How much fun is it to say Banana Canna. Right up there with Sambucus. This post has nothing to do with Sambucus–aside from the delight in saying its name. Sambucus was my first deliberate Latin plant name utterance. Megan taught me when she urged me to buy a lacy Fern Leaf Elderberry. That plant got big and gorgeous. No worries. The new peeps poisoned it and it is long gone. I will not be bitter, I swear.
Canna musafolia aka Banana Canna is not only fun to say, it’s leaves are big, dramatic, and it sways romantically in the breeze. You’ll think you’re on vacation. (more…)
Okay. I understand the concept of continued maintenance. But dear lord, am I ever going to look out there and not see a mess? Is it like that for everyone? Or is this my particular mental health issue? Our youngest kid had a birthday in July. We celebrated at a favorite haunt, Santa Fe Taqueria on NW 23rd in Portland. Yes, that’s an Oregon Weedery sign in the background. Across the street the other direction, the perpetual line at Salt & Straw Ice Creamery.
I count Aralia californica aka Elk Clover in the cheap thrills department. This baby was planted two years ago and it grew to four feet its first season. It’s winter deciduous, lending to its fresh, airy look come spring and into summer. Mine is sandwiched between our tropical-themed patio garden, and the shade bed under the apple tree. It makes the transition with aplomb.
I don’t know how one tells a story about Huntington Gardens. I’m overwhelmed every time I try to sort photos into some logical order. I could make a career of studying the plants here–and which are likely to grow together naturally. Visiting this garden raised so many questions.
Thusly, I’ll give you pictures. For now, they can tell their own dang story.
Recently the Heldreths held an open garden for fellow bloggers. We’d seen snippets of Laura & Charlie Heldreth’s garden in photographs, but most of us had not visited in person–and never en masse. If you’re a plant nerd, you know there is nothing better than kibitzing with other gardeners. No worries about dirt under your fingernails in this crowd. (more…)
Oh boy, talk about a good thing, and perchance too much of it? The jury is out. But if year one is any indication, Flamingo Park, we may have a problem.
