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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, June 9, 2017

Portland Getaway Visit Part Two: Cistus Nursery

For me, no visit to the Portland area is complete without a visit to Cistus Nursery.  So many treasures to see that there are a lot of images so I won't bore you with too many words.  Few Words Friday?

Can you imagine having this sort of driveway?

One never knows what he/she'll encounter in the densely planted beds on either side. 

Entering the Big Top!

Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy'

Interesting signage.


This one hopped into my cart.

NOID but beautiful bromeliad family member in glorious bloom. 

Ditto this Puya.


Another cart jumper. 


This one got serious consideration but my greenhouse is already packed to the gills in the winter so it stayed at the nursery for someone else to take home.


Sigh, so much glorious green!

Abutilon x 'Kenny Sweetheart'  "A Cistus introduction. New in 2005; named for our Jack-of-all-trades, Kenny Kneeland. Medium plant; warm yellow to peach flowers flushing to saturated coral pink with temperature drops or serious embarrassment."  Who could resist?


This cool leucadendron, one of quite a few members of the proteaceae family available on this visit.


Looks like this brutal winter was too much for Butia capitata.  It may surprise everyone with new fronds but even if it doesn't, it's still quite interesting.

More fabulous abutilons, a Cistus specialty.




I'd be terribly excited to find Fatsia polycarpa Needham form if mine hadn't survived. 

It was in this very space many years ago that I first experienced Agapetes 'Ludgvan Cross' in bloom. At that time there was a huge specimen cascading out of a pot on a table surrounded by small starts.


Seems this year has seen heavy bloom of Trachycarpus  fortunei in many gardens, my own included. 


Crinodendron hookerianum



Acacia pravissima is always fun for a few years until it gets killed by a cold winter.  


Carpentaria californica 'Elizabeth'

Yucca rostrata

Opuntia microdasys monstrose form.

Nolina looking glorious.  There's one in my parking strip.  Somewhere. Must go looking.

So much more to see and love.  I only wish I lived closer!

Time to head up the path to the parking area and head over to Joy Creek Nursery!
Hope you have a fabulous weekend in the garden!  Don't forget, Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival opens today and runs through Sunday.

23 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this tour of Cistus. My travels now always include and garden or two, and it is always a treat to share what other gardeners are seeing and enjoying.

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    1. It's always a pleasure to share the wealth of great nurseries we have in our region. Thanks for coming along!

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  2. Great looking nursery (never been). Were you able to resist Abutilon x 'Kenny Sweetheart'?
    I hope you 'find' your Nolina when you get home. Sorticulture is on my agenda for Saturday: I hope it doesn't rain too much.

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    1. Kenny proved to be too much of a sweetheart to resist so he came home with me. Fingers crossed for not too much rain for Sorticulture.

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  3. We skipped Cistus, since we don't have your affinity for the weird and the zonal denial. We did go to Joy Creek, and I have a post in the offing, if I ever get through all of the photos that are piling up. Ah, spring! So much to shoot! :-)

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    1. Isn't it an amazing time of year. It's nice to have a backlog of posts waiting in the camera.

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  4. It's been too long. I do live closer and I haven't been out there all spring. What's wrong with me!?!

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    1. There's only so much time in a day. I tend to miss some of my local nurseries that aren't close to my regular route too. Reminds me, I must go visit DIG!

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  5. Oh, that purple-flowered Puya! This is a nursery I very much hope I get an opportunity to visit in person someday.

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    1. Yes! Your stimulating-the-Oregon/Washington-economy tour of nurseries is long past due. Come up and see us sometime!

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  6. There's always something new and interesting to pick up there! I wonder if my two Puyas will ever bloom? Nigel and I are planning to head up to Everett on Saturday for Sorticulture, maybe we'll see you there.

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    1. Fingers crossed for your puyas and mine. They sure seem happy enough but it would be great to see some blooms. Rats! We went to Sorticulture on Friday. You'll have loads of fun & I look forward to seeing your haul!

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  7. If you lived closer you would need a 2nd garden to hold your purchases!

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    1. You are so right! A second garden, what a good idea!

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  8. I could see so many plants that we grow here as house plants, so many that I have managed to kill over the years! They look so much better in the right setting.

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    1. Many of these are house plants in the winter but get to have a summer vacation outside. It's always fun to look.

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  9. Oh, sigh. So many treasures, so out of reach.

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  10. The Opuntia microdasys is one strange looking plant. I gotta get out more but today it's 90 so it will have to wait.

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  11. you have so many fantastic nurseries in your area, Peter. This one is very special. They even have plants that can hop like kangaroos, hop into your basket anyway. Many other unusual plants too, beautifully photographed.

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  12. Happy memories, can't wait to see it again later in the year :)

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  13. Cistus is a magical place. I remember it well from the Portland Fling. Perhaps carts should have guard rails to deter jumping plants? Or perhaps not.

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