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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, November 18, 2016

Rainy Day Shopping: Elandan Gardens

This is the first of the three places that we visited on a rainy Saturday at the beginning of the month but is featured last.  Turns out, this was to be the final expedition for the plant mobile as last week, on the way to work, another driver didn't see the plant mobile and turned left into it.  Fortunately no one was hurt but the plant mobile is a total loss.  We were together for ten of the car's eleven years and we went through a lot together.    Not being a car person, it was unusual for me to actually like the look of one but I did.  If you have a recommendation for a new plant mobile, let me know.  

You've perhaps seen Elandan's fabulous display gardens at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show or remember one of my previous visits to this magical place.   Photography is strictly verboten inside the "museum/shop" which is very much worth a visit.  However, the grounds surrounding the shop are strewn with interesting items.  Not being a bonsai aficionado, I've never paid to go through the back doors of the shop to see the garden.




Dig those fun bench legs.

Putti ensemble. 



One more reason to love Acer palmatum is their stunning winter silhouettes.

To hide those unsightly electrical boxes, simply plant a bamboo grove!  



Buddha holding sempervivum. 





I lust after these pink marble columns but don't know what I'd do with them.





Happy weekend all!

22 comments:

  1. Peter, once again I had such an enjoyable time reading your posts. I'm in awe of the garden centers in your area; we have so few here by comparison in Wisconsin that are nearby. Loved seeing your new additions from your blogging friend, too. I finally cut back my King Tut Papyrus; I did try to overwinter one last year, but apparently my neglectful ways weren't conducive to the plant's survival. Thank you for the armchair tour of glorious garden happenings!

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    1. It's a joy to share the great garden centers we have because that means I get to visit them.

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  2. Oh no, so sorry to hear about your plant mobile accident, but it sounds like you were unharmed, which is the important thing. You know we love our Prius, and I have managed to fit plenty of plants into it. It gets great gas mileage. I did pay for the bonsai tour the one and only time I've stopped at Elandan and you're not missing anything. She did say they're not really selling plants there any more. Those pink columns are fabulous!

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    1. For bonsai, I've enjoyed the collection at the former Weyerhauser campus. Plants have never been a big draw for me at Elanden but the stuff is fun.

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  3. So very glad that you weren't hurt.

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  4. I'm glad you are unharmed by the accident that totaled your car. It's a traumatic and stressful experience, especially when faced with the daunting task of replacing it. Driving a15 year old corolla, I'm not qualify to recommend a new car except to say that mine serves me very well so far.
    This post is soggy: puddles, rain, water features... hope you had your rubber boots on.
    I love the sedum holding Buddha; I will copy this idea as soon as possible.

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    1. I like and hope to copy the Buddha idea as well. I tend to hold on to cars for as long as I can (1995 Ford Ranger is still used for hauling stuff and Tom's Toyota has 286,000 miles on it and is still going strong.)

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  5. Ah that Buddha holding sempervivum is fabulous! Sorry to hear of the plant-mobile's demise. Good times in that car! I'm so glad you, and the other driver, weren't injured. I can very highly recommend my Kia Sportage. It gets great gas mileage for a SUV type vehicle and has lots of room for plants! Plus I feel safe in it. Even on I-5 in rain passing a semi-truck. Something I used to dread in the Bug.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation. We did have some good times in that plant-mobile!

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  6. I'm glad you (and the other driver) weren't hurt. I wish people would pay more attention when they're driving. I love all the cool stone benches and water features you photographed.

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    1. Oh well, no one was hurt. It wasn't intentional but I do tend to hold on to vehicles until the wheels fall off. Elandan has great stuff for sure!

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  7. Elandan seems to be intent on cornering the market in Buddha statues! I'm sorry to hear about your plant mobile but very glad you weren't hurt. When you shop for a new car, you should bring a lot of plants with you to see if the prospect vehicle can handle the load - I've been disappointed by the carrying capacity of my current ride, a Volvo "sport wagon."

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    1. Good idea. I actually said to the non-gardener that if we looked at cars in a certain area, we'd be close to a couple of nurseries and he said that choosing a car dealership based on proximity to nurseries is probably not the best criteria. What up with that?

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  8. And also very sorry to hear about the Plantmobile; we have a tendency to become very attached to our cars here; Carl drives a 1989 Oldsmobile, so yeah, that's old. But there's so much room in that trunk! I'm glad you weren't hurt. :-)

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    1. We tend to get attached to our vehicles here too. Tom's Toyota has 286,000 miles on it and I still have a 1995 Ford Ranger to haul things with. Oh well, accidents happen.

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  9. Losing your trusty car is a blow, for sure.
    We haven't been to Elanden gardens for a long time. Tom has created his own bonsai and we appreciate it, but we are not sure we approve of Dan Robinson ripping plants out of the wild, even if he does get permits. He and is wife and son are a talented bunch though, that's for sure.

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    1. I'd heard that about them ripping plants out of the wild and wasn't sure that it was the best way to do things. The people inside the store are very friendly but are quite worried about pictures being taken. I love the way the interior looks. Sort of like the storage area for some eccentric, world-traveling, shopaholic history, art, and nature lover. But the vibe...

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  10. Dear Peter
    I am so sorry to hear about your plant mobile, but so glad no one was hurt.
    LL the same it must have been quite a shock to go through though.
    My plant mobile is a 2008 KIA Sportage and I love it ! Loads of room to load garden "stuff" .. I think you would like it too!
    This garden center is amazing with all the sculptures ... I love it and the cragginess of the acer is magnificent .. my corkscrew hazel gives me that feature in the winter to see as well .. wonderful post & pictures !
    Joy : )

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  11. Very glad no one was hurt in that accident. Whatever your next vehicle turns out to be, I am sure it will bring home the best of the best in plants and objects d'jardin.

    Enjoyed your photos and comments, as usual. All that rain...it never ceases to amaze.

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  12. I lost my plantmobile the day after my job ended for the season. Considerate timing, don't you think? It was nothing dramatic, just a simple matter of age and miles driven (just passed the 250,000 mile mark). Which is to say, I empathize. The plantmobile is dead...long live the plantmobile.

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  13. Glad you weren't hurt in the accident and I pray you'll get just the right vehicle to replace it, maybe you've already done so by now. We do have to have our wheels to cart plants, curbside finds, etc. :-)

    Another interesting garden center. Makes me want to get out and work in my little garden spaces. Thanks for the inspiration.

    FlowerLady

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