Far Reaches Farm With Friends

On August 10, Alison, Loree, and I set out on a Nursery\Garden adventure that included visits to  Valley Nursery, Windcliff, The Brindley Garden, and Far Reaches Farm.  Although rain was predicted for the day and umbrellas were stowed in the trunk of the plant mobile just in case, only a few drops hit us.  When we arrived at Far Reaches Farm, Kelly said that they'd just had quite a deluge.

After one of the driest summers ever, this duck was pleased with his newly formed puddle.  As you can see in the reflection,  blue skies returned just in time for our arrival making wandering the garden and nursery much more enjoyable. 

Lyonothamnus floribundus in bloom.  I'd seen one blooming in California but not in Washington.  My own specimen is quite large but has never bloomed.  At it's feet, we see another California native, Romneya coulteri.

 Rosa sericea ptericantha

The deeply-incised leaves of this Schefflera delavayi always make me a little weak in the knees. 

Another one growing out in the sunny part of the garden. 

Far Reaches  grows fabulous Crocosmia varieties. 

Eryngium maritimum had the plant lust o meter dancing. 

Another ('Big Blue?')

Artemisia versicolor 'Seafoam' 

Plants not in the sales areas.  Perhaps the plants you'll order are back there somewhere. 

I try very hard to avoid the tables of sun loving plants as my garden has so little of that to offer anymore.  Temptation always gets the best of me and some poor plants end up being dragged home to try and make do with what light is available.   For some reason,  there aren't any pictures of the delectable offerings in the shade houses.  Must be my hands were too busy grabbing pots.

Crocosmia and  blur Agapanthus, a great color combination!

Made in the shade. 

Podophyllum difforme

Lepisorus aff.

 Seed heads of Fritillaria acmopetala

 Berberis jamesiana.  Flowers are followed by this fruit which starts turning salmon from the top of the cluster down and then gets even more intense in color during the winter.  I finally got mine stuck in a sunny spot of ground after growing for a couple of years in a pot in the shade.  Can't wait to see it do this!

Breathtaking foliage combination!

So many treasures to see.  If you can't make it to the nursery,  do check out their mail-order catalog here.

Have a great weekend all and don't forget the Heronswood Fall sale on Saturday from 10:00 - 3:00, the last one of the year.