Daily Dose Blogger Bios
The Gardener Before Me
I want you all to know that I just wrote the most eloquent, sharply observed, poignant, and funny post about leaves changing color and falling off trees. It may very well have been the best thing I've ever written. And just when I was about to save it on Typepad - my computer up and froze on me. My brilliant meditation on seasons passing is gone, swallowed into oblivion.
My inspiration was a combination in my back yard that I didn't plant - a beautiful toyon (otherwise known as California xmas tree) and an ornamental pomegranite were planted by the woman who owned my house from 1927 - 1989. I imagine that she planted these two close together in anticipation of what they would do at this time of year, when the toyon is decked out in red berries and the pomegranite's leaves are fiery yellow and fluttering to the ground. She must have walked outside to get some air while cooking holiday meals and cut a few branches for a vase, congratulating herself for her good taste in shrubbery. Today, I also give her props, because every year I look forward to the moment when these two come into perfect complimentary allignment - the toyon at the peak of its fruiting glory, and the pomegranite; wan, waning, getting ready for a nice long nap.
Thank you, lady!
Dang, I hate it when I lose things. But, your post is not lost. I love those colors together. I think I mentioned my longing for Portland, Oregon. The tree mural is making me want to go even more. I hear they have real trees.
I heard that about Portland, too ... trees!
But if you can't have a real tree, a tree mural is the next best thing. And if you can't have a tree mural, what about a tree tattoo?! (I loved that image on your blog)
Nice--I like that as much as your agave + Cotinus pair. That would be a fun game--two gardeners going back and forth naming cool pairs.
And you also put yellow-flowering anigozanthos with tibouchina. So now you're fixed in my mind as a brilliant matchmaker. Do you do that with people too?
how great is it that a previous owner lived there for so long!
Often, in life, someone or something on their way out crosses paths with someone or something on their way in; what could possibly connect them? Color!
Chuckb - You know, now that I think about it, I DO do that with people! Judy (Elysian Landscapes Judy) will protest, I know - but I hooked her up with her husband and father of her child (same man)! That's pretty good, right?
You know what one of my current faves is? Agave mediopicta 'Alba' and Rosa 'Iceberg' - the agave really takes the 'priss' out of the rose.
I am honored to be recognized by such a refined garden eye as yours! Thanks, Chuck!
Chanchow - Isn't that amazing? We are the third owners of our home - the family who lived here in between us and the "Other Gardener" only lived here for five years. They loved it, but their family was getting too big. This house definitely has the feel of a house you want to live your whole life in...
Good to hear from you! How are the holidays treating you? Are you putting lights up?
Jan and I have decided to do the icy twinkly blue lights so that we don't look like the only non-holiday spirit people on our block. We have to represent!
Nimby - I love you.
Pomegranite has been one of my favorite plants since I first "discovered" plants. I was just starting my studies in ornamental horticulture and moved into a home in Los Angeles that had a venerable specimen shading my bedroom window. As beautiful as the foliage and flowers can be, it was the trunk and bark that fascinated me. Years later I crafted a stunning bonsai using a plant with a 6" diameter trunk that was only about 3 feet tall. Magical.
Now for my entry in the dueling duos (I call them Killer Combos): How about Aeonium tabulaformae (the dinner plate ones) and Echeveria (Hen and chicks). You can see it at my website (billygoodnick.com).
Thanks for the great post. I'm going to put you link at my blog (gardenwiseguy.blogspot.com).
Gardenwiseguy! I love your blog! I am totally going to usurp your term "Garden Janitor" - I HATE calling these guys 'Gardeners', too!
Let's share links - I'll give your info to my editress and your link should be up soon.
you know, I'm going to have to do a Favorite Combos post so that we can all shout out our greatest hits to each other! Dedicated to Chuckb and you, WiseGuy!
hey germi- our house was built in 1926 and we are the fourth owner. i love old houses! we don't have too many holiday lights on our block. last year our neighbor put up a big nativity scene, but they haven't done it this year (yet). we've thought about decorating, but knowing how lazy we are, once we put up lights, we'll never take them down!
Chanchow - your blog was making me laugh and laugh ... I'll figure out the new commenting rules and post. I loved your favotie things to do! We have alot in common...
We once left our xmas lights up for 2 years!