At 4:24pm today I responded to Chris and Dan, that I would very much like to acquire their Agave americana var. medio-picta alba. At 4:26pm, I received confirmation of where to pick up the plant. They helped me load up this beast and off on my way I went meeting Channing to help me install it. At 5:16pm, I was home and sitting down to make this entry. So, I repeat, Bam, and I add a Pow! I adore this agave!
A big giant
T H A N K Y O U
goes to Chris & Dan, and Channing.
Also installed were some Aloes, cotyledons, some bulbine and lots and lots of Agave parryi to surround the big medio-picta and keep it company. The picture of the medio-picta above shows it before I was able to plant the other plants around it to keep it company. Channing also thought that if I did this, it might 'protect' it. Either way, it looks really good and again I am so delighted to have this specimen for the community to see.
So here is the view of the installed surrounding plants. The tequilana on the left and the parryi on the right.
The A. tequilana is the very one used to make tequila- obviously I suppose. It is in the picture of the truck bed right behind the familiar Agave americana in the terra cotta colored pot.
In the foreground being cut off, are the bulbine. I hope these do not get too weedy as they tend to die out from the center and create a ring of green around a dried center of stems.
In the back left are some clumps of Aloe nobilis from my front yard hedge.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012
My hands are dirty as I type this, fresh from the cool damp soil of the Bosworth median. I added just a few bits and pieces today to clean up a section of the deck out back here at home.
You've got your senecio vitalis's, crassula ovata's, bush aloes, and probably some plants I am forgetting right now. The oxalis is getting a firm start, so I think in a week or so I may just come out with a hoe and chop them off.
But look at this one! I feel 95% sure of identifying it as Fascicularia bicolor. If anyone knows otherwise I really would appreciate the information. (check down 2 postings to 'Rocks' to see the progress it has made)
Finally, I received a few long, long awaited rocks. This gave me the opportunity to plant more aeoniums, an agave from Odette, Graptoveria "Fred Ives', some Calandrinias I have been rooting from Annie and some other odds and ends. After installing the rocks and plants, I realized I really would like to find more rocks. But as noted in the previous posting, things come in at the pace people decide they don't want them anymore, and donate them. Maybe I shouldn't be so casual about the odds and ends. I installed a Ceanothus Dark Star and two low growing C. hearstiorums (Hearst's ceanothus). Do I dare admit that these plants were a purchase? Well, the CVS pharmacy in Oakland with the amazing reputation (that was accurate by the way) of carrying a really good succulents, did not go out of business after all. I had to stop in and see. It sure isn't like it was. Too bad.
I can say that it is looking good now and I am really counting on the rain to set these plants in. The soil is tough- rocks, asphalt chunks and some heavy sand in spots, the plants are either going to hate it or love it. I know the agaves will love it.
These Graptoveria "Fred Ives' (pictured to the right) are really going to look good once they get a chance to grow. They are remainders for way back in April. But look at the image below. This bromeliad is so very cool looking. It is in the process of flowering and it is quite colorful, considering the dominant color when in flower is pink. I will try to get some progress images to show the process. Perhaps now that I can show what the flower looks like and I may be able to ID it. The plant came from Santa Clara, but I have got no other details than that.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012
Today I met Marilyn, a lovely kind neighbor that came out to say how much she enjoyed the plantings. So delightful! In chatting with her, I realized that the layout I am engaged in is a design by default. All plants are donated, so as they come in, they get added. Not in the traditional way of garden design, creating a planned layout and specific look.
Anyway, today I added the plants I received from Susan in Pacifica. This picture of the truck bed seems to hide the multitude of plants I installed. The agave in front is one from Marsha up North from months ago. I have not yet ID'd it either. Not the americana as this one is a much lighter blue, has tiny teeth on the edges and stays at a rather manageable size- 5' tall before flowering.
The Phormium tenax (might be pink stripe or rainbow queen) were installed as it turns out in the perfect spot- directly in front of Marilyn's house so she can look out at her new plants. It means a lot to me that she took the time to come down and say Hello and not just wave.
-Don't say it I know, I need rocks!!!
In the lower right corner, you can see an Athanasia pinnata- CA native. It will look different once it sets in. There are also some green Aeoniums set in between the Phormiums. The Salvia sonomensis (2 pics above and the 1 pic below) are so cool to me, and I planted several clumps. I am very excited about the Salvia sonomensis. Susan told me it is a vigorous grower, so let's see how it does come the hot weather following the rains. The third image showing the Salvia also features an agave from Marsha, yet to be ID'd. It seems like it would be the A. americana variegata, but it is not. The leaves are different in shape and rigidity.
I removed a Beschorneria yuccodies from my yard. It flowered this past summer. I took it out to the median (image to the left) as it is sprouting all sorts of offsets, and I want the room for other things. If it sustains all these pups, it will be quite the sight when they decide to flower. This will be quite a while...
The picture to the right shows a great example of Euphorbia wulfenii. In my experience, it is not the easiest to transplant at this size, but I am counting on the rains coming later today. These are used widely across the city in the median strips as they look amazing and can take a beating.
I received many great plants from Susan including the Libertia peregrinas (not shown).
One of these interesting plants is the California Iris (Iris douglasiana). They are shown in the picture to the left. I have not grown these, so we will see if I can keep them happy out on that median. Luckily, they have the cool weather ahead to set themselves in. Had I thought ahead, I would have made a picture of the roots/tubers. The are an amazing red/fushia color.
I sure hope it rains as predicted, but it is almost 5pm as I am writing this and no rain....
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Last but certainly not least the Banana tosser is fast at work. THe aim was excellent on this toss, impaling the peel on the spine just so..... what else can I say? Marilyn and I joked about the peels at least being organic and perhaps a beneficial mulch yet undiscovered by man. Eh, what to do- I have considered a sign, but really, what would it say?
Please do not toss your Banana peels at the plants
Please green waste instead of throwing out your car window
Interested in becoming a volunteer to spread mulch, please contact me at: oshaughnessygreen@gmail.com
Please don't feed the Agave
Please do not toss your Banana peels at the plants
Please green waste instead of throwing out your car window
Interested in becoming a volunteer to spread mulch, please contact me at: oshaughnessygreen@gmail.com
Please don't feed the Agave
See, none are right. Besides, what would those who don't know about the Banana tosser think- they will be too distracted and cause an accident. No, I just need to keep joking and think positive!
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012
Today I was given some new plants. Sadie and Jerry, neighbors, and members of the SFSCS, had an Agave americana ready to go. It certainly out grew it's wine barrel and now is set free on the Bosworth median to grow and take over!
They have said they will drive by and look for their babies.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2012
Today I added the two lovely Agave attenuata's from Barbara, whom I couldn't thank enough! These are such nice plants and I have been craving some for the expansion. I moved the bromeliad, and a couple of the agave from last installation to thin out what I had started. I am going to fill in the open areas as far as I can go on Bosworth.
Here is the list of the plants I added today.
2 Agave attenuata
2 Agave angustifolia variegata
Agave murpheyi (I think)
Aloe nobilis
Aloe breviflora
2 Geranium maderense
Bulbine
yucca recurvifolia
The before and after (not from the same vantage point) 
I really hope I can find some substantial rocks to add to the plantings, they look naked and vulnerable out there....
These are the Geranium maderense.
These are the Aloe breviflora.
This is what I think is the Agave murpheyi.
The two lovely Agave attenuata's from Barbara! with the Bulbine in the middle.
The Yucca recurvifolia.
The Aloe nobilis.
And finally, the Beschorneria relaxed as I expected.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012
Today I added tons of plants to the OG-annex. It was the perfect climate for planting. Overcast, and sort of damp. It says it will heat up to day though. I was finally able to add some of the spectacular agaves that Angela donated to the plantings. I also was able to add a Beschorneria yuccodies Sylvie via Connie who with Eileen, is doing the amazing job on Circular Drive, donated. She drives by this median almost everyday, so I have a big job to make it thrive and please Sylvie. You know how a person (not me of course) can get attached to a plant..... I need tot use some restraint here as the area is looking full. Stop John, STOP. One across-the-street neighbor, as they were pulling out of their garage, yelled over to say 'good job'. You know this goes such a long long way for me. People appreciate the plants! ahhhhhhh....
Being that Sylvie and I are neighbors, she asked if I had an opinion on the cutting of the trees in Glen Canyon. She and I feel similarly I think. I see both sides. In the short term, the are will feel bare and open. In the long run, it is better for the Canyon. We both agreed that even though there are protests going on, the trees will be cut. It seems a mater of trust as Sylvie pointed out that they will actually replant what they say- 3 to each one removed. The plan states that 6 trees will be removed due to the new design and 52 trees will be removed due to poor health, structural defects and/or hazards. 163 new trees will be planted. Click for plan details. She added a concern that I had not thought of and that is that those mighty non-native Eucalyptus trees are a very efficient noise barrier from the O'Shaughnessy traffic.
Following, are the plants added:
Agaves-
potatorum (pictured)
'blue glow' (pictured)
celsii (pictured)
'Rosa Gorda'
scabra
weberii
xylonacantha
This is a lovely bromeliad of some sort.
I am not able to ID it but while it has
common enough leaves, the flower is
sunken and almost a hot pink circle of
a glowing ora around the flower
mound. If it flowers soon, I will
picture it here of course.
The picture to the right here shows the location for the Beschorneria yuccodies. Here on the left, it seems to be frozen in its' bound up position I put it in for removal.
When it relaxes more, I will snap a pic in its' more normal relaxed graceful appearance.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012
So the annex is born. More room- so I thought. It feels almost done after this first day of planting. All the mulch was there. I brought in everything else. What was a weekend full of loss, has become a new beginning -for me anyway. I plant in memory. ∞ DF and BW ∞
The main attraction, the Agave weberi in the lower left corner of this picture to the left, was acquired yesterday with Channing's help of course. It came form Suzi and Ryan, a lovely couple in Martinez. This agave makes me so happy! The shape is so graceful and the color so sky blue and turquoise.... pleasing.
Here is an odd thing- This area is used for a banana peel depository - really. There are countless blackened banana peels strewn about the entire area. Will they keep falling from the sky? Does a little Monkey live in the near by Eucalyptus tree? Are they from one woman or man that times their morning ritual just so that they are passing this median by just as they finish their daily banana? We shall see.
Here is what got planted
Agaves:
1 weberi
1 salmiana 'Green Giant'
1 americana veriegata
2 tequila
1 angustifolia
3 parryi
and 5 Aloe maculata
Today, I was invited to collect several Agaves from Diane in Tiburon. The best one in my opinion, is this guy. An Agave americana variegata. A few years back I dug out my first mature agave. It was in Sacramento and of the same variety as this one. However, I couldn't lift it onto the truck bed by myself. I delivered it to Annie of Pennsylvania Street Gardens and she named it Moby Dick. At that time it was one of the larger plants she had. Today, this one was just the right weight for me to hoist it onto the truck bed. Diane was so generous to donate these agaves, and she was extra nice and gave me a bag of delicious home grown figs!
I wonder how long ago the picture she sent me was taken. The agave were larger, but not too much. All the blue americanas went to Connie and Eileen for their Circular Drive project.
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