I really like this bit of planting, and a lot of that has to do with the contributions of Euphorbia ‘Copton Ash,’ the dark eucomis, and the tawny leaves of the Arctostaphylos pajaroensis hybrid. The flowers of Euphorbia ‘Miner’s Merlot,’ just seen on the left above, carry the same russet tones as the manzanita, as does Carex testacea. ‘Copton Ash’ reminds me of a miniature Euphorbia certatocarpa, seen recently and fawned over at Cistus. There are similar types like ‘Dean’s Hybrid’ and ‘Blue Haze’ which haven’t succeeded for me, and that might be on me. These euphorbias are not rubbery-leaved like characias but more willowy in habit. Billowy even. ‘Copton Ash’ doesn’t self-sow, thank goodness.
As a side note, on the subject of reseeding, I’m getting some light reseeding from supposedly sterile Eryngium ‘Big Blue,’ a cross of alpinum and bourgatii, which is totally fine.
The circular silver drum was some kind of farm feeder, its bottom drilled and handle removed to make a home for an agave. (I’m no stranger to salvage, but in this case finding a large, cheap container was the primary consideration.) A local nursery was carrying gallons of Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie,’ a rare offering for the coast. I passed it up a few times but ultimately couldn’t let it go. Such treasures do not normally make their way to the coast. It seemed inevitable, meant to be. Returning for ‘Vanzie’ I noticed nearby Yucca ‘Silver Anniversary,’ a cross by Plant Delights of filamentosa and pallida. Intriguing! Not really wanting a potentially gigantic whale’s tongue agave in my small garden, I left with the yucca. What were these plants doing at my local hanging-basket-petunia-calibrachoa nursery? I posed that question to its owner, and she laughed, “These are my plants — I’m from Arizona.”
More soon, AGO
You were meant to have an agave. So happy you found one. ‘Vanzie’ is my favorite form of ovatifolia.
You have quite an assortment of (to me) rare euphorbias. And Brachyglottis greyi — I’ve tried and failed several times. What a beauty.
Gerhard, I swapped the agave for the yucca! But you say ‘Vanzie’ is your favorite kind of whale’s tongue? Now I’ve gotta go back…
Light reseeding is nice. I mean, we want things to thrive but not take over! A fine line, lol. Yucca ‘Silver Anniversary’ is gorgeous – and you didn’t have to pay that insane shipping. A SCORE! I love Brachyglottis greyi.
A well-behaved Euphorbia is a wonderful thing to behold. I planted E. cyparissias in the ground and it is starting its rampage through the shade garden. E. robbiae has made its own attempt to take over the deer garden. And, Paul at Xera warned me, but now the statuesque and long-lasting E. characias is seeding itself with wild abandon into every available space in the garden. I can’t bear to cut down the flowers before they go to seed – they last for months! What can I say, I have a weakness for them that overtakes my common sense.
I kept scanning the photo, looking for the Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie’ … then I finished reading. But really, you need to go back and get it! (more Eryngium is always a good thing…)
@Tracy, so true about light reseeding, most plants don’t know how to do it! A very dark-leaved angelica has thrown a few seedlings around too, always in the oddest places. Keeps us on our toes!
@Jerry, I planted that cyparrisias too when the garden was young and bare — big mistake! It’s all been removed, knock wood. Haven’t had much trouble with characias yet. One of the pestiest reseeders has been dierama, insinuates itself everywhere, never saw that coming! I’ve got a euphorb weakness too.
@Loree, I’ll probably go back and grab ‘Vanzie’ — I bet it’s still there, no real takers for agaves locally.
As pretty as they are I cringe when I hear anything about Euphorbia’s in the garden. I have been digging out seedlings of E. polychroma for years and don’t seem to be making much headway. The soil must contain an unending supply of seeds. Your garden looks lovely and I think the yucca was probably the better choice as I don’t where you would pop a huge agave into such a lush mix.
Nice groupings, Denise! I must know the name of this nursery with such unexpected finds; is it the former Hidden Acres, just off 101?
@Elaine, that’s good to know about polychroma since I’ve always wanted to try it! I feel the same way about yucca vs. agave, but weakened and went back for the agave too. I’ll grow it like an annual — hopefully it won’t survive to grown 6 feet wide.
@Jane, you know your nurseries. Tamara took the nursery over, and her oyster farmer husband operates the restaurant called JAndy’s. It all smells so great, and the open-faced crab melts are a treat. More restaurant than nursery I’d say. Tamara does the hanging baskets for lots of local businesses and along Hwy 101 thru downtown Tillamook and that’s the main focus.