Well I'm a little late, the deck was finished Thursday and I'm finally getting around to posting pictures today (Sunday).
I've purchased the wood slats to attach to the beams to create the lath (laugh) house- and a piece of douglas fir to attach to the top of the retaining wall, for pots and to set a glass of wine on. But first, I need to get the roof on.
You can see better with this pic, there is a perfect spot to put a slab of wood across the top of the retaining wall.
The stairs are nice and wide, I wasn't sure at first but they are "right". Particularly since I asked for no hand railing. There will be slats there on the left, I thought that would be fine.
A nice area for planting what? something for privacy. Not messy, fast growing, stays green year round.
My heart is set, that this Magnolia laevifolia 'Copperstop' be somewhere near the deck. In the ground or in a pot I'm not sure.
I think the beautiful rust color will be so nice by the Arbutus. This
Magnolia laevifolia 'Copperstop' is what it looks like a little more filled out. 12' tall, I think I'd like it near the bottom of the stairs.
I managed to get a few things planted that were waiting around in pots for some cooler temps. From
Gerhard, Aloe Birds & Bees gets a prominent spot near an intersection of 2 pathways. *There's more room between those 2 aloes than it looks in the picture, I think they'll be good roommates.
Agave quiotepecensis
 | Agave isthmensis Chiapas type locality form - from Hidden Agave |
Agave the horrible horrida
I have to throw this in, just because it's so beautiful.
Agave polianthiflora in broken pot
Little Agave Victoriae-reginae replacing one that drowned winter 2023.
another titanota because I can't seem to resist them.
And Agave rancho tambor. This looks different than more mature specimens I've seen pics of, soooooo?
Frankly, I don't care one bit - I think it's absolutely gorgeous! I love the sultry dark brown with the powdery blue. Saturday night! *A friend of mine had an older relative who could only respond with 2 phrases, "Saturday Night" and "Son of a bitch". R.I.P. - his positive/negative responses are still repeated with much love.
I have lots to do to build the shade house, and at this point I'm feeling like I just don't want to mess it up. Which means, don't rush! I can start sanding the slats and sealing the wood with no worries. All the while I need to figure out how to do the roof.
Oh, one last set of pictures of Hakea laurina, I posted on my instagram but I'll share here as well. I didn't realize they can bloom Fall & Spring, so was delighted to see these blooms on both trees. One of which I wasn't sure would make it - it sat & sulked for 14 months.
I think it was worth the wait. Hope you had a great weekend!
Do you or will have host garden tours? It looks like such a stunning showplace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anvil. I would, even tho I'm sure I'd be nervous about it. Unfortunately the only garden tour I know of in our area is "Bringing Back the Natives". It's a great tour, and I think planting natives is a good idea -but I certainly don't qualify as 80% native.
DeleteThe deck and pool complement each other beautifully, Tracy, and I'm sure the lath house will be the icing on the cake. It'll be the perfect place for you and Dr Feelgood to rest on breaks from work in the garden. Your agave - and aloe - collection gets better and better and I can't tell you how much I envy the Hakea!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris, yes anything for Dr. to get his well deserved rest breaks! I can't believe that Hakea, I'm in awe.
DeleteThis corner is really taking shape quickly and will anchor the L shape -if I got your garden shape correctly in my head. Many new opportunities for plants... so very exciting.
ReplyDeleteI love the agave in the broken pot. How'd you manage to brake it so perfectly :-D
Your Hakea laurina is dazzling. I'd be proud too if I could grow it. There may be seed pods to come (I saw photos online...)
Chavli
Yes, it is a big L. I can't wait to fill with plants, am trying to cool my jets on acquiring plants until Spring (and failing). The pot was really a vase, lol -I was trying to drill a small drainage hole in the bottom. Usually I have luck with that, but this time the entire bottom fell out! And it cracked along the top. What a mess, but still it's an interesting shape so this will work for sharp drainage for the agave.
DeleteI'm so, so jealous...for so many reasons...the climate, the pool, the plants. And of course, the beautiful deck. Well done! I'll be right over... ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome anytime! :)
DeleteThat is a great deck. No rush to get it just right.
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz, I have to keep reminding myself!
DeleteLooks great-and a ledge for the wine is an important element ! I was surprised to see your Hakea blooming already-mine has set buds but they likely won't open til early spring. I think you might have warmer overnight temps than I do in Napa. Even in summer unless it's a triple digit heat wave we are usually in the low to mid 50's overnight.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised, I didn't know Fall bloom was a possibility. I'll have to compare our lows, I guess a few degrees could make a difference. I wonder what they'll do come Spring? And yes, somewhere for our wine is very important!
DeleteYou've got to be kidding! That is an unbelievable deck!
ReplyDeleteLove the decking, looks really natural. I find it so interesting to see and read about such unfamiliar plants.
DeleteThank you Jeff and Rick!
DeleteWOW! There's so much to love in this post, all of those agaves are just fantastic. Somehow I missed the fact YOU are the one building the laugh house, what fun. I totally agree about a nice wide board at the top of the wall, for pots and wine. As for the Magnolia laevifolia I love that plant so much, but be prepared for awkward. I have never seen one with good form.
ReplyDeleteHa, well I will definitely have help from James, Vincent and Ivan-no way could I lift & screw in support beams. Yes to POTS & WINE, these are a few of my favorite things. Ok, I'm glad you warned me on the Magnolia, maybe planting it to the left as you go up the stairs, with a minimal amount of wood slats in front of it may hide it's goofiness? Well, if it looks terrible it can always be moved!
DeleteNICE... it is all beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteI laughed that you went through it backwards, lol. I'm so happy you got your raised beds wonderful!
DeleteThis looks sooooo good! And the plants you highlighted are beyond cool. I love it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gerhard! I love the A. birds & bees :)
DeleteThat was me, lol - logged out of my own blog!
DeleteThat is cool, plants flowering spring and fall!
ReplyDeleteThat pool is amazing.
DeleteThank you Jenn!
I bet it feels good (ha ha, accidental Dr. Feelgood reference) to be this far along. Almost there! That rock behind the A. quiotepecensis is amazing as is the Hakea. I might have accidentally brought home an A. titanopsis to imprison in a container for the rest of its life. Hope it gets as gloriously gorgeous as all the specimens I see online.
ReplyDeleteYes! Keep the prisoner in pristine condition!
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