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Monday, April 28, 2014
Stepping backwards when all I wanted was to move forward…
Let's start in the front garden. While "enclosed and intimate" wasn't the goal I had in mind here I did love the way the Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo' tied everything together. It just looked so right rambling to and fro, a carpet which grounded all the furniture…
And now, without it, that area looks so wrong, or at least random and disparate like a wall of artwork with no order…
Chaos, just the way I like it!
Orderly, nothing touching, daring you to connect the dots, boring!
So while I considered replanting the ground-cover grevillea I did not, it had grown wonderfully for years but if another severe cold snap could knock it back (yes some were dead, others were just too ugly to leave) did I really want to go through that again? No, it was too important to the scheme. Thankfully I scored the mother load of Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' (aka Blue Pacific Shore Juniper) at Portland Nursery a couple of weeks ago (I bought three to go with the one I found last fall and the one already in the ground). This is such a cool plant and a great long term solution. Just look…
Of course that one has been in place for years, they start out like this…
Hence my heartache. Until they fill in things just look wrong!
So in the meantime I decided to do what gardeners everywhere do (but I've never done), buy some annuals! Hopefully these Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' (silver pony foot) and Helichrysum petiolare (licorice plant) will fill in and meander here and there and help my eyes to see pretty, not ugly, when I look at the front garden.
But then there's this. In the back garden I'm dealing with a different situation. Things were so enclosed last year. Then the Acacia pravissima (right as you enter) died, I moved the Fatsia polycarpa (left as you enter) and we removed the privet (far end).
Now it looks like this…wide open!
Augh. I get all sad just thinking about how exposed it all is. Not that I regret the changes, I just wished we'd done them years ago so it was all mature and recovered by now (hindsight, if only)...
Things will grow, Clifford (the big leaf magnolia) will leaf out, it will fill in. But for now I'm feeling the loss of the overgrown-ness and sharing that feeling, in the vein of keeping it real. Gardening ain't for sissies.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
54 comments:
I know it's probably little comfort, but even now to my eyes it looks INCREDIBLE, Loree. I think things will really start growing this week, too. I like the annual solution for the front, I'm doing a bit of that myself. You are no sissy, rather you're bad-ass!ReplyDeleteReplies
You are very kind Tamara, and yes I've got my fingers crossed for some growth explosion with all the rain we've had and the upcoming sun and heat!Delete
I am using the annual solution as well for filling in bare spots in my front garden, till the conifers get some size on them. It's hard to look at it till then. I have spots in the back that were planted up as soon as we moved in, and still haven't gotten big enough to provide that feeling of enclosure. So don't kick yourself, it takes time. And like Tamara, I think it looks pretty incredible. Maybe I should have brought more Ricinus to the swap for you?ReplyDeleteReplies
I nabbed 3 of your ricinus Alison, thank you! I think they'll be wonderful.Delete
I agree with Tamara. While I understand how exposed you much feel, your garden looks incredible. I like that the privet is no longer looming over you.ReplyDeleteReplies
"Looming"...the perfect word, and thank you.Delete
- AnonymousApril 28, 2014
I agree with Chickadee Gardens! I'm always astounded when I look at your photos. Your garden is lovely, and while I can see the loss of your coziness, it sounds like your plans to reinvent that cottage feel are underway. I love the licorice plant solution, it's one of my favorite annuals. And I'll be watching your junipers to see how they spread!ReplyDeleteReplies
Ah between you praising the licorice plant and Dave's response (below) I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone with it solely. The problem with both is that I've never grown them before. Well, anyway thank you for the kind words.Delete
Your eyes are just feeling shocked by the change. But Chickadee is right -- it still looks fantastic thanks to the geometry of your beds and paving and beautiful plant combos. I bet after a season of growth it won't feel so open anymore. Doesn't everyone have bare areas, btw? I am always redoing a section of my garden, and so there's always an area that feels too open. I thought that was normal - ha!ReplyDelete
I hope you love the silver ponyfoot as much as I do. We use it here in Austin too, but it's a perennial here. Maybe it will be for you too.Replies
I like your definition of normal!Delete
I hope I like it too, I've only seen it growing in one garden here and it was draping over a wall, we'll see how it does in this situation. No chance of it being a perennial, unless we have an amazing winter (which would be nice).
There are so many great groundcovers -- now you get a chance to try more of them! :)ReplyDelete
Something tells me you're going to appreciate the "wide open" feel in July when a bus pulls up to your house. ;)Replies
So what are your favorites? Really l'd love to know!Delete
- AnonymousApril 28, 2014
I'm in agreement with everyone - your garden shines! And annuals are a perfect solution. Do you have any daturas? This is a fun chance to try something that will be unique for this year. My bet is that you'll discover some treasure at a local nursery to enclose your yard in a totally distinctive way like you always seem to.ReplyDelete
Jim N. TaborReplies
Thank you for the compliments Jim. I've grown a couple of daturas over the year but never really had them take off, maybe I should try again. Thanks for the idea!Delete
I understand your pains! I've been ripping things apart here. At least your place still looks epic! I've got a nasty mess on my hands. I really need to get posting.ReplyDelete
I think the junipers will be nice. And I'm soo happy to see those dichondra. I was literally looking for some dichondra on the weekend. And I'm with you, I don't really plant annuals.Replies
Yes, you really do need to get posting! Wish you were in Portland I could tell you exactly where to find it (the dichondra) and who has the best price!Delete
Jim N. Tabor has a great point. This is an opportunity to try a (for us) annual like Datura. I just planted a couple year old Acacia pravissima to fill in the old Pampas spot while the Podocarpus gets bigger. I tell myself that when the Acacia dies I won't feel so bad because it was only intended for the short term. And I agree with everyone else: Your garden is looking wonderful!ReplyDeleteReplies
You sound like me! My acacia was only supposed to be for the short term (hence it's bad placement) but it just kept on living! Hopefully yours will grow fast and then if it must die do so at just the right time.Delete
I'm somewhat of a privacy hound and I prefer how much cleaner your garden design looks now compared to the before shot. It seeme more "you". BTW, I love Dichondra 'Silver Falls'. When used in containers, it cascades over the edge and forms a ground cover that surrounds the pot. I bet it will make a great filler.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for the encouraging words Sue. You know I've always pictured your garden being very private, tall trees blocking any signs of a neighbor.Delete
I feel your pain as I've been hacking away at the holly and the ivy (carol break here) that cover my back fence. It's nice to have it gone but the green enclosure is also missing. Your garden looks fantastic even without the privet and you'll have a much more interesting green screen filling the space before you know it! Great short and long term solutions to your front beds!ReplyDeleteReplies
Look at you getting all Christmas in April! Reading the words "green enclosure" and "back fence" having me remembering how exposed everything felt when the wall of laurel came down, now it's nuttin but green, thank you for the reminder.Delete
I feel your pain Loree. I thought I would have a mature garden by now and instead, after this last winter, I feel like I'm starting all over again! Your garden looks great exposed or not. And don't shun annuals - they have their purpose in the garden I too have gone down the annual path this year. Those little 4" annuals are a bing bank for the buck.ReplyDeleteReplies
So which annuals are along your path? (I'm curious)...Delete
At some point we all end up removing mature plants, dramatically changing the feel to the garden. As everyone else has said, it still looks amazing, and you will get your privacy back, the annuals will be good solution until then.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Spiky O!Delete
Ohh we know that feeling alright, about feeling more exposed....ReplyDelete
Patience my dear, that Juniperus will weave its magic soon and the back garden will feel secluded again. Saying that we think your garden still looks fabulous and can't wait to see it in the flesh!Replies
Yes, I guess you do...Delete
Oh that "p" word again! Thank you, and I can't wait to have you here....what fun we're going to have.
I love your garden, and before you know it, things will grow and fill up the bare bits. I like to plant annuals for some winter colour and they are good gap fillers for a while.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Karen! "Annuals for winter color" has such a funny sound to it, living where I do...Delete
But now your garden looks enormous! Reminds me more now of an open, sunny garden in Venice, CA than the PNW. Those annuals should do the trick in the front. I was thinking of Hebe 'Quicksilver' too but see it's for zone 8.ReplyDeleteReplies
You ain't seen nothing yet! We took the greenhouse coverings off the shade-pavilion yesterday and wow! Seeing the new fence behind it (from the patio) makes that side look larger too. It's crazy...Delete
I think a sense of enclosure is over emphasized by designers. Many gardens have no horizon line connecting them to the outside world such as views of the sky and effects of morning and evening light glancing across or behind all of the distinctive foliage. I think you might regret that dichondra as well. Its stringy weedy quality will make the garden look messy unlike the more solid ramblings of the juniper. Silver dichondra is beautiful alone when draping in long strings from a basket or ledge.ReplyDeleteReplies
I do love the increased sky we have now, and when you're on the patio the trees to the north peek up over the fence and add a nice borrowed view, there are definitely pluses.Delete
As for the front garden the junipers are in place but will grow at a slower pace than I'd like, I prefer their solid ramblings to the dichondra but needed a short-term fix. I do wonder about the dichondra and it's stringiness, I guess I'll see! Thankfully if I don't like it they'll be easy to remove and they'll die back this winter anyway.
I agree! Perhaps sprinkle in some annual Echium and linaria seeds such as L. Flamenco to spice up the color scheme.Delete
I'm wanting to steal your pathway paver idea. Where does one find those? Everything looks great.ReplyDeleteReplies
From Mutual Materials, same 2ft squares as make up the patio, 90 lbs each tho...Delete
Also, you're welcome to stop by and survey my mess anytime. You'll feel like the most pulled-together girl ever.ReplyDeleteReplies
But remember...you just moved! I've been here 9 years...Delete
Loree, I understand how compelling enclosure is, but I find that in the small garden the enclosure elements throw too much shade. I have been dealing with this for years, not only with the plants in my own garden , but the fences and the neighbors trees. I love your new back garden and really look forward to the in-person Fling viewing !ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Kathy, and I look forward to seeing you again!Delete
No matter what stage our gardens are in, those moments of perfection are so fleeting, aren't they? I think this week's weather is going to cause an implosion of growth in your garden!ReplyDeleteReplies
I hope you're right, I am so excited about all the sun and warmth!Delete
Your garden looks stunning. I can't wait to see it in person. The way the grevillea tied everything together was magical and the junipers will do that, too. I have seen a lot of collectors' gardens stricken with one-itisness (rather than drifts of plants), and while I appreciate them for the plants, they can look a little chaotic. Tying it all together with a groundcover is brilliant! I may try that at our new house.ReplyDelete
I have wondered why I don't see more junipers in Portland. They would do well here, I would think, and there are so many different forms and colors for all sorts of situations.Replies
Coming from the land of arborvitae and their ilk (Eastern Washington) I was surprised how hard I fell for that juniper. Any needley, light-soaking, evergreen was on my "no" list. I'm glad I caved and that after years of searching for another I finally was rewarded. I think junipers have just gotten a bad rap after years of mistreatment. And yes, you'll have to come over!Delete
The back looks wonderful! Different from before because it is more open, yes, but still fantastic! As for the front (and I never thought I'd say such a thing) I actually prefer the juniper over the grevillea. And I'll give another stamp of approval for the Dichondra as a temporary ground cover. I love it! If you really want to feel good about your garden you can come visit mine!ReplyDeleteReplies
Really, juniper over the grevillea...wow! Why? Even in the best of times the grevillea would occasionally suffer a little die back, an arm would drop it's leaves, that sort of thing. I'll be glad to not have that happen, but I will miss the blooms. I swear in the 4(?) years that juniper has been in the ground it's never looked bad or caused me any maintenance.Delete
I still think it looks pretty neat...but I bet time will make your garden even more wonderful than it was before the removals. Patience is hard...ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Lisa, and yes...patience is VERY hard.Delete
It seems mother nature is always forcing big changes on us. I love, love, love your garden in all views but do prefer the connecting plants. Those junipers will be perfect when they fill in and that dichondra will carry the day until they do.ReplyDelete
This winter I've had MAJOR winter damage, lost large mature shrubs, a Patio Peach, evergreens with broken branches and an entire hosta garden gone from voracious voles. Arrgghh.....Replies
Oh Deanne, I am sorry! That's a lot for one gardener to have to deal with.Delete
Dare I say...I think I like the Juniper even more! I totally know how you feel...if only we could go back in time and do things that way to begin with...but sometimes we have to take the roundabout way, it seems. For what it's worth, I really think you're going to be so much happier once it all grows in...every thing you've done has been an improvement.ReplyDelete
I think drastic changes in the garden are a little like new haircuts - at first, all you can think is "oh no, what have I done?" but, in time, you start to see that the change inspires all sorts of interesting new looks.ReplyDelete
Maybe you'll find more of that Juniper creeper really cheap and be able to help mother nature move things along a little quicker. It looks great and will really tie everything together. And it's hardy so there will be no starting over! Your backyard garden looks fabulous. Truthfully all of our gardens look a little sparse right now. It's only the beginning of May. I was observing your blue hosta in the foreground. It is completely leafed out in the before photo which means you took that photo later in the season, right? In another month I bet things will look a lot more filled in. But if not, it's still a paradise. Enjoy this sunshine.ReplyDelete
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Loved the first trailer for The Master. Click here for a refresher. Have you seen the second? Last time the focus was on Joaquin Phoenix, the follower. This time we meet the leader, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who appears to be at his most brilliant in a role they say is based on L Ron Hubbard. I mean... you cannot deny the parallels now, right? While I was watching this, within the first few seconds, I thought of John Travolta. I wondered if he could relate. "Just say something that's true!" When you believe in him, when you agree to let him guide you, what is it that you relinquish and what does he replace it with?
I can't wait to see this movie. I can't wait to hear this movie (thank you Jonny Greenwood). I can't wait to talk about this movie over and over and over again - argue about its origin, its expected brilliance, its Oscar chances, its sh-tty box office...
Here are the four films expected for release on October 12, 2012:
The Master
Argo, directed by Ben Affleck and the first trailer was solid
Gambit, starring Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, and Alan Rickman
Here Comes The Boom, Kevin James, Henry Winkler, and Salma Hayek
I'm just saying we might be driving our cars off the side of the road that weekend in frustration.

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, May 28, 2010
A Few Thoughts On Woolrich's 180th Anniversary
[Pictures courtesy of SWT.]
3 comments:
If Woolrich were smart, they would've updated their fit years ago. They prefer drapey over fit. I would've liked to see updated flannels (specifically the red and black that everyone rips off of) in the collection and a slimmed down Railroad Vest. None of the pieces are really that far off from what Woolrich has offered in the past, so it definitely gets a thumbs up. My hope is that it appears at the flagship shop.ReplyDelete
4th pic: Wallabees or Weavers? My bet is on the Weavers.
Never mind, they're Weavers.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJune 11, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Bought WWM Herringbone Stream Jacket. Nice fit, plenty of unsolicited compliments on the street. However, one button disappeared, with several more attempting to jump ship. Disappointed that the buttons on their jacket required reinforcing.ReplyDelete


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Championing everyone's right to feel good.
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