Reminiscing of Summer: A Danger Garden

With our temperatures dropping into the teens this past weekend, I'm trying to accept the fact that some plants may have suffered a bit of damage or may be totally toast. At times, no matter how much you try protect or bring in, you'll always endure a bit of damage, but how much depends on just how far below freezing we get and how soon. Luckily, we didn't have a abrupt cold snap like a few years ago, but rather than whine and complain about how cold it is, I'd like to look back and be reminded of a most awesome summer and a wonderful trip down to Portland, OR (which, sadly, endured snow and much colder temperatures the past few days).  One garden was an exceptional treat and also one I'm a tad bit worried about after our freeze, but should it pull through this season, it is one fine collection by a woman who's getting quite a readership on her blog, "Danger Garden".


This is the garden of Loree Bohl:


Driving by, it's very apparent which is Loree's garden. Beautifully kept with interesting plants and big, bold textures dominate the space and, immediately, you know you're looking at a plant person's garden. Various cacti and succulents are dressed carefully with a layer of gravel  giving each specimen importance and aiding in much needed drainage. The ginormous 'Steroidal Giant' rice paper plant is a true "indicator" plant of a plant nut in the Pacific Northwest.

Growing it in somewhat of a dryer area may be smart for the plant as it has a tendency to really run. The pavement and gravel probably help it to wake up in spring much earlier as it often takes a full growing season to get this size of leaves!

 I came with plant friends Justin Galicic, Preston Pew and Matt Berberich to see Loree's remarkable garden and all three have heard of her blog and were so eager to meet her in person and see her amazing garden. She was so very welcoming and had a wonderful time dissecting the many elements of her fine garden. Not only were there cool plants, there were interesting combinations and a wonderful use of space (especially in the rear garden).

Loree is a gardener who likes to experiment; texture and dramatic form captivate her and her selections and it truly shows. There are rare plants and there are common plants as well aimed to complete a striking look. It isn't wild and over the top. There's room for plants to expand and grow and I sense a wonderful pacing of edits along the way.

A striking Agave in the foreground (left) and the beautifully placed Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffins' with its peeling bark backlit.

A young Yucca rostrata

A striking combination of Nolina nelsonii with Canna 'Australia' backlit in the background.

  

Hardy prickly-pear Opuntias are abundant

Make your way to the back and a treasure trove of wonderful plants await! I loved the sense of a welcome by one of my most favorite broadleaf evergreen shrubs of all time, the rare Fatsia polycarpa with its long petioles and deeply, palmately lobed leaves.  And then everywhere you eye looked was a great plant. The square pavers and even the lawn was a very important feature of this space as it allowed the visitor to enter the space, give it a sense of grandeur thus allowing the eye to rest while it transition through another room.

 

 

The use of containers in this garden was quite affective. There may be too many for most people's liking because of the tedious watering some may require, but the fact that more are succulents or air plants, they lend themselves to being forgotten while they look spectacular as accents all summer long.

 

A series of sitting areas makes this garden wonderful both as an intimate space where one can decide just how much exposure they'd like and as an entertainment space to spread a crowd out so the details of each element can be appreciated and admired. 

Our sincerest thanks to Loree for sharing her wonderful garden with us and may the rest of winter be kinder until next spring as we determine what's made it and what we'll have to purchase again. =(

I'm sure all the containers came inside, but the majority of her garden should be alright knowing the lengths we (including Loree) go through to protect our "marginals", we refer to them as. 




Oh, I must throw in that she's also a Tillandsia freak like myself. I adore her compositions and, yes, even an arrangemnt in the bathroom captivated me!

Well done, Loree!


Riz

Putting the Garden in the Playgarden!

It's taken me awhile to post this because I'm getting constant reminders about this event from all my peers and I really wanted to be sure that I only post events I, personally, care about and aim to fully support.

My friend, colleague, and garden/container design extraordinaire, Wendy Welch, introduced me to this project a few months ago and explained her involvement with the Seattle Children's Playgarden. Being developed in a neighborhood that hasn't always had the best reputation, I was amazed at the progress they've made in developing a space where children can feel safe and engaged with the multitude of potential activities the garden will offer.



Now, in encouraging the next generation of gardeners, this is definitely a great place to get them started or at the very least, peak their interest so their awareness of the community and environment is nurtured properly. For this very reason, I feel like I have to offer my support and contribute somehow.



On May 22nd, they are holding an auction to help raise money for the garden. I was asked to design two small container plantings and a selection of VERY RARE PLANTS from my nursery to be auctioned off that night. I hope people take notice, place a high bid on the wonderful items they're offering, such as:

* Lunch with renowned plant explorer, Dan Hinkley, at his garden, Windcliff.
* Wine with Ciscoe in his garden along with a tour of his plant collection.
* A chicken coop with chicks — and an expert to help
* Pots designed by Seattle’s hottest garden designers (including Wendy and moi!)
* Spas — Restaurants — Events for kids
* Private flight to Vashon Island for wine tasting

See, there's lots of wine involved. You should totally go! heehehe

Visit the Seattle Children's Playgarden website for way more information and details about the auction.


I sincerely hope they get enough attendees for the auction. It's $65 a pop and money's really tight for most everyone. They have about 70 people signed up to attended, but their goal was 150. Now, they're aiming for at least 100 people to attend.

Visit their website to find out more about the auction and the garden itself and please find a way to make a contribution! It just feels good knowing that the next generations of gardeners have a solid foundation and they have you to thank.

Why I love spring...

Even with the never-ending work load and constant demands for my time that appear out of nowhere, I love what spring has to bring and offer the gardener. It's a time of emergence, a time of unexpected surprises, and a reinvigorated spirit within oneself that is eager to explore the sumptuous bounty of nature's ethereal magic as the season unfurls before our eyes.

My infatuation with the species tulips

Though the cause of my anger and frustration as they've been devoured by mice and squirrels this winter and spring, the bold survivors pulled through to produce a show that makes me weak and compelled to place another early season pre-order for bulbs to be delivered this fall.

I've raved about Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Ancilla' in previous posts, but there's still a few beginning to bloom and a few more to follow in the next couple of weeks.


Tulipa 'Juan' (Fosteriana type)
Think intense, sultry, and undeniably hot; these are words not typically used to describe spring's delicately innocent flowers, but one look of this seductively sexy tulip and you're at a lost for words. Fiery orange with a hint of warm yellow and the cooling calm foliage with just the faintest hint of clean, purple-gray lines for a somewhat understated, but compelling presence. Yeah.....that was a little over top. AAAANNNNYWAY....pretty tulip.



Tulipa 'Little Beauty'
Certainly living up to its name, this little charmer is the cutest thing to pop out of the garden in mid-April as the cherry red blossoms pop open to reveal a faint blue center, painted black markings and a halo of violet-pink.


Tulipa praestans 'Unicum'
Often mistaken for an emerging hosta, this unusual tulip looks great all spring as the pale green leaves are gilded with a wide creamy margin and out of nowhere, pops a intensely red bud that, to the surprise of many who encounter it, is just one of several buds on this multi-flowering species.

Being able grow and nurture these lovely gems is certainly gratifying, but to be able to share springs vibrant color and blooms with others is wonderfully fulfilling.

On Easter Sunday, I asked my oldest niece, Alex, to help me carry my flats of unsold daffodils to my brothers house. I asked her to cut the flowers to put in a vase to decorate the dinner table.



My youngest nephew, Jean Paolo, peeked out the window wondering what we were doing and insisted that he take part.



So he did and carefully arranged them in the vase. =)




Spring is certainly a time where, as the weather improves, everyone gathers. The past few weeks have included barbecues, family get-togethers (more than usual), garden work and potting parties, and the occasional bonfire or two.

At a local pea-patch in Seattle.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a cozy get together with several of the graduate students at CUH. Not only were they fun people to be around with, they were also avid gardeners. Even at night I enjoyed perusing the wood chip paths to see their perennial and vegetable beds, but what compelled me most was the humble gathering of people surrounding a warm and welcoming fire.

With a simple burning fire (and firewood they've dubbed as "PANTS"), I am so enthused to design my garden around one.



Even if for myself, it's so incredibly relaxing and, hey, should the right person come along, it could even be quite romantic.


=)