I'm Still Here...............

Yes, I'm still here, just not much blogging going on, but I have been reading everyone else's. So don't think I not paying attention, I'm watching and reading all about you that I follow. Everyone seems to be having a great Summer, I mean really could this weather be any better, I don't think so! I was looking thru past posts and saw that I have never posted any pictures of areas around Beech Street Gardens, it has always been flower portraits. So Friday morning I got up early and took a few. Enjoy!!!!

 Front Walk

 

 Backyard East

 

 Patio

 

 Patio Looking North

 

Backyard Looking West

 

Do not look at the browning grass, if I had my way there would not be any to turn brown.....

 

Bloom Day at Beech Street

It has been a while since I have posted anything so why not make it a Bloom Day. It is even the first one for Beech Street Gardens, by the time I realize that Bloom Day is here I have nothing prepared..........The gardens are really coming to life, but actually there have been plants blooming here for the last couple of months.
I was able to get out and do some work and take photos in the gardens on Wednesday which was a great treat. The day was dry and warm, down right awesome! Had to take off my jacket and sweatshirt, got a little toasty. Had the pleasure of doing lots of clipping, pruning, and raking, it was a feel good moment, "I don't think a lot of people would call it a feel good moment." Anytime to get outside to me is a feel good moment..........Best flowers in the gardens right now all are the Hellebores, they are my favorite this time of year.

IT'S SPRING IN PORTLAND!

Beech Street Gardens or Death Valley Shack?

Kind of a toss up on where I wanted to post this entry. I just received this 1939 vintage seed packet from another collector of paper items. Its so great to chat with others, you just never now what you might end up with. To bad there were no seeds, I would have given it a try.

This packet is from Germain Seed and Plant Co. in Los Angeles, California.

Germain Seed and Plant Company 

Click on the company name above and you will be taken to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden to see more vintage items from this nursery and other nurseries in that area.

Lambert Garden Postcard Additions

While at the recent Antique Paper and Postcard show I also purchased four new postcards of Lambert Gardens that I did not have in the collection. Actually I came across four or five others that I need to complete the set, but there is no hurry. 

REGAL ROSE ARBOR, 

COURT OF ROSE FESTIVAL QUEEN

SPANISH POOL

SPRING TIME

The large tree in this postcard as well as on other 

postcards from Lambert Gardens is called "The Ghost Tree". 

I believe it to be a variety of Magnolia.

COURT OF THE ROSE FESTIVAL QUEEN

Side note: the postcards in the collection are linen cards, where as current postcards are classified as chrome cards. 

Click here for information about the kinds of postcards thru the years.

1936 Vintage Bulb Catalog

Among particular plants, gardening books and cactus, I also like to collect vintage paper items like postcards, ad slicks, and catalogs. This is a 1936 Sunset Nursery Co. bulb catalog that I picked up at a recent Antique Paper and Postcard show last weekend. The prices are amazing, only if we could buy them at those prices now...........click on the name to find out more history and what Sunset Nursery is doing now. 

 

Hyacinths $2.00 for a dozen or $15.00 for 100.

Tulips $.75 a dozen or $5.00 per 100

More Tulips and Species Tulips listed

Daffodils same price as Tulips

Anemones, Callas, Crocus........

Iris, Ranunculus, Scilla and more varieties

Ixia which I have planted now, 

but it is a very difficult bulb to find. 

I love the little group I have and would love to add more.

Snowflakes, Sparaxis,........

And a chart for how many bulbs 

you will need to make a grand garden bed

How about fertilizers, meals, and manures?

             This back cover page offers the best motto for a nursery, 
                 wish I was using it for my statement on the blog.
                     "IT'S NOT A HOME UNTIL ITS PLANTED"

Its A Raised Bed Wrap-up

I know I've been dragging my feet......to tell you the truth I have been busy with other things. Gasp......I have other things to do how dare I. 

This first bed belongs to Pat with her killer Banana trees, two major trees and three smaller ones.

Ginkgo trees that are in containers, they are placed at the end of the bed.

Sempervivums and Ferns

Not a clue! A herb I would guess.

Close-up of Banana tree stocks, 

I was there the other day and Pat has cut them down already.

Small water bowl with Water Hyacinths and Water Lettuce

The awesome Banana Trees

Pat also has two Bonsais, one is a Maple and the other is a Pine.

The next raised bed is actually a rolling cart that was built, 

it belongs to Marilyn.

Impatiens and purple Bacopa 

Autumn Joy Sedum

Fuchsias and Sedum

Fuchsias

Purple Heart Wandering Jew

The other rolling cart belongs to Jackie......bright red Tomato

Yellow Dahlias

Dahlia close-up

The Stone Toad, I think its very charming.

A few green tomatoes

And a bean or two

Thats all the raised beds, but I still need to get back and see what the Mums are up to, 

if they have bloomed yet and what color they are. Stay tuned!!!!