foliage follow up

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a foliage fan.  After all, we look at the foliage most of the year.  Flowers, while beautiful, are always coming and going.  Foliage has the "tried tested and true" seal of approval so to speak.  And with a couple of nice weekends things are really coming to life.  

 I absolutely can't wait for my canary island date palm to explode with growth this summer!  I'm thinking of getting a potted bougainvillaea to make myself think I'm somewhere in the Mediterranean.

Without the cordyline australis red sensation, it definitely feels much less sub-tropical back here. But that's okay, I'm actually coming to terms with the changes - though I have three other red sensations planted elsewhere and at least a half dozen in pots.

Phormium "super trooper" - my name for it anyways - is doing great! maybe even a bloom this year?

 I think I shared my excitement last week about finally finding a sedum palmeri!  I have spent far too long hunting for this plant.  Now I'm excited to see it go wild!

If you were to ask my nursery going friend Becca, she would tell you, I have been talking about buying an olive tree for years.  I don't even know what had been stopping me! It just belongs.

I know what you're thinking here, is that a really small garden shed!? No, not really, its actually a massive mediterranean fan palm!

What's that, a new agave?! introducing my newest plant acquisition ... agave parryi huachucensis!

And I just had to share these from Vancouver.  Easily 6 feet tall with about a 12 foot across crown, these dicksonia antarctica are monsters!

April Bloom Day

I know I'm a bit late on this bloom day...  but I wanted to share some Vancouver blooms for April!  A few years ago Trachycaprus Fortunei seemed to be the "it" plant.  And while almost every plant install in Vancouver seems to feature a grove of trachycarpus, Euphorbia wulfenii is everywhere these days! Do I mind? No, I love!

One of the most celebrated annual events in Vancouver, the Cherry blossoms.

I love how west coast this scene is... notice the potted Trachycarpus?

But keeping with more blooms, here are some from Stanley Park.

Star Magnolias are putting on a show.

This Camellia Japonica had dusted the ground with an electric shade of pink.

mmm.... a much beloved combination!!!

I snuck this one in because of the red annuals, Not! Actually, I was admiring the cordyline red sensation that seemed to have made it through the winter - unlike my late sensation.

This drive way brought be exceeding joy!  Imagine the possibilities. Great hardscape already in place, a stones throw from the ocean, and merely 20 feet above sea level, sheltered location ... In Vancouver that equates to one of those epic zone 9a spots that the owners can get away with just about anything.

But wait... check out the front!!! (I justify this one based on the containers of daffodils).  I'm thinking a couple of nice agave americana variegata in those pots would be wonderful.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  I hope that everyone is enjoying a nice weekend!  I have always been one of those festive type people. To me, every holiday should be celebrated with lots of good food and of course presents to yourself!  And being that I saved so much money by making my own succulent wreath last week I had my eyes set on a brand new agave parryi.  I had an inclination about a nursery in Richmond  (close to Vancouver airport) that I needed to visit called Phoenix Perennials.  I didn't take any photos because they were still very much setting things up - probably due to our abysmal start to spring.  I was fortunate, however, to be given a tour of the production areas where I spotted some agave friends!  Struck with a moment of incredibly weakness, I bought two!!!!

So without further withdraw, meet my newest Agave Ovatifolia!! 

and my new AGAVE PARRYI!!!! I have been lusting after a nice agave parryi of comparable size for far too long!

Here they are nicely settled into their new homes.

The lounge chairs even came out to celebrate!!!

I also found this wonderful sedum palmeri that I have been hunting for!

It is finally feeling like real spring!  Even the bananas agree!!!

Just when I thought I had gone way overboard with new plant acquisitions.... I came across this wonderful little olive that I have named "Ollie"

Who could resist such a graceful plant with those gorgeous blues and greens! NOT ME!!

What could make all of this even better?! Tickets to a Jamie Durie presentation at Cedar Rim! It's official I'm completely out of control!

Salt Spring Island Jungle!!

Last year I blogged about Salt Spring Island Canada and the Canadian zone 9.  I just came across this video the other day and thought I would share it with you.  I have a special place in my heart for Salt Spring Island Canada. This recent video shot by "banana joe" shows his SSI jungle!! I hope you enjoy.

Fun Facts: Salt Spring Island is apart of the Southern Gulf Islands in Canada.  Believe it or not, they are located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula and are much drier than the rest of the Southwest Coast.  That coupled with an amazing sheltered coastal location makes much of the island a solid USDA zone 9a.

 I get some major Eucalyptus plant lust from this one!!!!

Aloha! More fun from Hawaii

It's tuesday... rain, wind, dark grey skies, and all I can think about is how I wish I was back in Hawaii. So I though I would share more from my trip.  One of the most exciting things about visiting Oahu was being able to see Hanauma Bay.  It has been a life long dream of mine to snorkel in the pristine waters of what I can only describe as the most beautiful bay ever!

Whilst mere days before we arrived they had to close the bay due to run off from a large storm, we experienced ideal conditions! I could not have been happier!

I don't know what this plant below is but I fell in love with the foliage! It appeared to be native but I could be wrong. anyone know what this is?

Travellers palms were everywhere in Waikiki! I have always found them majestical.  It is a definite statement in a landscape.

and would it be Hawaii without the sweet fragrance of plumeria?!

Tree ferns!!!! One day I hope my little tree fern looks something like this. Right now its a small softball sized stump.

Any Hawaii Five 0 fans are well aware of this view. (doo doo doo doo dooooo doo)

Hotel grounds around Waikiki

On our second to last day, I got up early to hike Diamond Head.  Looking back on the valley at the base of Diamond Head is so lush!

snorkelling anyone?!? I could handle living in one of those homes down there... jumping in the water for a surf, snorkel, paddle board or just dip to start off the day - after a good strong cup of Kona coffee of course.

The hike up Diamond Head is sooo worth the view!!!

Looking back on Waikiki

I hope that warmed your Tuesday!!! 

weekend project

So a few days ago I decided I was going to build a succulent wreath.  I had long wanted one but when I saw them selling for $100 dollars at a local nursery, I decided I needed to make my own!!!  So in the midst of a torrential downpour and what felt like freezing cold, I got to work.

Lots of the sempervivums came straight from the garden and from a variety pack of eight happy sempervivums I got just the other day for only $10!!!

The wire frame $4, the moss $3.50 and bam!  All in I was under $20... does that justify buying the agave parryi I have been lusting over?!!?  Now I just have to be patient enough to let everything settle into place.

Happy monday and april 2nd!!!! pray for sunshine everyone!!