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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, October 7, 2014

The Way to a Friend's House is Never Long; The Garden of Alison Conliffe

From across the street, it's obvious that a gardener lives here!

Alison's enjoyment of her greenhouse inspired my own recent project.  Although I'd wanted a better place to store my plants for the winter, the many other things that Alison does with her space like starting seeds, growing tomatoes, and simply enjoying a bit of gardening inside when the weather outside is not conducive to such activity pushed me over the edge!

One of my favorite echiverias and I can't remember its name.  I love the brown gravel mulch!

Glasswork by our friend, Barbara Sanderson graces a pot.  Alison made the flower on the right herself!

 There are treasures and surprises at every turn.


Alison created this miniature garden from a broken pot given to her by Loree.


Alison's Folly with and without resident life-sized statue.



Alison's latest creation.  I kept trying to tell her that a plastic bag is not the best place to put a baby but would she listen?


Tropaeolum tuberosum scrambling over the fence.



Bees were also enjoying the eighty degree day.


Beautiful aloe in bloom.

You are being watched!

Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) bearing so much seed they had to be tied up.

The waterfall and stream.

Autumn finery on display.


Concrete sphere water garden.

There was no lonely little petunia in this onion patch.  

I don't know which I like best about Cyclamen hederifolium, the sweet autumn flowers or the gorgeous foliage which emerges after the flowers and remains green and cheerful all winter long.


Fuchsia.


Should I get busy planting some of those plants in the pot ghetto?  Nah, I'll just sit here and enjoy the sun.

Tricyrtis (toad lily)  looking all exotic and delicate but is a tough as nails perennial.  


Tillandsias behind the kitchen sink. 

Caged like a wild beast.

Magellan, the owner of the house and garden in which Alison and Nigel are allowed to live.

 Bromeliads enjoying the last of their summer vacation outside.  

 Also by Barbara Sanderson.


I'm gonna bust out of this awful prison if it's the last thing I do!


Alison's folly and greenhouse behind the newly designed front lawn. 


The biggest laugh of the day was this lawn flamingo skeleton. 

Thank you again, Alison for opening your beautiful and whimsical garden.  I hope you had as much fun as we all did!


42 comments:

  1. Allison's garden is lovely and such good fun and so nice to see your take on it. Hopefully we'll get to see her garden in the flesh one day, soon we hope!

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    1. It is a lovely and fun garden! Sounds like you're planning a return visit the the Pacific Northwest! Hooray!

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  2. Wonderful! I love the waterfall and how she used the stones to edge the border.

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    1. There are some great ideas to borrow in Alison's garden!

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  3. I'm totally freaking out over here, I love her garden so much! You'd never guess it was October--there's not a crispy plant in sight. And I love love love that crazy baby.

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    1. We don't get quite as hot here as y'all do down in P town. Alison's is a loveworthy garden!.

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  4. Alison's garden is just so beautiful. I love the Chasmanthium so much I've sought out a place that will sell me seed. Is it one of those that seeds everywhere do you know? It has an ominous similarity to Briza (which I do now have everywhere..).

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    1. Isn't it! My Chasmanithium has been quite polite but then it's not in the best spot either.

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  5. What a great tour of Alison's garden! I love her sense of humor, and I never realized how large her garden is. It's delightful!

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    1. The first time I saw her lovely space, I was surprised by how large and open it is. I also enjoy Alison's sense of humor!

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  6. "Treasures and surprises" indeed! Who would have thought about incorporating old eyeglasses in the 'scape???? (Personally, I'm not a big fan of blue babies, but then......) I like the gong hung close to the comfortable seat in Allison's folly. I like the adventurous spirit evidenced by breaking "rules" about front yards!

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    1. Using old sunglasses on sun loving plants is a fun joke! Alison incorporates humor beautifully in her garden. People either love or hate that blue baby.

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  7. Thanks for taking pictures that make my garden look so good. You refrained from posting pictures of the not-so-well-groomed areas. I always welcome a visit from you! There was another pair of Mickey Mouse ears elsewhere in the garden, I wonder if you found them?

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    1. I saw no not-so-well-groomed areas in your garden! It's always fun seeing you and/or your garden. I didn't find the other pair of Mickey Mouse ears. Where were they? It just struck me how rude I've been to not have you visit my garden. The g. house should be done on the 17th so perhaps the next weekend?

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  8. Wow, Alison's garden looks wonderful and you have shown a different view. I don't think I've seen that great street view before. Gorgeous!

    It's always so much fun to visit another gardener, you usually don't have to look for the house number.

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    1. She has a great garden! I like you comment about usually not having to look for a house number when visiting another gardener. So true!

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  9. So nice to see Alison's garden in person, but totally missed that skeleton flamingo, darn! That blooming aloe was magnificent, I'm so happy I came home with a little pup, thanks Alison.

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    1. It's always a treat to see in person a garden that you've seen on a blog for some time! Glad you got a pup of that aloe! Sweet!

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  10. I was disappointed to miss seeing this in person. Thanks for the nice overview. Alison's wit is on display at every turn. It was fated that you two become fast friends.

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    1. We were sad not to see you in person Rickii! Thanks for the cute aloe pup! It does seem like our friendship was meant to be!

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  11. Hahaha...love this, thank you for sharing especially as I wasn't able to come to the swap after all! But a nice tour around her garden and sense of humor is certainly visible..thank you Peter...love the Magellan shot too.

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    1. Sorry you couldn't come! Maybe next time? I enjoy Alison's sense of humor too!

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  12. What a lovely quirky garden Alison has, she is so talented and artistic. You have taken great photos too. I love it all, apart from the creepy blue baby.

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    1. It is always fun to see Alison's garden! Maybe baby will change color next summer. Red perhaps with lobster claws replacing the hands. It's pretty sunny in that part of the gardn.

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  13. I really wanted to see Alison´s garden!! thanks for showing!! I really like it

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    1. I'm glad you got to see it, even if it wasn't in person and that you like what you saw!

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  14. Well done, Peter. I am going to link your post on my blog when I get back home and get it posted.

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    1. Thanks Linda! It was so much fun to see and chat with you!

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  15. Haha, that flamingo! There's so much creativity and personality in this garden. The owners look like they have lots of fun with it.

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  16. What a fantastic collection of garden art. I'm so impressed! Love the glass work, especially the bird bath/fountain. And the Nasturtiums scrambling over the fence are great. Excellent garden, excellent tour. Thanks! Any chance of a fling in Tacoma?

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Jason! Alison and I are still cooking up plans for a Tacoma-area fling but will wait until folks are wanting to return to the Pacific Northwest. Wouldn't want the rest of the world to feel like we're bogarting the fling out west!

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  17. This is just so fantastic! I love every little thing in her garden. Specially that chair in the middle I guess. I'm sure everyone would love to sit there all day! =)

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    1. That chair does look very comfortable! Alison has a great garden and it's always a pleasure to visit both it and the Conliffes!

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  18. What a variety of plants and garden art! Alison's sunny personality is reflected in her garden. Thank you Peter!

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    1. It's interesting how our gardens reflect our personalities! So many fun things in Alison's garden!

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  19. Alison his so talented. Every photo made me think about how to improve my own garden. Thanks for sharing, Peter.

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    1. She is a very talented person and her garden is always lovely and very tidy!

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  20. What a great move to take an overall shot from the street! Stroke of genius! I loved walking around Alison's garden, discovering all the quirky details, all the while accompanied by the soothing sounds of water. The garden is oozing with the warmth and humor of its owners - it was an absolute joy to be able to visit!

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  21. It is a wonderful garden to visit and I'm so glad that Alison opened it for everyone to enjoy!

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