Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society Sale / Phoenix Perennials

On Saturday I was able to attend the Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society (PNWPEPS) plant sale.  I had been debating on whether or not to go.  Of course every part of me wanted to see what wonderful things I could find.  On the other hand, there was that fear of losing all sense of control and spending way too much money.  With the sun shining the latter seamed highly probable.  That coupled with the fact it was being hosted at Phoenix Perennials - plant mecca - I knew there would be temptations.  But would that stop me, of course not!

From the moment I walked in and saw these needle palms I knew I was in for a treat! Needle palms are just not seen in these parts.

Now this is something I have been contemplating purchasing for quite some time.  I love the blue green colour of chamaerops humilis cerifera.  I can see it all potted up in a beautiful terra cotta... Remember my dreams of a mediterranean overhaul?!  Do you ever notice how when you've been thinking about buying something you somehow pre-condition yourself to spending the money?!

I found myself saying similar things of pretty much all the plants... "oh I want that!"

I was able to pass on the true tropicals like these coconut palms... But as for agave medio picta alba, that is a little harder. I didn't buy one and have been regretting it.  Next time.

It's nothing new that I have a thing for tree ferns.  I think its all in the drama.

These Dicksonia Antarctica had me stopped dead in my tracks... and only $30! I love plant society sales!

I was so taken away with all the many treasures I might purchase at the sale that I had to walk around Phoenix Perennials to ponder my plant lusts.  Naturally I found myself rummaging through these wonderful agaves.

I had never seen this before ... yucca gloriosa "lonsestar."  I usually have my phone with me so I can do some impromptu plant investigations but I forgot it.  So I passed on these with the adage "next time."

This ... wow! What's better than one trachycarpus? Two! They actually came in clumps of three which was aesthetically much more pleasing.  Phoenix Perennials gained "legit" status in my books for this one.

I think they were speaking to me here with the hesperaloe, chamaerops, and agave medio picta alba!!!  It's like something from my happiest dreams.  I even love the pots!!!

I really wish I could say I purchased this.... It would be right at home with my new agave bovicornuta.

Wow. I think thats all I can say ...

Speaking of drama....

I can't say enough about the wonderful people I met at the plant sale.  I have followed the PNWPEPS for a few years now but have never been apart of it.  This year I took the plunge! I can truly say I look forward to getting to know such knowledgable and passionate people.  That and I somehow feel much more legitimized in my palm craziness.

So what did I buy at the sale?! You'd be surprised to hear that I was incredibly disciplined.  I managed to go home with just one of the Dicksonia Antarctica.  Here it is all planted up.

This spot was actually the home of my other tree fern that was moved down by the bananas.  This one is much bigger and can be better appreciated here.

I was given a tip from a society member that tree ferns love regular feedings of fish fertilizer!  Apparently dicksonia antarctica can put on several inches of trunk when given regular feedings of fish fertilizer throughout the growing season.  I got some epically nasty smelling bio fish fertilizer.  So bring on that fishy stank!!!

Beach Day, White Rock BC

With all this sunny weather it was only a matter of time before a beach day was in order.  For me, that means White Rock BC.  It's a special kind of place with fantastic fish and chips, ice cream (or in my case coconut gelato), wonderful coffee, and of course lots of palm trees!

You can see some small chamaerops humilis that are doing really well.  I believe these are the pups from a larger palm that was damaged back in the 2008 Snowmageddon.  They are coming along nicely.

This beachside planting always brings me joy.

But this house I have claimed as my own.  It has a mediterranean kind of feel and of course is surrounded by palm trees.

The view looking towards the Canadian Gulf Islands and US San Juan Islands.

There's something so soothing about breathing in the ocean air.  Especially with an ice cream cone in hand...

This yellow home with palm tree has a South Beach feel to it.

There are rows of homes with towering palms ... albeit a little ratty from the wind.
White Rock actually has been used as a stand in for Santa Barbara in the TV show Psych.

Bring on Beach Season!

New Agave!

It was really only a matter of time.  I have vowed to purchase agave bracteosa this summer, but had no plans to purchase anything like this.  I was checking out a new plant centre the other day when something caught my eye.  I found this agave hanging out in the back corner unlabelled and without a price tag.  When I inquired, the owner wanted to sell it and offered me a deal I could never pass up... $18.  So with that I purchased this Agave bovicornuta....

Looks like sharks teeth.  I love it!

This thing just screams attitude! Kind of venus fly trap meets tiger shark

But the story goes on ... I was also told they would bring in a whole line of agaves!!!! this could be dangerous!

foliage follow up

I can't believe we are talking May foliage follow up.  It feels like yesterday it was April follow up.  With all the warmth it's equally hard to keep up with the changes in the garden.  Quite literally things look different each and everyday.

All of the trachycarpus fortunei around town are pushing out new fronds at an impressive rate.  Once established these palms can put on 1.5 feet of trunk in one growing season quite easily.  That means, before long, these will be towering palms!

I love the shadows cast on this rock.  Throughout the day it changes.  Early in the morning it gets yucca shadows, then agave shadows, and finally butia capitata shadows.

Echeveria Glauca newly planted (still bearing its plant tag.  I have a bad habit of this ...  especially considering there is no question in my mind as to what this plant is)

A personal favourite.  I love when fatsia japonica are pushing new growth.  I take that back, I just love fatsia japonica in general.

Wollemi Pine.  I don't talk much about this plant.  It loves its sheltered corner.  I'm nervous to plant this, however.  Who really knows what the hardiness is like?

 Uh oh... do you sense a trend with the cordylines. I just can't help myself sometimes.

Musa basjoo are starting to take off.  This is so very exciting to me.  Nothing says tropical like some massive banana trees.  It always takes two or three ratty leaves in the spring before these really start looking good.  In other words, by next week, beautiful nanners.

One of the under appreciate stars of the garden are grasses.  I am terrible with their names.  You'd think maybe I should have saved the tags for these ones!  In any case, I really like how they soften things when planted in mass.

It's that same softness that helps contrast all the pointy edges like on this yucca gloriosa variegata.

I posted a few days ago about my new Loquat.  Well here it is all potted up for summer.

And for all the variegated fans...

Now moving into some shade.  This Acuba Japonica really brightens things up.  It's electric!

Hosta lane.... hmm it's possible I have more hostas than anything else in the garden.  It actually surprised me today.  I would never have guessed.

 This is a neglected, somewhat embarrassing part of the garden.  I do, however, love this large patch of rhubarb.  It reminds me of the gunnera I wish I grew but have no where to put it... and it tastes delicious

weeds... some more resilient than others.

 This little thyme smells like fresh lemons! It is fantastic.  I purchased this guy at the Van Dusen Botanical Garden plant sale a few weeks ago and only wish I had bought more.

Last but not least this fargesia nitida.  Well at least that's what I've been calling it.  It grows like a weed and thrives on neglect.  You can never have too many plants like this.  Not to mention they evoke the feelings of somewhere far away.