This post focuses on some
of the most beautiful plants seen in multiple gardens during the
Puget Sound Garden Fling. Well, the most beautiful to me, anyway.
Even Flingers who were committed anti-Hydrangers appeared to be having second thoughts.
Many of the gardens had Crocosmia...'Lucifer'?
Fabulous lilies!
Conifers--native, exotic, collector's...
Many more--I guess I'll need to do a part two to this post.
Great photos, HB! Your closeups of the Hydrangeas are wonderful. I've been trying to figure out where I can put one in my garden where it won't immediately drop dead. And I've already pre-ordered the 'Zeba' lily I fixated on.
ReplyDeleteHydrangeas need a good amount of water to get established. Something to consider. The long-established ones in this garden did surprisingly well during the drought.
DeleteThat lily was very glamorous! They all were, really.
I love this post! You perfectly capture how spectacular (and exotic) these plants were to us California gardeners.
ReplyDeleteThe moisture level was certainly exotic! The towering conifers very different, very dramatic, and humbling.
DeleteOh yes, those are definitely stars. The blues in some of the blooms are magical shades...and the lilies...and the scenes...wow! Of course, your photography is stunning!
ReplyDeleteEasy to get a good photo of plants so gorgeous!
DeleteBeautiful, your photos are so much better than mine. The hydrangeas and lilies were stunning - so fun to experience plants that would simply burn out here.
ReplyDeleteSeeing confers that were not partially bald and not scorched--that was refreshingly different!
DeleteOoh yes, I admired all of these too. Great photos! Thanks for rounding these moments up in one beautiful blog post.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful plants--it sure was a fun experience.
DeleteWow - that Hydrangea hydrangeoides is stunning! As one of people who finds quite a few hydrangeas somewhat ugly, I think what I have realized is that it depends on how they are grown and on their plant companions. Most of the hydrangeas I see in west central Oregon are wilted, scorched messes or the colors are too contrasty and artificial. I also realized that most of the hydrangeas I don't like are the older varieties of Hydrangea macrophyllum. Definitely not a fan of turquoise when paired with pink perched on top of brown and yellow foliage. The hydrangeas we saw on the tour were well cared for and I thought more natural and better suited for the gardens that they were in. It was nice to see them used in a way that helped me to appreciate them more fully. Sometimes that's all it takes. Right plant, right place.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see a single wilted scorched one during the Fling. That was a joy in itself. I've seen a few around here. Yes indeed, right plant + right place = beauty!
DeleteHydrangea are one of those plants I tend to not really see, just sort of glossing over them. Everyone's excitement during the Fling definitely had me noticing them. They also helped to drive home the fact that while we're all in the area called the Pacific Northwest Portland's climate is definitely hotter and drier than that of the areas we toured. And perhaps these gardeners are more willing to water as needed.
ReplyDeleteI love the Hydrangea foliage--its very different from most of what is happy in my region. The new dark leaved cultivars with their washes of black over green--we wants one!
DeleteI did notice the difference between the Puget Sound area and the Portland area. Strangely, it seemed more mossy in Portland, and yet the lawns were browner. The stronger ocean influence in Puget Sound must be a factor.