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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.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Random Friday: A summer Visit to Bark and Garden

It seems like just yesterday that Alison and I set out on another Garden adventure to tour some garden treasures in the south Puget Sound.  Looking at my notes it was on July 27.   We decided that while we were close by, we should also visit Bark and Garden.  I'd been there once and we'd seen their plants at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show and the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.  

If you clicked on my previous posts above about bark and garden, you will have seen a more extensive tour of the inside and outside of this large nursery.  In this post are some random shots of things that caught my eye on this visit.  


When last I visited in February, there was a piece of heavy equipment sitting on this spot getting ready to remove a large Trachycarpus fortunei.  The palm has been moved and that backhoe has been busy making this.

It'll be cool to see it when it's all planted and feels more established.  Quite the water feature which is about the size of my entire garden.

In case there's a plant emergency these friendly folks are always on hand to help.

Zinnias scream summer!




Gorgeous foliage combination!

Love this Echinacea.


And this one.

There were also beautiful plantings in the parking strips on the street in front of the nursery.


Some interesting things inside...

In case you desire a crashed spacecraft to grace your garden.


I seriously liked this whimsical throne.  If it hadn't been solid concrete and a little heavy for my little car, it would have come home with me.

Lots of interesting pots.   Look at all that summer color. The powers that be must not have gotten the memo that we decided to cancel winter this year.
 
 
Dahlias are so gorgeous and if I had space for a cutting garden, I'd grow rows and rows of them.  As it is, I grow a few among all the other plants in my crowded beds.  Sorry I don't know the names of any of these but loved taking pictures of them.




This shy little pink one is very sweet with its three pointed serrated petals.  It's almost like she's flirting with you.





Speaking of flirts and good time gals,  Roll out the barrel, I think that's my girlfriend, Monrovia!

Rudbeckias


 I regret not bringing this hosta home with me.  On the other hand, one has to leave something for next summer, right?

How do you know when It's time to repot an agave?


O.K. so we've got fire (imagine the artificial electrical flames shooting up from the rocks) water, the rocks must represent earth and air. With some branches around the base of it to cover something up.

Alison holds this still while I wonder how one would get in and out of such a contraption.  It's probably very comfortable once you're in it!

I liked the way this little round greenhouse looked but I'm thinking that a square or rectangle would be able to hold more plants.

A gorgeous agave.
 
I remember buying an orange alstromeria, just like the one that Alison bought and an Agave 'Baccarat' like the one that Alison already has in the ground and an oriental lily in bloom because I'm a sucker for a sweetly scented car for a day of garden tours. There may have been other purchases but it was nearly three months ago and I'm lucky if I can remember what I did yesterday. 
 
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  We in the pacific northwest are supposed to have a clear, dry, and warmer Saturday and I hope to garden from dawn to dusk.  Wishing you all the same good fortune! 


31 comments:

  1. It looks like an awesome place. Those dahlias!

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  2. Yes, I'm hoping to get some gardening done this weekend too. I still want that cool hammock. Those Dahlias were so gorgeous. I'm kind of amazed that you are still getting mileage out of things we did 3 months ago. And probably more to come. If I'm not mistaken, you haven't written up all the Fling tours yet, right? BTW, I miss you.

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    1. Hey Alison, I miss you too! Once our gardens aren't calling for our attention, we'll have have to get together some Saturday and go junking! Last day of the fling yet to do and the gardens that we saw on the same day as this nursery visit. It's fun to save a little summer sunshine for those grey days.

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  3. I honestly expected to see you in that contraption at the end of the post. Maybe on your next visit. I have an orange alstromeria: don't worry, it will show up next year and remind you were you left it: they are indestructible (and gorgeous).

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    1. Good to know that it will show up and remind me where I put it!

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  4. I thought the spaceship was a snail. Did you get to ride on the golfcart? Nice selection of pots.

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    1. We didn't get to ride on the golf cart darn it. Of course, we didn't ask so it may have been a possibility.

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  5. It's an interesting place I hope to stop in there again sometime...so many great places to purchase plants!!!

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    1. So many nurseries, so little time. So many plants so little space. What's a gardener to do?

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  6. I like your flirtatious dahlia...and thanks for reminding me that I should be out there planting things: here I go.

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  7. Great tour, what a cool water feature. The dahlias are beautiful, they would be perfect if they could bloom well without being dug. I have one that lived through the winter OK, but it's first bloom opened this week, a little late!

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    1. Are your dahlias in full sun? The dahlias that I've had return usually start blooming in August unless they're not in full sun.

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  8. I can see that I missed many stops on my last couple of trips to Wa. I'll do better next time. And I have to say you grow Dahlias better than anywhere..

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    1. Your comment surprises me as I thought that dahlias, being natives of Mexico, would love your warmer summers and mild winters.

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  9. Ooo la la. That looks like an amazing place. Are those some choice astelia on either side of that chair!? Whatever variety they are, I want! And that last agave is simply stunning!

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    1. The Astelias are 'Silver Shadow' from the Sunset Western Garden Collection. I saw one recently at our local Fred Meyer Store among the 1/2 price perennials and almost bought it but I think I have too many plants already.

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  10. Oh, those dahlias! One is fuchsia color, another is like flame, white, yellow.. lovely! Jason, I think this hosta will wait for you next spring, is pretty! Great tour to nursery and park, I'd buy something.

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    1. I love looking at dahlias! I am happy to wait and see if I can find that pretty hosta I the sprig. I hope that one day you could come and visit our nurseries and gardens. Maybe you could come to the garden bloggers' fling in July next year.

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  11. Lovely dahlias and zinnias! I love those brown barrels as well. I'd love to have a couple of them... Happy weekend, Peter!

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    1. Thank you, Satu, and a happy weekend to you as well.

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  12. Definitely worth a 40-minute drive. (Too bad mine would take an entire day.)

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    1. Sorry you'd have such a long drive but then you have some pretty spectacular nurseries in your area don't you?

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  13. Yes, let's cancel winter! Well, I suppose that isn't a good idea, but it sure is tempting to just abandon my home in the north when the cold sets in. Great place! The Dahlias are gorgeous, and the Zinnias ... gosh I made a mistake in not planting any this year. What was I thinking?!

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    1. I haven't had zinnias in my own garden since one year in my Alaska garden when they all got mildew and looked horrible. That was nearly thirty years ago. Do you suppose I should give them another chance? I love them in other people's gardens.

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  14. There's Monrovia again! So many great plant places out there!

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    1. We're very lucky to have so many great nurseries here. Monrovia sure gets around but that's why we love her.

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    2. I guffaw every time you mention her. What a wonderful tramp she is.

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  15. I thought it was a nursery/dog park. :o) Once again, the PNW has a nursery on every corner!

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