2015 Succulent Extravaganza plant porn (2 of 2)
Day 2 of the 2015 Succulent Extravaganza (see posts 1 and 2) started bright and early at 8 a.m. I left the motel in Marina at 7:15 a.m. so I’d have extra time in case I saw anything worth photographing along the way. And I did.
Sunrise over the Elkhorn Slough, an estuary on Monterey Bay, just a few miles down the road from the nursery
Moss Landing in the early morning light. This small community on Monterey Bay is literally minutes from Succulent Gardens.
I joined the 8 a.m. nursery tour led by Brian Kemble, the curator of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, who talked as eloquently as ever about the many types of succulents growing at Succulent Gardens. Afterwards I walked around on my own, letting myself be pulled here and there by whatever happened to catch my eye. That’s how the photos in this post were taken.
Honey bush (Melianthus major) growing in one of the most striking pots I saw at the Extravaganza
Plectranthus coleoides ‘Variegata’
The nursery is making a concerted effort to showcase companion plants that have similar growing requirements as succulents
California fuchsia (Epilobium sp.) is a logical choice and looks great next to this fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis)
The most pristine Agave guiengola ‘Crème Brûlée’ I’ve ever seen. The leaves on this agave bruise or break very easily so most plants you see in nurseries aren’t that attractive.
A good example of how to dress up a stacked rock wall with succulents and driftwood
Cactus for sale in the retail greenhouse
Euphorbia bracteata (previously Pedilanthus bracteatus)
Not sure I’d have a bottle border in my own garden but it looks good here
Echeveria subrigida on fire in the morning light
Ruffled echeverias
Carunculated echeverias—I’m still not sure whether I like this effect or not. But I’m definitely fascinated by the warty growths.
Ruffled echeveria in Danielle and Michael Romero’s undersea demonstration garden—a great choice!
Aloe vanbalenii in Danielle and Michael Romero’s undersea demonstration garden
Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’
Fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis)
Agave guadalajarana
Agave ‘Blue Flame’ (top) and ‘Blue Glow (bottom)
Field-grown aeoniums behind the propagation greenhouses; the black netting on the right protects larger aloes in 15-gallon pots
Aeoniums in half barrel
Aeonium tapestry
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’
Aeonium tabuliforme
Aeonium in a partially buried pot
Dudleya brittonii
Plantings along Elkhorn Road
Agave ‘Mr. Ripple’
Aeoniums come to life when backlit
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ underplanted with Senecio serpens
Perfect for Halloween!
The date for the 2016 Succulent Extravaganza hasn’t been announced yet but most likely it will be September 30 and October 1. 2016. Be sure to sign up for Succulent Gardens’ newsletter to remain in the loop.
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But but...what did you buy?
ReplyDeleteOops, I forgot to mention that. I only bought two plants (both #1 size): an Agave 'Blue Glow' (I didn't have one, can you believe it!) and another Kumara plicatilis because it was too nice to pass up.
DeleteI didn't buy one plant. Your photos make me wish I had. :)
DeleteDeana, many of the plants I wanted were only available in larger sizes and wouldn't have fit in my car.
DeleteBy the way, you were wondering about the 2011 Extravaganza, the first one. Here are my posts:
Part 1: http://www.succulentsandmore.com/2011/10/succulent-gardens-extravaganza-part-1.html
Part 2: http://www.succulentsandmore.com/2011/10/succulent-gardens-extravaganza-part-2.html
You didn't have a 'Blue Glow'?!?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
Maybe next year...
I know! Hard to believe! I have several 'Red Margin', which somebody sold me as 'Blue Glow'. But the two are NOT the same. 'Red Margin' is nowhere near as attractive.
DeleteGreat photos, as usual. While I enjoyed the succulent shots (particularly the back-lit Aeonium 'Zwartkop'), I loved the sunrise shot and the shot of Moss Landing.
ReplyDeleteI am just dying over that ‘Crème Brûlée.’ I can never post photos of mine now! Simply gorgeous. Everything looks beautiful, but the companion plantings are especially swoon-worthy. Thanks for this great series!
ReplyDeleteThat first "cactus for sale..." photo (the ninth if I counted right) is so great! A terrific combo of different colors and textures (and lighting). Big smile!
ReplyDeleteThat warty stuff is hard for me to love. It's like the evil twin of all the other beautiful, smooth-leaved plants. Nice to see the majestic Mr. Ripple again. I had vague plans to attend this year but couldn't justify two trips north in two months. Love the plectranthus near the SF pot. So glad you're out there roving with your camera!
ReplyDelete