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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Wednesday Vignette

Can someone help me change my tire?

The tire iron is right there on the seat, you can't miss it!  Funny, my truck was brand new when I went into the nursery.

It's not a pretty truck but it gets me where I need to go and is much more reliable than my previous vehicles. 


Do you have any WD-40?  I'm sure that's all that this tractor needs to start right up again. 

These were taken in the parking lot of Portland Avenue Nursery.  Evidently people like to shop here for long periods of time.  

Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum.  Check out her Wednesday Vignette and those of other bloggers by clicking here.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Getting Ready for Old Man Winter

As our nights get cooler, it's time to start bringing in some of the tender plants that have had a summer vacation outside.  It's easier to do a few at a time than rush around and try to get them all inside when the weatherman announces the possibility of frost. Like it or not, old man winter is on his way.

These images are of two of the four faces on a pot that recently came home with me from Henry Hardware.
Moving the brugmansias inside leaves empty pots by the back door and we simply can't have that, can we?  I've been collecting a few plants for winter interest at the recent plant sales at local nurseries to fix the situation.  Here are some of the combinations I'm thinking of.  Notice that nothing is actually planted yet.  We're still having mix and match fun.

I love looking at heucheras but they usually get lost in my garden.  However, they do well for me in pots and are beautiful all winter long so why not?
The purple undersides of the leaves work well with the blue conifer and orange Carex testacea.  They also echo the color in the ornamental cabbage in a pot next to this one.

Maybe a deep purple heuchera would work better than this one.  I'll have to try that tomorrow.

Another pot, another option.  Loving that orange carex this year and this one looks nice mingling with the black mondo grass above it.

 Speaking of black and orange, This Libertia ixioides 'Tricolor' looks great with the mondo grass.  
We're very fortunate to live in a climate where we can have colorful plants in pots year round!  Do you do seasonal pots?  I know Linda does!  See her beautiful pots here.  Happy fall planting everyone!

Monday, September 28, 2015

The Garden of Deborah and Ralph Cheadle

Standing down by Commencement Bay watching the eclipse of the super moon last night in several layers of clothing, I certainly missed the warmth of summer!  Let's go back to a warm August first visit to the Bainbridge Island garden of Debora and Ralph Cheadle.  That should warm us up nicely. Of course, a nice hot beverage and a blanket will help so you may wish to have those handy as you read this.


"A bungalow garden on two acres on the south end of Bainbridge, developed over 38 years, combines the structure of clipped boxwoods and yew hedges with an organic flow of flagstone, brick, and stepping-stone paths, leading the visitor through carefully planted mixed borders."

One of the many things I admire about this garden is the spacious garden rooms that differ greatly in style while not seeming disjunct.  Instead, they flow effortlessly together forming an amazing and satisfying whole.

The sphere is a consistent element in the Cheadle garden. 


Rather than jumping out at you, the objects here are placed so that they must be discovered, sort of like an egg hunt for adults.  Unfortunately, it's poor form to bring a basket (or wheelbarrow) to an open garden and collect garden art to take home.  Fortunately, picture taking is usually not frowned upon and one can take away many ideas.

The areas nearest the house are planted in a more relaxed and intimate style. Can you find the sphere in this picture?

And more.

Thoughtfully-placed statuary is a highlight of the more formal areas of the garden. 

"A pond, installed in the mid 90's by Little and Lewis is overhung with a weeping Katsura"






"The intimacy of this bungalow garden doubles the surprise when one arrives at that long vista and park-like setting of lawn, mixed borders and towering firs at the back of the property."


One steps up from a  formal room with a yew hedge and grape arbor.  Can you see the giant spheres in the shadow?


Deborah told me that her garden was not a place where there were lots of cool plants but rather was all about vistas.  I both agree and disagree with her.  There are, indeed, many excellent vistas but there are also tons of cool plants!


Like this Azara microphylla variegata glowing in the sun.

Up the steps and through the arch one is treated to a huge expanse of lawn flanked by very deep mixed borders.

Approaching the Spheres.



Looking back at the house.


Mahonias have great evergreen foliage and  are always doing something interesting - blooming, fruiting, growing, A great group of plants!

At the end of the long lawn, the path becomes more rustic and leads into the forest. 

I never tire of seeing towering firs (and cedar and hemlock...Okay, I like a backdrop of tall conifers, probably because I don't have one in my own garden)


Aren't they lovely?





 Speaking of cool plants, how about this Itea ilicifolia?   Many of us fell in love with this plant at Bella Madrona where the specimen is grown as a shrub/small tree.  This treatment is quite effective as well.

"Arbors, statues, and years of plant acquisition, siting and editing combine to make entering this garden an experience that captures the visitor's attention and holds it for the duration."
Thank you so much Deborah and Ralph for opening your beautiful garden for so many of us to enjoy!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Random Friday

Cyclamen hederifolium and coum from Bouquet Banque at the Heronswood sale.  That's a lot of cyclamen!


I brought home some of these silver-leaved bauties.

Others had larger aspirations. 

A glimpse into the woods near Sundquist Nursery.

Some of my favorite natives, moss, Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern) and Oxalis oregana. All delightfully evergreen!

More from Sundquist.

So many luscious layers.


Cool broken pot at Vassey.

Pink Cordyline at Henry Hardware in Kingston.

A couple of huge pots of this labeled only Agave parryi  were also spied at Henry Hardware.  Yes, Loree, there's always an agave. Look at that marvy variegation!

Finally, a dear friend posted this on facebook. Raise your hand if you're a real gardener.

GrowVeg's photo.