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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.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Some Random Fun Stuff!

I recently posted about Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine here.  This is a small pine whose needles turn a gorgeous golden yellow in the winter making it quite a cheery presence during those bleak months.  I've made special trips to Portland Avenue Nursery during the winter just to drool over this gorgeous tree.  While I've wanted one for years, I just didn't want to spend so much money on one plant.  It seems that some crafty birthday elves (My sister Dirce and her daughter Alison) from Alaska have been reading my blog. Yesterday, I got an email saying that a gift from them was waiting for me at PAN.   What do you suppose it could be?  If you guessed Chief Joseph, you'd be right!


Isn't he handsome!
 When I saw him at the nursery and realized that he was mine, I nearly cried.  What a thoughtful and extravagant gift and what a special family I have!
 It's the time of year again when the spiders seem to be much larger and more numerous.  I revel in the hundreds of little golden baby spiders that emerge from their eggs in the spring and like to think that some of them enjoy my garden enough to stay.  I love spiders and have been known to capture files to give to spiders who've built their webs inside my house.  (Yes, I know I'm weird.)  This beauty has set up shop outside in an opening of our back porch.  (S)he's (It's bad form to ask someone his/her sex n'est-ce pas?) lovely and I enjoy watching the web spinning and insect eating that goes on.
 On the way back in from taking the Chief Joseph pictures, I looked back at these beautiful and very colorful new additions to my garden.  The Danger Gardenette continues to expand.  Three of the four agaves in the picture were a gift from someone who had fallen out of love with and neglected them.(I bought the agave americana 'aurea'.)
 The hydrangea 'Pistachio' that I got in June has nearly doubled in size and continues to produce cool blooms which, I might add, are holding themselves up.
 Mostly, I see the faults and editing that needs to be done in my garden but every now and then, I just feel fortunate to live in a zone where I can grow all these things, and to be surrounded by so many cool plants.  I wish that the fullnes of your own late summer garden, the love of family; biological or chosen, and joys as simple as a spider web surround you and fill you with warmth that will last through the colder days ahead!

19 comments:

  1. WOW...that really is a fabulous gift! I've often thought the same thing...like, every time I see one of those Pines for sale!

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  2. That is a very thoughtful gift! I look forward to the Chief Joseph planting ceremony which you will surely celebrate on your blog as well.

    We have some pretty good spiders around here, including some which look like spiders but are not.

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    1. I have to be careful with planting as it likes to be dry so maybe it'll live in a pot.

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  3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (yes, I am shouting)...What a wonderful gift, I am so excited for you! Where will you plant it? Oh and that Agave americana 'Aurea'...WOW! Love it!

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    1. Thanks for the shout! Can't believe it's been a year already since we first met in person. Agave americana 'Aurea' is, in answer to your blog question the other day, my favorite plant right now. so gorgeous and colorful. Gonna have to haul a lot of plants inside and upstairs for the winter this year.

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  4. What a wonderful family you have, to buy you such a sweet gift. I know there is a reason spiders walk the earth, and most of them are good for the garden, but they give me the creeps! You should see me react to walking into a web with my face, you would probably laugh yourself silly. Inside the house, they have a limited life expectancy. I do let them live out in my garden though, knowing they belong out there. Strangely, I love snakes, however (which I know creep a lot of people out). I wish there were more of them out in my garden.

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    1. My family is pretty special even without the amazing gift. Love looking at snakes but the surprise factor when they slither across a path really quickly is sort of a shocker to me and I don't think I'd want them living in my house.

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  5. Really like that Hydrangea. How big does it get?

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    1. The tag said, "Does well in pots due to it's compact size." However some sources say 36" - 48" high by 36" - 60" wide. May need to put it in a larger pot.

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  6. Such a wonderful gift! Fabu-fabu! ~~~ I like to see spiders in the garden from a safe distance. Every year I wind up with a couple nasty spider bites no matter how careful I am to avoid their space... But I know they are good for the gardens so just deal with it.

    Love those agaves!

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    1. Sorry about your spider bites. Don't think I've ever been bitten. The agaves are pretty cool!

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  7. I am glad you had a happy birthday Outlaw and that pine looks really special.

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  8. What a wonderful gift--happy birthday to you! Please share photos of your new Chief Joseph tree when he starts to put on his show.

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  9. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I looooove the pine BYW! its pretty epic. you have made a fan out of me.

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    1. Thanks Louis! Joey (we're that close) is a pretty cool plant.

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  10. Happy birthday! You got an awesome gift.

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