Having visited Dig and finding Kathy's Corner closed for the day, we set out to do some shopping at a cool antique shop on the island but on the way, these extremely happy phormiums caught my eye.
So pretty! I've not noticed any phormium damage in Tacoma either but then we didn't get quite as cold as Portland. Still these looked expecially nice for having just lived through such cold temperatures.
Of course we stopped the car and investigated the garden in front of the Giraffe.
Did I mention that it was a typical misty overcast Pacific Northwest winter day? Some people might shy away from planting silver or gray leaved foliage plants in this climate. However, look what's shining like silver.
Yes, I think it's common sage.
Wearing diamonds to celebrate the New Year's Eve!
I love plain old Sage...it's so pretty when it's happy. There is a variety called 'Berggarten' (or something like that) which I think is especially handsome...especially, as you've shown, paired with finer textured plants like grasses or sedges :-)
ReplyDeleteThe tried and true plants never let you down!
DeleteI like sage too, in all its various leaf colors. I guess there are no cowboys on Vashon to catch your eye while driving down the road, so you have to settle for gorgeous Phormiums.
ReplyDeleteHaha...Alison read my mind. I thought for sure there was going to be a cowboy in this post.
DeleteYou two made me chuckle! There is a large ranch on Vashon and I've heard talk of cowboys about but have yet to actually see one by the side of the road. Maybe I need you two to be my lookouts!
DeleteI LOVE sage! The essential oil and tiny hairs on the leafs make the rain bead like jewels on a well waxed car. What a sight! And it tastes great in salads.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Giraffe, their web site claims: Weaving Together Beauty and Justice... I hope for a follow up post that will shed light on this statement.
It was New Year's Eve, and although we were warmly welcomed, the sign on the door said that they'd be closing in 15 minutes and we didn't want to be rude and stay too long even though we were warmly welcomed. I want to go back and further investigate Giraffe. Fortunately, they list a location here in Tacoma. Everything in the shop is hand made in various parts (largely third world) of the planet.
DeleteTry making pizza with no sauce Fontina and generous amounts of fresh sage or a simple white sauce (8 oz. cream cheese softened & 3 Tbs. of liquid from marinated artichoke hearts) spread over crust, the artichoke hearts, lots of fresh sage, and mozzarella. It'll change your life.
Although I love cheese, I recently decided to go dairy free.
DeleteI'll wait for a time I feel rather naughty and mischievous and try your pizza idea; it sounds amazing, my mouth is watering.
Hello there Mr. TOG : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog ! .. we are locked into -40 wind-chill weather but by Saturday it is supposed to go up to +5 ! .. these extreme swings are driving me nuts and I am wondering how my poor garden plants are going to react to it all in the end ... BIG sigh ! LOL
I wish we had nurseries such as you do .. you are very lucky indeed ! .. I am a sage lover and actually most years I can over winter purple, golden and tri-colored sage ... but heaven knows what this years weather will manifest in my garden. I have to hang on for a long time to see what the results are. YES ! .. we have bunnies here and there .. I don't mind them nibbling on a few plants .. it is wonderful to watch them : )
Joy
PS .. I have a passion for silver plants too .. even plain old Brocade artemisia that survives our hot humid droughts is a winner in my eyes !
It's always a pleasure to visit the Great White North! Sorry to hear about your extreme cold but I bet it's beautiful to see from inside your house.
DeleteWell, considering it is now -7F here, I can see why you would be pleased with your climate. Not usually a big fan of silver-leaved plants, but I love the way the water beads on those salvia leaves.
ReplyDeleteThere's something special about the way silver plants appear on our misty gray days; they seem to shine like polished silver sometimes.
DeleteI can think of no climate more to my liking. Does that mark me as a freak?
ReplyDeleteWhy yes, yes it does. Welcome to the club! The bay area tempts sometimes with it's similar fogginess and wider plant palette but I'd miss our towering evergreens!
DeleteThat sage and grass combo looks good, and love how sage always seems to invite anyone to touch it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely combo. Yes, sage is quite a slut!
DeleteThese are all beautiful! I love the photos of the sparkling sage.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! Glad you liked them!
DeleteI really like the phormium but I don't recognize the variety - I hope you manage to avoid the "PKW" I've heard so much about. I look forward to getting to Vashon one day - given that I have relatives who live there, I have an excuse for paying a visit.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever do make it up this way and want to visit some great nurseries, just say the word and I'll plan a tour for you!
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