Chances, Chances

It's three a.m.  the bartender has just announced last call, and you've only got one last chance...

Okay, it's really early afternoon, and the bartender is Dan Watson, and last call is for Holiday Decor.

One might think that the pickings were fairly scarce, and compared to what was previously a nursery stuffed full, they were.  To a boy raised in a tiny, relatively remote town, the last call offerings still seemed plentiful!

 Lots of artificial stems!

 As if that weren't enough, There was a huge section of merchandise at 30% off including one of my favorite home fragrances, Frasier Fir by Thymes. (Now available in a dish soap as well.) More of these items have moved over since my last visit. This stuff is expensive and rarely goes on sale.

Table after table of sale stuff.

A ceramic tray in which to put one's keys would probably get misplaced in my house but the sentiment works for me.

It's also time for the annual January 30% off houseplant sale.  The offerings were numerous, healthy, happy plants.

Including these spider plants that didn't look quite like spider plants to me due to the density of their foliage.  They were adorable and moved in such a cute way when gently shaken or blown upon.  Wouldn't one look great in a head planter?

Not part of the sale, these head planters are interesting but are for indoor use.  

I've got a crush on Crotons at the moment and have heard that some of the new selections don't lose their leaves when moved from one place to another.  Speaking of collections, I have a few pieces by Carruth Studios (website here) Seeing them always makes me smile.

New and colorful merchandise for the season to come!

I don't remember these being there before.  Aren't they adorable?

Need to refresh some winter planters?  Gotta get rid of this stuff because 

spring comes early in these parts!

How lucky are we to live here where it's still possible to plant those fall purchased bulbs in the ground and the bloom time for many of them is very near.

Or is it still the middle of winter.  So hard to know.  Either way, it's beautiful. 

While there were many temptations, I didn't buy anything.  Can you believe it?   

Have a grand weekend all.  

Coral Cactus?

Do you remember the movie "Mars Attacks" in which a human head has been grafted to the body of a dog?   The result was a bit shocking and a lot funny.  The sight of "Coral Cactus" reminds me of that scene for some reason.   This man-made plant is neither coral (there is coral color on some of them) nor cactus.

Rather, it's a graft of Euphorbia lactea crest (interesting article about euphorbia vs. cacti here.) atop  Euphorbia neriifolia.   These are usually sold potted with glued-together gravel mulch which isn't particularly good for the plant so they should be repotted after purchase.

That's actually been done to some of these.  

When thinking of grafted cacti, my mind goes here first. 

These are certainly interesting plants. 

Have you grown one of these?  Do you have strong feelings about them one way or another?  

Wednesday Vignette

Today's Vignette comes from First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma.  This courtyard is off to the side of the main building.  This building, erected in 1927 has so many interesting nooks and crannies to explore both outside and, one would imagine, inside as well.  

Wednesday Vignette is hosted each week by Anna at Flutter and Hum.  Click here to see the offerings of other participating bloggers.

What's Happening at the Seymour Conservatory?

A lot, it seems!  First up is an art exhibition, a few bit of which follows.

You may remember the garden and artwork of Claudia Riedener from this post.  The first work one sees when entering the Seymour is hers.

Triad
-Akio clay, glaze

"In an Edenic environment, three strange, fully-clothed figures appear.  Does their presence signal mischief or misfortune, a fortunate straying or eviction from the garden?  Do they guard the entrance to a eutopia or dystopia?  It's left for the viewer to decide."

Of course, there are still lots of plants to enjoy.

Unfortunately not labeled,  many specimens of this extremely fragrant rhododendron perfumed the air.

Azalea standards.  

In keeping with the art theme, this invitation on a door along with clip boards, pads of paper, and writing utensils. 

Tree ferns unfurling new fronds.

In the gift shop, measuring spoons for the gardener or grave digger. 

Changes are in the works and you can give feedback about future plans.

Which option would you choose?  What lies down the path for the Seymour?

I'll keep you posted!