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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, August 1, 2014

Boris and Natasha Send a Surprise!

Last summer, we had the good fortune of having a guided tour of Shayne Chandler's incredible garden.  (See the post here if you missed it.)  there were many amazing plants in the garden and one of Shayne's favorite yuccas, Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' caught my eye.  I've looked for it at local nurseries but haven't found it although Cistus sometimes has it.

At the Garden Bloggers' Fling in Portland this year, Hoover Boo, Boris and Natasha's mom and author of Piece of Eden,  was carrying a start of hers that she'd brought for someone else.  I admired it and she said that she'd be happy to send me one instead of throwing it in the compost pile.  I was elated!

Yesterday, a package arrived from sunny California.

Stryder, Chocolate, Rigby, and Sarah Sue knew immediately that it was a package from Boris and Natasha and were as excited as I to see it's contents.  Boris and Natasha seem to enjoy pie!

The package contained not one but four gorgeous plants!   Yowsa!  I was in hog heaven.  The dogs were less impressed, their hopes of eating pie having been dashed.

Is that gorgeous foliage or what?

I was so excited that I ran (who am I trying to kid, I waddled) out to pot them up.  Here they are basking in the sun. 

Thank you so much Boris, Natasha, and Hoover Boo, too.  I'll cherish these beauties and think of you whenever I see them.  Aren't plant people wonderful?


36 comments:

  1. What a wonderful treat! She's so generous. Poor disappointed doggies. BTW, have you ever put photos of your doggies here on the blog. I think most readers know you have dogs, but they don't know how adorable they are. Forget the pie, Boris and Natasha could probably eat them for a snack.

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    1. I posted pictures of them once http://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2012/11/and-winner-is_14.html but they weren't very good. I'll work on taking better pictures of them and post them one of these days. Yes, our dogs would be like squeaky toys for Boris and Natasha!

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  2. Yes, I'd love to see doggie photos ! Will you name your new children ?

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    1. Well, maybe they should be called Boris, Natasha, Hoover, and Boo.

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  3. wonderful indeed! gorgeous....nice treat!

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  4. You have dogs?!? More pictures, please!

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  5. The plants are certainly a generous gesture, but I can't get past the cute cowboy... I mean that gorgeous Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' in the first picture.

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    1. Yes, they are quite attractive, n'est-ce pas? Ahem, the plants...

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  6. Plants that arrive in packages are the very best kind. Great excitement generators.

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    1. I get excited when plants, bulbs, etc. that I've ordered arrive. This was even more exciting!

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  7. Yes they are (plant people) I've been the recipient of packages like that from Hoover too, always magic inside. I did have to laugh at both Alison and chavliness's comments. Imagine the furry mash-up of Boris, Natasha and your four cuties!

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    1. Our breeds are related in the distant past so many features, the fluffy tail held over the back, ruff, and facial shape are similar. Ours would look a bit like miniatures of Hoov's dogs.

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  8. So the Fling just keeps on giving...and giving!

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  9. They are indeed :) Gail gave us some of those Yuccas during the fling, asking for them after she posted on her blog a month or so before that she had spares. Our plants are from the same family, cool isn't it?

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    1. It's wonderful to think that Hoover's plants are growing all over the world. Very special. Our yuccas will have to keep in touch since they're related!

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  10. I'm joining the crowd to say I'd like to see the puppies too!

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  11. So happy you like them, outlaw. I hope they well grow for you. It is so fun to think a bit of my garden growing in other gardens.

    And yes, Boris and Natasha really like pie. They once upon a time pulled the box containing a whole fresh cherry pie off the kitchen counter and ate the entire thing, plus part of the box, then they licked most of the pie smear off each others faces.

    Pies are no longer left on the kitchen counter.

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    1. Thank you again for your kindness! It's a thrill to have them and it's fun to see plants that have come from our gardens growing in those of others! Next time you're in Washington, do come and see!

      I remember your post about the cherry pie & it made me laugh when I unwrapped the box to see the bags!

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  12. Hoover is a fine plant person and B&N should try to be slightly less naughty to respect her fine-ness. And cough up the dog pics Peter..

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    1. I agree but B & N's antics are very amusing to the rest of us. Canine photos shall be expectorated forthwith.

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  13. Wow, you lucky duck you! those look fantastic!

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  14. What a great gift from far-away So Cal and her always cool garden-in-progress! I never see "Margaritaville" here. Those are some healthy pups to start with...I'll send you some heat when it comes back in a few days, to help them along.

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    1. Thanks for the Heat, David, we've been enjoying it. I think someone from the east coast also sent a little humidity. Whoever you are, you can take that part back!

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  15. How lovely, what a great surprise :)

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  16. And if you're local she gives rides in her Tesla ;)
    I'm bummed I missed the post where she talks about this yucca, because I've always assumed my yucca in the back garden is 'Margaritaville' too, now over 5 feet tall. Never pups, never blooms. And I haven't ever stripped the lower leaves because they still look great. A visitor once said he thought it was 'Banana Split,' which stays fairly small...but enough about my yucca mystery. Congrats to you for cultivating generous friends!

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    1. Yucca mysteries are fun; hope you solve yours! The garden world seems to be full of generous folk!

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  17. Hello from Seattle! Yucca Margaritaville is next up on my must have plant list - and I wound up here :)... (Cistus told me on the phone that Jimmy Buffet sued and it might be called 'Margarita' now ha!) Would love to see an update of yours if they're in the ground, and maybe someday get a pup from you if there was ever one to spare? So striking.

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    1. Mine are in the ground. I have an older specimen that has been in ground for several years and even bloomed but hasn't sent out any pups yet.

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