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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 30, 2014

A September Stroll around Old Goat Farm

For more about Old Goat Farm , not a retirement community, see previous posts here.   Alison and I visited a few weekends ago and I'd forgotten my camera so the phone had to be used.  Here are some random pictures. 

I'd seen this gabion pillar before but only this time was there water trickling through and over the stones; it's also a fountain.


Someone is collecting primulas!

Big flowered hardy hibiscus are one of the treats of late summer here.  They don't love our wet winters but can take the cold in stride.  My uncle grows them beautifully in his zone 3/4 garden in Vermont.

Perhaps someday my Cryptocereus anthonyanus or Selenicereus anthonyanus will look as grand as this one.

Interesting and functional potting bench.

Gorgeous huge cordylines that are hauled to the barn for winter protection.

Beautiful foliage contrasts in this shady bed illustrating how fabulous gardening in the shade can be!

Peony seed head splitting open to reveal seeds as colorful and interesting as the flower.

Colchicum popping up to remind us that it's autumn!


Possibly the largest syneilesis leaf I've ever seen.  

Altar to the goddess flora?

Moss covered (even in dry September) logs remind us that we're in the beautiful pacific northwest.


Abutilon 'Red Tiger' is one I've always admired and even grown a couple of times.  It's not hardy here but now that I'll have space to store it for the winter, perhaps I'll look for one.

This handsome fellow was our tour guide through his part of the garden.  

If you're ever in the area when they're open, do stop by and don't miss the Chase Garden just up the road a piece. 


22 comments:

  1. The cordylines are awesome! Wherever they store them for winter must have very hight ceiling! I keep tenter plants since I have no place for over-wintering. For this red tiger I could make an exception. WOW.

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    1. I think the cordylines go into their barn for the winter. Isn't red tiger gorgeous?

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  2. You got some wonderful photos, even though you were just using your phone. Better than mine with my fancy Nikon. I love that gabion pillar with the water trickling down, I want to know how they did it.

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    1. I thought your pictures of OGF were very nice! Next time we visit, we should ask how they did that gabion pillar water feature!

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  3. What a stunning tour guide! And how I envy your ease at identifying (and spelling) all the namesof the various plants/flowers... Shady beds are my favorites - and these were no exceptions; and I "stole" the potting bench for my yard and garden Pinterest board.

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    1. He was quite a nice guide! There are all kinds of fowl at OGF but I didn't see a lot of them out and about this time. Glad you stole the potting bench for your Pinterest board. I admire it every time I visit!

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  4. I've never seen such huge cordylines, but then not many of us have a barn at our disposal. My peonies have never done that bright seed thing. Is it a particular kind of peony?
    I see you are already considering new groups of plants to fill up the greenhouse...you lucky dog.

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    1. I think that some species peonies and crosses do the colorful seed thing better than some of the more modern hybrids. There are still a few huge cordylines around the Seattle area close to the water. They used to be all over the place but the phormium killing winters did most of them in. Actually, I'm just hoping that I have enough space for all the plants already in the collection to fit in without being shoved together the way they have been in my current winter locations. I did buy a jasmine on sale because they bloom so nicely in greenhouses and that fragrance will be delightful.

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  5. The gabion pillar cum water feature is a great idea. And that syneleisis, wow!

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    1. Gabions appeal to me and that one is wonderful with or without water. Great idea to borrow!

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  6. Another beautiful place... Those cordyline are really big!

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  7. That is a fun place. So much to see and admire.

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    1. And they have some interesting pottery inside just for you!

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    1. I was the only old goat there. Lots of peafowl, turkeys, guineafowl, chickens, ducks, etc.

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  9. A great place for a visit. I wish my potting shed looked interesting like that rather than just a horrible, untidy mess.
    What a gorgeous Abutilon.

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    1. Sounds like your potting bench looks much like my own! This is a lovely and fun place to visit!

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  10. What a cool place! I love the gabion pillar and since I have a million rocks here, I could make a few. I loved the face art, also.

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  11. It is a cool place. Can't wait to see your gabion pillars!

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