Luncheon in the Garden of Good. And Evil

Far from Savannah, after we left the fabulous Rare Plant Research open, Alison, Loree and I met at McMenamins Kennedy School for lunch.    McMenamins does an amazing job of re purposing cool old buildings (funeral parlors, masonic lodges, in this case, a school)  and transforming them into pubs and hotels.  Check out their website! They also do a phenomenal job of making interesting and beautiful gardens on their properties as well.

Oh the colors.  The fremontodendron blooming it's head off is even more stunning with the purple of the berberis in the foreground (washed out in this picture but it was brilliant) and the blue foliage of something (nolina?  Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies?' Anyone?

So, what does one do with a lot of large old window weights for huge double hung windows?  

Just another tuft of grass. 

We sometimes take for granted the lushness possible in our gardens in this neck of the woods.

Embothrium coccineum is so bright that it's difficult to photograph although Alison got a great shot!

Walking down the petal-strewn sidewalk it's Ms. Danger herself.   The fling itinerary was made public today and I'm thrilled to see that this garden is on the tour.  I usually only see parts of it on the way to and from the pub. 

Yes Alison, in Portland looking for patches of blue sky is an actual pastime for many.  There, I think I saw one!

Looks like she might be saying "Point that camera at me one more time and you'll learn why I'm called Danger!"   Lunch was wonderful and I escaped unscathed!  So far so good.  What about the evil part, you may be asking.

These opuntias may look sweet but I swear they can throw their glochids (furry soft looking things that feel very nice until they're stuck in your skin and cause irritation!) several feet.  They stand there like silent gunmen in a western movie laying in wait for their next victim!

Can you guess whose garden we might be visiting?

Here's a clue.  Perhaps not so much evil as just a bit dangerous. 

And another.  Notice the new fence and stock tank.  Got it yet?

Agave 'Joe Hoak'  

You've surely figured it out by now.

A masterful combination of foliage.  Totally in love. 

I wonder if Clifford asked permission to get an erring?  You know how rebellious teenagers can be!

You got it!  This is the one and only Danger Garden!   The pots have all just come out of their winter exile inside and Loree is pondering how to arrange them.  Notice how cool and collected she appears?  This is what happens when one dresses to match her garden -  She becomes one with the space. 

I don't want to show too much and ruin surprise for those of you attending the fling.

The garden has undergone several huge changes since I first saw it and although I followed the progress on Loree's blog, I wasn't prepared for how very different, more refined, more fabulous, more full of great plants the space looked.   Thanks Loree for the sneak peek of the danger that awaits us lucky flingers!