A couple of weeks ago, fellow plant nerd Kyle and I visited our friend Justin in the East Bay. Needless to say I took a few photos of Justin’s garden. I mean, how could I not? He has an amazing selection of succulents, many of them growing in miniature rock landscapes he created himself.
Click here to see my other posts about Justin’s garden.
Above and below are prime examples of Justin’s rockscapes. The plants are tucked into small pockets between the rocks, which results in superb drainage. And it looks great, too.
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| Agave utahensis var. eborispina |
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| Above and below: cross between Mangave ‘Bloodspot’ and Agave titanota, created by Nick Deinhart. These two plants are from the same seed batch, but they look very different. This often happens with hybrids. |
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| Mangave ‘Bloodspot’ × Agave titanota |
Justin’s front yard is home to some exceptional agaves:
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| Agave montana. Agaves don’t get better than this! |
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| Agave montana |
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| Agave montana |
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| Agave horrida |
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Agave applanata, the standard form (the variegated cultivar ‘Cream Spike’ is far more common)
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| Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie’. Quite possibly the most perfect specimen I’ve ever seen. |
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| Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie’ |
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| Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie’ |
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| Agave ovatifolia ‘Vanzie’. Seriously, this is one good-looking specimen! |
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| Even the spiders in Justin’s garden are beautiful. |
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| Ferocactus rectispinus with its last flower of the year |
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| Ferocactus rectispinus |
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| Variegated Ferocactus |
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| Ferocactus latispinus, easily recognized by its wide central spines and the deep purple flowers |
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| Outrageously colorful specimen of Aloe vanbalenii in the backyard. Who needs flowers when you have leaves this outstanding! |
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Of one of a handful of wooden planter boxes Justin built in the backyard. They’re home to a large variety of cacti, aloes, mesembs, and other succulents.
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| Another Agave utahensis var. eborispina |
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| Notocactus roseoluteus |
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| Euphorbia sp. and Agave peglerae |
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| Agave albopilosa |
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| Aloe 'Pink Blush'× polyphylla and a clump of perfect Sempervivum |
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| Nice clump of Stomatium, a night-blooming mesemb (aka “ice plant”) from South Africa |
Justin has a new greenhouse where he keeps his seedlings as well as a small selection of potted succulents:
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| Southern African landscape in a bowl: Aloe erinacea and Lithops |
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| Agave utahensis var. eborispina grown from seed Justin and I collected on our trip to Nevada last year |
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| Agave utahensis var. nevadensis seedlings, also from habitat seed |
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Cross between Mangave ‘Silver Fox’ and Agave parrasana, from plants that flowered in Justin’s front yard last year. All the plants you see above are from the same seed batch. The variability is astounding.
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| To me, this baby combines the best of both parents |
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| Stenocactus and Echinocereus seedlings |
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| Leuchtenbergia principis seedlings, unmistakable even at this size |
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| Opuntia aurea seedlings with exceptionally long hypocotyls |
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| The hypocotyl is the stem between the cotyledons (the two embryonic leaves on either side of the cactus body) and the roots |
Also, this happened while we were at Justin’s:
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| Annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023 |
© Gerhard Bock, 2023. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.
Amazed at how big those agave seedlings have grown in just over a year! (I'm assuming that the seedlings are in 2 1/2 inch pots.)
ReplyDeleteI wonder about how the cactus between rocks would fare in a different (rainy) climate. It seems the rain falling on the rocks would splash onto the cactus, and then drain between the rocks (as opposed to flowing downhill when the soil is mounded.
Yes, the seedlings are in 2 1/2 pots. Watered and fertilized well, they can grow quickly.
DeleteI don't know about the cacti between the rocks. But they fared well in last year's super wet winter.
One beautiful specimen after another! I'm awed by their perfection. And I'm now asking myself why I don't have an Agave montana, among other things.
ReplyDeleteYou MUST get a montana - or several. One of the best agaves, period.
DeleteAlways fascinating to see what Justin is up to. And crosses with the spiral aloe too! (Who knew anyone got Aloe polyphylla to bloom...)
ReplyDeleteOur friend John in Richmond had a large polyphylla that bloomed every year. That's where the pollen came from. Unfortunately, his polyphylla died - like they're all wont to do :-)
DeleteThe teeth/leaf imprint on Agave montana is gorgeous. I feel like I've read an actual name for that -bud imprint doesn't seem right?
ReplyDeleteBud imprint is what I've always called it. But there probably is a more technical botanical term.
DeleteYour photo of Ferocactus latispinus is mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteChavli
I need to get myself a Ferocactus latispinus!
DeleteSome mighty fine looking agaves there!
ReplyDeleteFor sure!
DeleteWow, loved all these. Some are so rare in our country. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this post.
DeleteI'm so jealous is all I can say. Thanks for the wonderful tour, Gerhard!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteIt must take hours to go through Justin's garden to see, discuss, sigh over all the beautiful specimens. I need an A. montana, for sure. The Ferocatcus latispinus flowers--sensational colors. Beautiful 'Vanzie'--that selection rivals 'Blue Glow' for perfection, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteExactly! That's what makes a visit with Justin so special--always something new to see and discuss.
DeleteAs for 'Vanzie', I couldn't agree more. I have one in the backyard, tucked away in a far corner. It would look so good in the front yard, but I already have a "plain" ovatifolia there. I do think 'Vanzie' is the most beautiful ovatifolia cultivar.