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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.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Molbak's visits the desert southwest - More Fun with Alison

Our second stop (Flower World was actually the third) on the Lassie and Outlaw nursery hop was Molbak's in Woodenville.  Their notoriously huge offering of holiday decor of all kids (oops, that should have been of all kinds- thanks Danger.) is a bit overwhelming in one sitting so today, we'll look at some things from arid areas.

That huge opuntia was a serious temptation but the price made me think twice.  Perhaps it'll still be there during the January houseplant sale.

Alison grabbed one of these variegated aloes just about to burst into bloom.  One would have come home with me too if one didn't already live with me.


Oh, that blue color!



Look, glochids that don't come off in your skin!



Pretty good looking faux cacti.

Chrysanthemums aren't really desert plants but the colors suggest the southwest.







These imitation plants require no care whatsoever.  I wish you an equally carefree time as the crush of holiday activities and preparations begins.


Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Wednesday Vignette - A Moment of Peace


It seems like as soon as Thanksgiving is over an explosion of holiday preparations ignites.  Today I'm enjoying looking at this peaceful picture taken on a walk in the park a few weeks ago and soaking up the calm. 
Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and hum.  Click here to join in the fun.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Fun With Alison Part 2 - Flower World

There's always a lot happening at Flower World, a fifteen-acre nursery where they grow 90% of what they sell.  The weather was a bit brisk but fortunately, three of those acres are covered with huge greenhouses. 

I couldn't resist the kale sale.



While nearly all of the dahlias outside are pretty much past it, greenhouse magic kept these potted bloomers safe from the wind and rain.  So tempting!



Seasons collide as autumn color meets winter greens.

Potted paperwhites will be bursting into fragrant bloom before you know it. 

I've been stuffing sugar pumpkins with onions, garlic, walnuts, figs, and apple, baking for an hour and enjoying the result tremendously.

This sweet-faced pansy decided to come home with me to stuff a pot for winter. 

 A cheerful color combination. 



A few of these dried hydrangeas came home with me.  They're one of my favorite dried flowers and I tend to keep them around for years.

Alison showing off her nice Aspidistra.  

While I love nurseries that carry lots of holiday tinsel, gegaws, baubles, etc. to add to the carnival of Christmas, I greatly admire Flower World for concentrating on growing things.

Tempting but there's no room at the inn  in the greenhouse. 




An effective pairing.

Beautiful in bloom.  Perhaps there'll still be one left in January when all plants go on sale here. 

This 'Assorted Cacti' with the spiral growing habit may have jumped into my cart.  

Cordyline terminalis 'Tricolor' is so gorgeous but they never stay that way at my house so none came home with us.

Four inch pots were all BOGO and there were many temptations. 


Oh the nerve!

 My favorite place to be in the winter is in one of the well-heated tropical houses.  


Like a siren,  the vibrant color of Philodendron 'Orange Prince'caught our eyes from quite a distance.


Bougainvillea 'Raspberry Ice'  looking glorious in hanging pots.  


Pineapple anyone?

Delphiniums used to grow like weeds for me in my Alaska garden but don't seem to like my garden here.  I see fabulous specimens in the gardens of others in the area. If I ever were to cut down the giant timber bamboo, it would be to have space in the sun to grow delphiniums.

Schizostylis coccinea 'Oregon Sunset' is a favorite that also doesn't seem to last long in my crowded garden. 


As I, late as usual, set out to Alison's place, I realized that I'd forgotten my camera.  No time to go back so I used my phone . 


Here in the Acers palmatum is where the battery died so we'll end our Flower World visit here.  Here's a tip, phone chargers must be plugged in to work.  Funny thing that.