I made a quick trip to American Soil & Stone, for a few bags of top dressing rock. They have the best selection, of course I forgot to get the ginger cobble I meant to purchase so will need to go back. A 15 minute jaunt to The Dry Garden was a no brainer. As I walked down the street after finding a decent parking spot -I was reminded that the Berkeley climate is more temperate than ours. Do you think they painted those steps to match the blooms?!
There was a cute Opuntia hiding behind. I can only imagine living steps from a cool nursery, I'd be in big trouble.
This house was across the street.
Cute, and pretty maintenance free.
I know they are common, but this bottlebrush looked so vibrant on a cloudy day.
And then I was inside The Dry Garden. These braided willow trees were near the entrance. $125.
This bromeliad tempted me, Vriesea hieroglyphica but it was $60.
Oooh, super twisted trunk of Brachychiton rupestris.
I'd never seem this plant bloom before, or should I say balloon? It was HUGE, Solandra maxima var.
I went through the entry to the agave and aloes section, I think I could hear angels singing!
I enjoyed my visit, and brought home a Bamboo ventricosa 'Kimmei' - a type of clumping Buddha's belly bamboo. Do I plant in the ground, or in a pot to stress it and force it to form those big bellies along the cane. Hmmmm. When I was back home and moving the bagged rock from the car to the back... what the heck? It hasn't rained since Jan. 3rd, and the rain yesterday was barely anything. This asshole.
Are you kidding me? The top of the ground is barely wet. I easily pulled some of the leaves from the center.
This morning I went back out, I'll dig it up!
Just as I thought, the ground underneath is completely DRY.
I left it on top of a pot. Too bad, it was quite good sized. So dramatic!
In other news, I managed to plant something in one of the chimney flues. A little Opuntia macrocentra 'Backlash'.
It may be too close to the path, time will tell.
Aloes are behind, this one is showing a little promise.
Out and About photos of the day, I noticed this dry gardenscape this morning. The garden is actually quite large and deep, the photo doesn't do it justice.Front.
It is very neat. I like it, especially practical for Livermore. My only suggestion would be to triple the amount of plants. Of course it would no longer be tight and tidy, lol.
That's about it, back to packing closets. We are getting on & off rain, it is warm about 60°. I hope you're having a joyful weekend.
Out and About photos of the day, I noticed this dry gardenscape this morning. The garden is actually quite large and deep, the photo doesn't do it justice.
I love how the Aloe blooms match the front steps. If not intentional, then a very happy accident.
ReplyDelete"Pretty maintenance free..." Ha ha, is there such animal? I think it only appears that way in other people's gardens :-D
I didn't get what actually happened to your Aloe. Was it that tiny bit of rain?
I hope you get some solace from the fabulous vignette 'showing a little promise' backed by the blue house siding. Really excellent.
Chavli
The color was an outstanding match, probably a happy accident. Yes you're right - I was thinking how easy the border of aeoniums looked- but I'm sure there is plenty of debris that gets caught up there. I guess a mere 1/4" of rain water sitting for 2 hours was enough to make the aloe give up on life? Now that I've had time to consider, there must have been something wrong before the rain. Yes, the buds on the aloe by the house make me smile!
DeleteThat final garden was different but very appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is nicely done!
DeleteI think I'd hear the angels singing too if I walked through that nursery and had room in my car to tote one or more things home! Too bad about the bromeliad's pricetag and the demise of the aloe :(
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes. I was rushing a bit so I didn't get caught in traffic, and I'm on a self imposed "don't bring anything home until you plant some of your current plant stash".
DeleteYeah, probably a good idea that a trip to the nursery takes you time and effort. But it sucks you forgot one of the things you went there for.
ReplyDeleteI need a list if I have more than 3 items, lol.
DeleteI have an Aloe helenae that also rotted in the center for no reasons I can figure out. Nick Deinhart recommended I cut out the affected parts and pour hydrogen peroxide into the center. I did, about three weeks ago, and it looks like it's done the trick.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I associate with Berkeley: aeoniums and jade plants growing to massive proportions :-)
Ok, I'll cut into it a bit more and try that. Thanks Gerhard!
DeleteLove the Dry Garden! It's been a long while since I've been there, thanks for the virtual visit. What a sad sight to see your aloe death. It sure seems like there had to be something wrong even before the rain?
ReplyDeleteYes, there must have been - weird that it sent up a bloom stalk like everything was fine.
DeleteOh how I would love to be able to walk down the street and admire every yard. I don't recognize many of the plants so it would be a big adventure for me.
ReplyDeleteI bet they painted the porch to match the pumpkins last fall. (Ha. Ha.)
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Ha ha, I'd like to think they matched the aloes - but it probably has nothing to do with their paint choice!
DeleteOh, yes, definitely an influence across the street, and yes that would be dangerous. ;-) Love the Aloe and Opuntia combo. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to live that close :)
DeleteEnjoyed this. It would be dangerous to live so close to a nursery. The painted steps are a pretty cool choice.
ReplyDeleteThe steps looked amazing with the blooms, didn't hurt that it was a gray day.
DeleteHey Nice Blog!!! Thank you for sharing information. Wonderful blog & good post. Its really helpful for me, waiting for a more new post. Keep Blogging!!!
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Harmonic Filter
These are really amazing. It is heartening seeing the green and growing things. Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn!
DeleteIt's cool to see that home's garden finally! I firmly agree with you- definitely need a tripling or quadrupling of plants. I do like the idea though
ReplyDeleteDouble it, then triple it! Ha ha
Delete