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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Hey! Did that Sign Say Marenakos Rock Center?

We were in the Issaquah area last weekend to visit a few Northwest Perennial Alliance Open gardens over the weekend and the sight of a sign in the distance caused the plant mobile to stray from the appointed turn as the driver said, "Hey!  Did that Sign Say Marenakos Rock Center?"    Marenakos provides and delivers, free of charge,  all of the stone used in the display gardens at  he Northwest Flower and Garden Show and they also put together a beautiful space in the vendor area both at that show and at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show.  Let's explore the source of all that handsome stone!



Bag lady?  

Why yes, you may put this in my garden any day!  Cascading into a huge koi pond, okay?



Natural rock, one side polished, and rusty metal.  Who could ask for anything more in a garden gate?


Planter anyone?


A little AC/DC as background for the next picture. 'Nuff said. 


I wonder if this is that  cultured stone so highly prized in Chinese gardens? 

So many water feature possibilities. 



No need to try and envision what  a particular color of paver or wall stone will look like assembled as this is only part of the large patio and wall sample area.



It wasn't until I was sorting and editing pictures that I noticed the, ahem, water feature part of this piece.   Walking by it a couple of times,  the detail work of the face had my attention.


Stone for interior spaces too!

Now these are special work spaces!  

Warm and inviting!

The fun continues outside.


This archway could come home with me too!





What ancient people lived here?

I tried to knock at the door but there wasn't one. 

The neighbors weren't saying anything either. 




Seeing all of this and the huge yard in back that was stacked with all sorts of rock gave me an even greater appreciation for garden designers who have a vision, can put it down on paper, and from the wide array of possibilities, narrow their choices to create their vision.

If you could create a garden using any stone feature(s) you desired, what would you use?

For more about Marenakos, visit their website here

21 comments:

  1. Who knew? Once again you bring me to a place I have never heard of. You are the best, Peter! I adore the planter the 13th photo from the bottom with vertical rocks planted up with grasses. Would love to try something like that. I also love the beehive homes, how ancient and evocative!

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  2. I'm so happy the plant mobile strayed into their lot. Marenakos is a wondrous place and you finally had a chance to experience it. I've visited Marenakos a number of times, coveting the enormous pillars and the gorgeous half polished rocks. Much of their offerings require seriously large estate to do display properly, but the stone bench in your last picture would look perfect for my garden. Did you fill the plant mobil with rocks?

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    1. I would have purchased a sphere or three if they had the small ones (maybe they were inside or something?) but no, most of these things are too heavy for the plant mobile.

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  3. Sooo being a difficult person I have to go back to the first image and ask what the heck is up with their sign? Do you think they're making a new one and the concrete will soon be covered by stone?

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    1. There is a new one visible from the road but this one was out back and looked as if something like a barbecue was going to be or was at one time built beneath.

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  4. Marenakos is such a special place. I went there a few years ago, when I was putting in the gravel garden. I'm glad you found it and went exploring. Some of what you showed I don't remember seeing, it must be new, but some have been there a while, like the stone huts. I remember a few more garden-like areas.

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    1. I didn't notice any more garden like areas but maybe I didn't see it all or maybe they needed more display space for stone. It was fun to find it by accident!

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  5. I think I like shopping for stone and rocks more than I like shopping for plants -- and I really like shopping for plants! (in previous years I mean) So much good stuff here, especially that gate and the black-painted hexagonal cut stones near the end. I'm getting ideas...

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    1. They have some gorgeous things there! Rocks are a pretty permanent commitment as they're much more difficult to re arrange!

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  6. I would use it all, from giant boulders to river rock...and foiling the gophers wouldn't even be the main reason. We have a stone yard nearby but it is considerably less sophisticated.

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    1. You and me both. Oh to have the skill and wallet to make use of some of those spectacular stones!

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  7. I make periodic visits to my local stone yard but it's nothing like this! I love that rusty gate and the associated stone pillars.

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  8. What a fantastic place to visit. I always admire stonework in gardens I visit, but there is no way we could have afforded it when we hand built our stone walls out of recycled concrete. At a dollar a pick up load and our own labor, we built over 400 feet of walls for almost nothing.

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    1. Rock is nice when it is visible but for walls that will mostly be hidden by plants, recycled concrete makes much more sense! I'm still in awe of the fact that you did all of that hauling and building yourselves!

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  9. Nice to admire but I think the price tags must be way beyond me!

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    1. They sell all sorts of stone, some quite affordable but those huge and special pieces are way beyond me as well!

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  10. If I could I would buy this nice fireplace and arch to my garden Lovely stony fountain on your third photo, Peter.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.