Tuesday, 21 August 2018
I picked a bouquet to take to a friend’s house after work. I had thought the pickings would be slim. I found a good supply of flowers, after all.
Our original plan had been to work on a couple of the Long Beach parks. When we stepped outside, we were met with a blast of heat and of wildfire smoky haze. Working in a hot park seemed unbearable so I decided we would water the Port of Ilwaco gardens instead, even though they had been on the schedule for tomorrow evening.
Ilwaco
I do like an all Ilwaco work day. We started at the Norwood garden, two doors down, planting two Hydrangea paniculata ‘Firelight’ to replace an old lilac and a pieris that had been removed.
Now we need one more Endless Summer hydrangea to balance out the front garden bed.
At the port, the smoky haze drifted along the hills of Cape Disappointment. Like yesterday, it felt like one could not get a good breath of air.
Although it looks like a cool foggy day, the sweltering heat continued, near or at 80 F. (Some Peninsula sources reported 90 F.)
I got permission from Butch (CoHo Charters) to ask the port to remove the big boxy escallonia that is sort of a sightline blocker unless we constantly clip it—which I am tired of doing.
The low, meadowy look that I like works best at the port because so many driveways go in and out past the curbside gardens.
Someone drove over the little bed by the Don Nisbett Gallery, something I haven’t seen evidence of before.
That may have something to do with all the trucks that are coming and going while the Port Office building has been under repair. It has its new windows and is getting painted.
The fragrance of lavender was strong in the heat.
I had been so confident in the new Eryngium giganteums having settled in that we did not water them at the end of last week. All of them looked great, except for one at Time Enough Books. I hope it revives after I cut off all the crispy leaves.
Why is the Time Enough Books garden the hardest of all to make look nice, when it is the one I have lavished the most attention on for years? Even the toughest plants struggle. I thought I was supposed to not give tough plants a soft life, but I am going to mulch this again in the fall.
We went home to change to cool, fresh clothes. Frosty wished we would stay….
…but we were off for an early dinner party at…
Tony and Scott’s beach house.
Their home is part of a block of twelve one story duplexes. Each has a daylight courtyard entryway. You can see, to the right, that Tony and Scott have nice gardening neighbours.
After greeting the dogs, and Tony and Scott, and mutual friends Judy and Larry, we went right through the townhouse to see the garden. It was created by Mary Ann, who sold the place to her good neighbours Tony and Scott, who used to live in the duplex to the northwest.
The living room door and a kitchen door open onto the long deck. Only a google view can explain it:
The shed to the right is on the neighbours’ property. The garden faces onto a beach grass area that affords a soothing backdrop. The corner of the townhouse makes the garden feel like two interestingly shaped triangles and gives a completely different view of the garden from living room and kitchen doors.
The only weed I saw was a big creeping buttercup.
And then there is this, on the north side of the house, with light from the west! (The house viewed over the fence to the right is where Scott and Tony used to live.)
I did not think to take a photo of how the big living room doorway opens onto the garden!
I love the floor plan of both this home and the one next door where Tony and Scott used to live; the main bedroom and second bedroom are separated by a hallway and laundry room nook, provided so much privacy.
After a scrumptious feast of assorted tempura-like vegetables, potato salad, deviled eggs, and more, we had a homemade fruit cobbler for dessert.
MaryAnn, you created such a perfect garden for this place. I know you must miss it. You couldn’t have found anyone who will love this home and garden more than Scott and Tony.
What a nice yard layout and great access points to the garden. Although I think you have to actually see it to get the full scope. The garden and the house feel like a home.
Thanks to Scott and Tony for letting us have a peek! You have the neatest of friends.
LikeLike
I do feel lucky to have gotten to know them all.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Your bouquet is gorgeous! Thank you for the tour of Tony and Scott’s charming beach house. I love the views out the windows to the garden. The fruit cobbler looks delicious. Rudy and Bailey are adorable! Jeff’s tiny Missy is cute, too.
LikeLike
I know such nice people and good dogs. Very fortunate.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Lovely tour! I feel as if I had been there enjoying the evening. Although next time, I wish I could actually be there. Would love some of that cobbler, for one thing.
LikeLike
I should have commented before on how great your bouquets look. That was another fine one today.
LikeLike
Thanks very much!
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike