Within the span of five days, I visited two more garden centers in the search for plants to fill vacancies in the succulent bed I've been renovating. I can't claim any discoveries that have pulled the entire picture together in my mind but, for me, building a garden bed is a painting rather than a puzzle. Each decision alters the overall composition.
Armstrong, my local garden center, part of a chain, provided relatively few choices in terms of either agaves or Leucadendrons. There were more aloes than I'd expected but nothing unusual and the agave selection was very limited. I considered a few alternatives.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I briefly considered Dasylirion longissima (left), Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' (right rear) and Yucca linearifolia (right foreground) but ruled out each for different reasons |
I didn't find the Leucadendron 'Summer Red' I'd fixated on, or any Leucadendrons in one-gallon containers for that matter.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Armstrong had Leucadendrons 'Winter Red' and 'Ebony', both of which I already have in my garden |
For reasons I can't fathom, I was attracted to one ceramic piece that had nothing whatsoever to do with my shopping list but better sense prevailed.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The Talavera-style ceramic gecko was cute but expensive and I've absolutely no idea where I'd put it |
I didn't check off any of my bigger ticket items but I didn't go home entirely empty handed.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I bought 2 small pots of Osteospermum 'Serenity Coral Magic'and one small pot of O. 'Serenity Dark Purple' (because they didn't have any more). I also bought 3 of each of the Echeverias shown in the bottom row in 2-inch pots (left to right: Echeverias 'Afterglow', 'Mexicano', and 'Serrana'). |
On Tuesday, a neighbor and I took a trip to Flora Grubb Gardens in Marina Del Rey. That garden center offered a lot of choices in terms of water-wise plants.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The large area directly west of a freeway exit was loaded with Agaves, Leucadendrons, and Leucospermums among other plants |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| There were a range of mixed succulent vignettes like these arrayed throughout the garden center too |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Clockwise from the left are: a mix of agaves, cactus, and Leucadendrons; Agave gypsophila 'Ivory Curls'; and Agave americana mediopicta 'Alba' |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Display of Leucadendrons and pots (left) and Leucadendron 'Red Eye' (right). I was briefly obsessed with the latter but, as it can grow up to 20 feet tall, I reluctantly turned away. |
My friend was focused on Leucospermums.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Closeups of just a few Leucospermum flowers, clockwise from the upper left: L.'Flame Giant', L gueinzii, L. 'Helene', and L. 'Naomi' |
Other plants sounded a siren's call but were resisted.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Another Anigozanthos in the Bush Gems Celebration series. This one is 'Aussie Spirit'. It was in a larger pot than the 'Masquerade' variety I'd purchased a week before in a one-gallon pot at Deep Roots and more than twice the cost. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The Grevilleas on display included 'Long John', 'Misty Pink', and 'Sandra Gordon' |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| From left to right are Beschorneria yuccoides, Podocarpus henkelii, and assorted bromeliads |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I've been a little obsessed with Beschorneria since my neighbor showed me this specimen in her front garden last weekend. She says it was planted at least 8 years ago and this is the first time it's bloomed. I have 2, one older than that but unfortunately almost entirely buried under my ginormous Leucadendron 'Chief'. The other, a variegated 'Flamingo Glow', is still small after 2 years in the ground. Planted from a 4-inch pot, I think I have a long wait ahead before it blooms. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| My phone identified this butterfly as a mourning cloak |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I bought yet another Agave 'Blue Glow' but this one came in a 3-gallon container. I planted 2 smaller specimens of the same agave, picked up last year in 4-inch pots, on either side of the spot intended for the larger one. In lieu of a Leucadendron, I selected Chondropetalum tectorum (aka small cape rush) to add a touch of softness to the bed. I have a larger version of this plant, which I love, but it grew far bigger than advertised and overwhelmed its spot. This one should only grow 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| A Phormium 'Maori Queen' like this one in a garden bed near the front door might be a nice option |
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party