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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.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Visiting Solabee and Boys' Fort

This summer, during the Garden Bloggers' Fling in Portland we often walked around the neighborhood around the hotel.  On one of these walks, we found Boys' Fort and Solabee.  Unfortunately they were closed and would be during the time that I wasn't attending fling events.  Fortunately, Tom was free during the day so he explored for me this store that looked so interesting from the sidewalk.  Here's some of what he saw.


If this looks familiar, you may remember Loree's visits here

This life-sized urinating centaur is quite interesting and hard to miss!

Owl made from shovel blades and other recycled metal pieces. 

 There's something here for just about any garden or interior.  Love the wood floors!

The survival for a year now of my first tillandsias has made me even more crazy about them.  Solabee had many that were beautifully displayed.  I asked Tom to pick up three that we'd seen in the window that were hanging upside down from sea urchin shells.  They now live in my kitchen window but may take up residence in the greenhouse.

 O.K. I'll do it!

While there are actually two stores, they blend seamlessly together, each complimenting the other.  Cacti, succulents, and tillandsias together.  Works for me!




Tillansia heaven!  I can't wait to visit Portland again and se the inside of this place myself!
 Everywhere you look there's beautiful and interesting stuff!







When you find yourself in Portland, do pay a visit to these two cool shops at 902 SW Morrison;  I know I will!

Until we can visit, we can check them out online here.

22 comments:

  1. Absolutely love the look and the items on this shop eversince it was featured on Loree's blog. And that urinating centaur still makes me smile whenever I'm reminded of it!

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    1. It is a great place and that urinating centaur is just the water feature that your garden needs:)

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  2. This shop just looks so interesting and different from the usual. I like the mention of the second level blending with the first, it's disappointing to climb the stairs to find less attention has been paid to the displays.

    If I'm ever in Portland...this shop and Digs and a few others.

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    1. It is really cool and actually, both shops are on the same level and blend seamlessly. Yes, Digs and this shop and all of those fab nurseries!

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  3. Next time I'm in Portland, this is definitely going to be on my itinerary! Looks like a cool place. Most of my Tillandsias are still alive as well, including one that has a baby. They are so easy to take care of. I've probably watered them less than I should, but they still survive.

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    1. It is a cool place! I've only had one tillandsia perish after blooming without sending out pups the rest are doing just fine. Aren't they cool plants?

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  4. Looks like Tom has a promising future as a guest blogger, perhaps he should get a monthly feature? ("Tom tours the garden" "Tom's take on the new plant purchases" "What I did while Peter shopped for plants" etc...)

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    1. What a cool idea! Don't know if Tom will go for it but it's worth a try!

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  5. Neat store! I guess girls are allowed so long as they carry a wallet?

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    1. Solabee is the girls' side but they've not drawn lines so there's lots of cross shopping!

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  6. I see your greengarage trending toward this look. It suits you well.

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    1. Oh my, that would be a great look for the greengarage!

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  7. This is one of those places you can't pass by without walking in. Eclectic artistic sort of place. Drawers filled with potted plants is a fun way to display a large collection while using an old dresser. I certainly feel my creative imagination working overtime after such a post.

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    1. There are many great ideas inside this place. I can't wait to see it first hand!

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  8. This looks like a really cool shop, lot's of interesting things to look at. Have a great weekend Peter.

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    1. It is indeed. I wish you a wonderful weekend too, Karen!

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  9. I saw that store from the outside also--wish I had been able to visit. The steampunk owl is cool!

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  10. Now that would be a highlight of a trip to Portland! I can see that it would be a great place for any gardener or designer. I have one tiny Tillandsia that I've had for about five months now. It hasn't died, but it's not growing--at all. I soak it once a week and mist it occasionally. I'm hoping it will take off one of these days.It was a baby plant that a friend gave me. They are fascinating plants!

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    1. They are sometimes very slow growing! Every three weeks or so, I mix a little water soluble fertilizer at about 1/4 strength and mist with that & they seem to like it.

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  11. I've never seen a garden center with such a fantastic interior. It's beautiful.

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    1. It's more of a design/florist/house plant kind of place than an all out garden center but it does have a fantastic interior!

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