Garden events are not gardening
The local garden show was this week; the garden was on a garden tour; I visited other gardens. In other words, it's spring and at times actual gardening gets interfered with. Not that it isn't wonderful to visit other gardens. This one in particular, loaded with roses, is a favorite. A mass of the beautiful Austin 'Brother Cadfael':
'Carding Mill'
A fabulous hedge of 'William Shakespeare 2000' and 'The Dark Lady':
I decided for my other garden visits to leave the camera at home and just enjoy the beauty of the day, the cheery company, the wonderful gardens. That was great, but cameras capture memories better than distracted social visits do. It was fun, though.
Then there was the local garden show at the shopping mall down the freeway. Sort of "meh" this year--poor hunting, I might say. Lots and lots of succulent and orchid vendors, not so much of anything else. One vendor did have the weeping Japanese Maple 'Ryusen' I bought at a local big box--for three times the price I paid for it. The display gardens were tasteful--cautious, even--and ran almost exclusively to a Zen-like setting of foliage plants and Acer palmatums. Nothing wrong with that, but a lot of the same idea. There was one horrifically gaudy offering of "annual color" crammed together into a pattern that reminded me a little too much of my own confetti-factory style, but I sort of liked it because it was so different from all the rest. No pictures of that, either.
I did pick up a few small plants due to a gift card (Thanks, ladies!) and due to the garden show. I've killed Angel Pelargoniums in the past--my idea of well-drained soil is most people's idea of the Sahara desert. More water this time.
Angel Pelargonium 'Aurelia':
Senecio stapeliiformis 'Kilimanjaro'
Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa', the suddenly popular 'Sweet Pea Bush' from South Africa. Everywhere I've seen it, it looks great. When I saw it for sale in a 4" pot, I took the bait. I even have a spot for it.
From the garden show, Aloe krapohliana v. dumoulinii. This particular vendor had exquisitely pristine plants at rather high prices. The little clumping Aloe was a decent price--the variegated Agave parrasana I was drooling over is destined for someone else's garden. Aloe krapohliana var dumoulinii (can I call it Aloe krapo for short?) likes dry conditions; I have plenty of those available:
Speaking of Agave parrasana, I got a plain version at a reasonable price. Gorgeous enough, even without variegation.
Natasha who got dropped off at the Vet for a bath and comb-out while Dog-Mommy went out plant hunting, wasn't the least bit impressed.
The local garden show was this week; the garden was on a garden tour; I visited other gardens. In other words, it's spring and at times actual gardening gets interfered with. Not that it isn't wonderful to visit other gardens. This one in particular, loaded with roses, is a favorite. A mass of the beautiful Austin 'Brother Cadfael':
'Carding Mill'
A fabulous hedge of 'William Shakespeare 2000' and 'The Dark Lady':
I decided for my other garden visits to leave the camera at home and just enjoy the beauty of the day, the cheery company, the wonderful gardens. That was great, but cameras capture memories better than distracted social visits do. It was fun, though.
Then there was the local garden show at the shopping mall down the freeway. Sort of "meh" this year--poor hunting, I might say. Lots and lots of succulent and orchid vendors, not so much of anything else. One vendor did have the weeping Japanese Maple 'Ryusen' I bought at a local big box--for three times the price I paid for it. The display gardens were tasteful--cautious, even--and ran almost exclusively to a Zen-like setting of foliage plants and Acer palmatums. Nothing wrong with that, but a lot of the same idea. There was one horrifically gaudy offering of "annual color" crammed together into a pattern that reminded me a little too much of my own confetti-factory style, but I sort of liked it because it was so different from all the rest. No pictures of that, either.
I did pick up a few small plants due to a gift card (Thanks, ladies!) and due to the garden show. I've killed Angel Pelargoniums in the past--my idea of well-drained soil is most people's idea of the Sahara desert. More water this time.
Angel Pelargonium 'Aurelia':
Senecio stapeliiformis 'Kilimanjaro'
Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa', the suddenly popular 'Sweet Pea Bush' from South Africa. Everywhere I've seen it, it looks great. When I saw it for sale in a 4" pot, I took the bait. I even have a spot for it.
From the garden show, Aloe krapohliana v. dumoulinii. This particular vendor had exquisitely pristine plants at rather high prices. The little clumping Aloe was a decent price--the variegated Agave parrasana I was drooling over is destined for someone else's garden. Aloe krapohliana var dumoulinii (can I call it Aloe krapo for short?) likes dry conditions; I have plenty of those available:
Speaking of Agave parrasana, I got a plain version at a reasonable price. Gorgeous enough, even without variegation.
Natasha who got dropped off at the Vet for a bath and comb-out while Dog-Mommy went out plant hunting, wasn't the least bit impressed.
I think agave parasana is an under-rated agave. It seems to be passed over for the more trendy varieties.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will get more popular. I've never seen a mature specimen around here and am looking forward to some Agave Eye-Candy from it, eventually.
DeleteOoh, I'd like to see more of that Senicio 'Kilimanjaro' -- so much more my style than the Angel Pelargonium shown above it.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about leaving the camera at home sometimes. :)
Yes, camera-less is a whole different experience, isn't it?
DeleteThe comment about your idea of well drained soil had me in stiches! If you tell Natasha that you're treating her to a day of beauty, she might be more interested. It's all in how you sell it.
ReplyDeleteFor Natasha, (to mangle Keats), Food is Beauty, Beauty, food.
DeleteAh, Jerome's garden looking beautiful! He at one point thought that the hedge was underperforming. Guess it just needed a few years to prove itself.
ReplyDelete