PLANT CAPERS. About 2 years ago, I was on a morning run and saw that a ponytail palm had been left by the sidewalk. It was very rootbound and in a cracked terra cotta pot. I was in the middle of a slope "re-do" at the time, clearing out for cacti & succulents (just above the pool at the time). I ran by it a few days in a row and thought "why not" left a note -are you getting rid of this plant, I'd pay you for it. They texted back the same day- just take it, you can have it!
It's amazing to see how much this has grown over just a couple years. I good reminder for me to be patient.
Close to the day of planting, I believe when I actually did the ginger rocks? The silver torches are so small!
Acacia(s) cousin itt got super scorched this year from a week of triple digits- I've trimmed out some of the damage, hopefully they recover over the winter. I found a shot of adding the Yucca rostrata - I believe Ivan dug the hole for this. In true Ivan fashion, he dug a hole to China that we backfilled.
I'm wondering if you have any plant capers, deals of the century you've had? *I currently have my eye on a multiple headed golden barrel in a pot in a front yard, should I leave a note?
Also, yesterday I took out Snuffleupagus (the shop vac) - to suck up all the debris in the grooves of the stamped concrete patio. It's the only way to get the job done, sweeping just doesn't do it. I had the bright idea to suck up the pine needles from the Redwood - that was working well for 4 minutes before they clogged snuffy's tube. Oh well, I did have good luck cleaning the agaves & aloes of spider webs & debris - the teeth rip up the gloves when I try by hand - and bulky gloves are too cumbersome, I don't get anywhere using them.
You're truly a plant-infatuated gardener. I can't think of any similar plant capers on my part, unless I count removing all the lawn we inherited with the garden. It was originally between 2/3rds and 3/4ths grass when we moved in and we dug the majority of it out in increments by hand after 2 small attempts to have the sod stripped away by "professionals" failed to rid us of it.
ReplyDeletePlant infatuated, I like that! Removing lawn is a chore - I did a good amount of that as well. Probably the only garden chore I dreaded, moving the lawn. I know some people enjoy it, I just do NOT. *I removed the very looooong parking strip of grass at our last house in Oregon. We were on a corner, I have no idea how many feet long, but considerable. I filled it with gorgeous ground covers, stones and bulbs. After we sold the house, the new owners pulled it all out and filled it - with grass again! hahaha, to each their own! *At least the neighbors told me they preferred my look.
DeleteSo beautiful. I'd love to set my garden and yard like this.
ReplyDeleteThant is a lovely compliment, thank you. I constantly see what I want to change, I need to stop and enjoy what is good.
DeleteDid you read the post about a friend and I moving five huge Yucca rostrata? That was probably my biggest caper. http://www.thedangergarden.com/2022/09/meet-holman-my-adopted-yucca-rostrata.html
ReplyDeleteThen there was the car full of free plants I picked up back in the beginning of September. Yep, plant capers are the best! I love your ponytail palm, the size and shape of it is fantastic.
Ha! I have read the free plant post - but now I will go pour over the post about moving FIVE Yucca rostra. A true caper!
DeleteThose silver torch cacti and the Y. rostrata in particular look great! Especially backlit. Backlighting is one thing I never considered before I started gardening--now it's a major thing to place plants so they sparkle and glow at various times of the day.
ReplyDeletePlant capers--can't say I've ever found any giveaway plant worth taking around here. Does digging out tree stumps by myself count?
I'd say digging out tree stumps definitely counts, that's a big job! I love what you said about lighting - it's true. I'm continually playing around with it.
DeleteI saved a very large staghorn fern, attached to a metal chair, from the curb on trash day. Owner said it came with the house and she thought it was ugly!
ReplyDeleteWhat, I love that!
DeleteThat was a lovely find. Shocking how much things change in a short amount of time. As a kid, I used to get many houseplants and houseplant books from the apartment dumpsters. I was surprised by the number of perfectly good plants that people would throw away because - I dunno - people just got bored of them?! Some of my most memorable plant capers involved my grandmother. Whenever we were in a store or restaurant with houseplants on display, and she saw something she liked, she would get this gleam in her eye, and suddenly her hand would dart out, snag a cutting, and boop - off it would go into her shirt sleeve, purse, or bra...
ReplyDelete