Wednesday Vignette
While I was in Seattle a couple weeks ago, I visited the Washington Park Arboretum for the first time. I saw many wonderful plants and combinations there, but my favorite may very well have been the cork oaks (Quercus suber). The heavy limbs of the larger trees twisted sinuously through the air, covered in thick, textural park. As further embellishment, mosses and licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) had colonized the branches, creating entire microcosms in the air.
I have three of these beautiful trees in my garden, though they range in size from about 2 feet to around 6 feet tall. While I don't plan on living here forever, I look forward to seeing how they'e grown on return visits. I do wish, though, that I could push the fast forward button on their growth to see them as big, mature specimens.
This is my contribution this week to Wednesday Vignette, hosted by Anna at Flutter&Hum. Be sure to follow the link to see Anna's vignette and others.
I have three of these beautiful trees in my garden, though they range in size from about 2 feet to around 6 feet tall. While I don't plan on living here forever, I look forward to seeing how they'e grown on return visits. I do wish, though, that I could push the fast forward button on their growth to see them as big, mature specimens.
This is my contribution this week to Wednesday Vignette, hosted by Anna at Flutter&Hum. Be sure to follow the link to see Anna's vignette and others.
One of the many great things about gardeners is that we are continually investing in a future we will never live to see.
ReplyDeleteI do love thinking about the plants continuing to grow after I'm gone, but at the same time I want to see it for myself.
DeleteThanks for sharing this shot of the ferns and mosses living on a tree limb. I love how this happens so often here in the PNW. There's something magical about it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I love mossy trees with ferns growing on them.
DeleteI love the mosses and ferns spanning the tree's branches. I don't suppose the same effect could be created in SoCals' climate.
ReplyDeleteProbably not, unless you had a garden well within the fog belt, with a mature canopy of trees to reduce wind. You might be able to do something with Spanish moss and staghorn ferns, with a misting every few days. There are some pretty drought tolerant bromeliads and orchids you might try. Maybe this fern nursery in the LA area might be able to offer some advice if you write them: http://www.fernfactory.com/Main/default/default.aspx
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a real life cork oak. How cool that you have them in your garden! Like Alison, I can't get enough of ferns growing in trees either - I have a total weak spot for them!
ReplyDeleteA lot of people I've talked to have been fascinated by seeing real life cork oaks for the first time. It's fun introducing them to the plant. There are two at Cistus, both in containers but they've rooted into the ground by the big compost bin.
DeleteBeautiful shot Evan, and I'm glad to hear you made it to Washington Park. Did you visit the Pacific Connections garden?
ReplyDeleteThanks! The Pacific Connections garden was top of my list to visit. After that my friend and I just wandered around.
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