garden caper, with metalwork
I love a challenge, especially when combined with bargain hunting. Last week, gardening pal Alan posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew a good source for metalwork to use in the garden. Say no more.
plants to make a garden sing
I cannot get over the thrill of plants emerging in spring, tender vibrant leaves bursting forth from earth. And it happens every year. How is nature so smart? Also every year, I’m taken by surprise when I swoon over flowers. I claim I garden primarily for foliage. But you know what? It’s a damn lie.
A visit to Dancing Oaks Nursery
Last week I shared photos from a visit to Sebright Gardens, this week we venture on to Dancing Oaks Nursery in Monmouth, Oregon. For those who live in Portland Dancing Oaks is a bit of a destination nursery — about an hour and a half south of town. It’s a beautiful drive though, once you get off the interstate.
Spring: come here, go there, fly with all you might.
Don’t you love this time of year, that is if you’re not still buried in snow. I’m so sorry for those yet battling dastardly weather. We had a mild winter in the Pacific Northwest, and that means all manner of things are bursting from the earth.
A visit to Sebright Gardens
As I may have mentioned, one (or twelve) times before, in Oregon we are rich with independent nurseries. We have so many to chose from it’s almost mind-boggling. Last week I had a chance to visit a couple in the Salem area, south of Portland, ones I only get to once a season — if that. Today we’ll look at Sebright Gardens and next week I’ll share photos from Dancing Oaks Nursery. (more…)
springtime plant lust
I’ve got it. How about you? What’s are you pining for? My problem is remembering what I want in the face of so many temptations when I actually do make it to the nursery. I’m dazzled by the abundance. And, of course, the pesky brain injury, blah blah, no help there either. (In truth, I was a tad ADD before the smack to the head; now I’m ADD supersized. Every place feels like Powell’s Bookstore.) I so envy people who can keep it all straight.
New plants! (they just showed up on my doorstep)
We have such a wealth of amazing nurseries here in the Pacific Northwest that I’ll admit to not doing much online plant shopping. While it’s fun to browse, I usually default to visiting a local establishment where I am seduced by the plants that surround me. However what happens when there’s a certain plant I simply must have and I can’t find it locally? An online order is placed, post haste! (more…)
A groovy plant: Rhodocoma capensis
Rhodocoma capensis aka Cape Restio is described by our friends at Xera Plants thusly: “Light textured perennial from South Africa, this species forms a 6′ fountain of stems like giant green feather dusters. Resembles bamboo and grass—though related to neither. Full sun in well drained acid soil–amend with bark, no fertilizer or compost. Regular H2O. Dies to the ground below 15 °F. Returns from the base in spring.”
Never say never, redux
I am a long time proponent of the one-plant-per-pot style of container gardening. Even with succulents I prefer to keep it simple and let that one strong plant stand alone — all the better to appreciate its features. However as I’ve said before (for example here) never say never… (more…)
blades of garden: earning their keep
I admit, I’ve been avoiding the garden, Oh, it’s been warm enough to be out there, and I’m at least keeping my bird feeders full. The problem is, every time I go out there, I see weeds. And I’m not done with my inside projects. So many test colors on so many wall. Ai yi yi.
The picture atop this post is from several seasons ago in my Alameda Hellstrip. I loved that combination, especially the Phormium, which is sadly no longer with us.
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