll, no gawking. All of this is to say what I’ve seen of my garden is from the house, or briefly while walking the dog. I am thankful for these vantage points that keep me somewhat connected.
This is the view from our front glass “security” door. I open the wooden door as much as possible, that way there’s more light and I have a better view of the garden.
Plants I keep an eye on from the house include: Dasylirion wheeleri, cozied up to Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Sentinel’
Brachyglottis greyi (Senecio greyi), I’ve got a couple of these – this one is growing in an interesting, slightly congested, pattern.
Echium wildpretii, I’m trying not to let myself get too attached to the idea all five of my plants might live to bloom next year. But what if…
Looking back towards the front garden from the public sidewalk.
If you enter through the back door there’s a potted Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ on the step. The leaves look a little tropical and the berries add color.
I am quite worried about my in-ground Agaves – they’ve been through several winters, some with spine-chilling cold, others with snow and ice, but none this wet. The only potted Agave out there permanently experiencing it all is this A. weberi…so far so good, but it can’t be happy about the moisture (the little guys on the right are only there temporarily).
This is random. I’d cut back a bunch of Sedum (S. palmeri, I think) and didn’t want to just toss them, yet didn’t have the time to plant them. My answer was to toss the cuttings in with the bamboo, in a stock tank in the driveway. They quickly took root and have made quite a nice planting…
Looking out the bedroom window I see this Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’ and Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nanus’.
I’m sure I’ve written about Pyrrosia lingua ‘Variegata’ before, but just so you know it also stands up to a wet winter…
What’s that? A touch of fleeting sun as I aim the camera at Melianthus major ‘Antonow’s Blue’. It’s preparing to take over the world, but since I’m still enjoying the show it’ll be allowed to stay for now. To be cut back in February-ish.
Eriobotrya japonica, those pleated (evergreen) leaves really are beautiful, and this plant is finally topping the fence height. I think next year I’ll limb it up and plant underneath it, like it’s a real tree!
The Lysimachia paridiformis var. stenophylla is looking uncharacteristically good this year. Usually by now I would have cut it all back, but (even if I had been able to get outside to work in the garden, which I’ve not) it’s looking festive.
Aspidistra elatior, shows some sun and drought damage from this summer. Hopefully it’s enjoying the rain.
Finally, the Daphniphyllum macropodum is strutting it’s winter glow, and it’s tall enough I can see it from the house.
With this post I’m joining the Foliage Follow-up meme. The 16th of every month Pam at Digging hosts a round up of our favorite foliage plants in the garden … especially important in December.