Danger Garden: Fear Not!
Loree’s Danger Garden was another outstanding spot we got to see during the Garden Bloggers Fling in Portland last July.
The name comes from Loree’s attraction to pointy, spiny plants. Danger Garden is planted in a style vastly different from my own, and yet I could see its creativity, elegance, and visual power.
A number of plants are not afraid to stand out from the crowd, and they bring excitement to the overall garden.
Straight lines and geometric shapes provide a nice quiet frame for the mix of foliage textures.
The little bit of smooth green lawn also provides a nice contrast to the plantings.
There are lots of interesting container plantings. Some are in groups.
And others stand out on their own.
There’s a raised shade pavilion.
And a water feature in a stock tank.
Also in stock tanks against a sunny wall: vegetables. Stock tanks seem to be a big thing in Portland gardens.
Danger Garden isn’t really all that dangerous. The spiny plants did actually draw a little blood from one Flinger. However, one minor casualty out of roughly 100 visiting Flingers isn’t bad. So fear not. Danger Garden is very much worth seeing if you ever get the chance, and your odds of leaving unscathed are actually pretty good.
gardeninacity 
One of my faves, for sure! The colors, shapes and textures are always an inspiration for me – now if I could only find spiky things that grow in shade…
Hmm, I’m the wrong one to ask, but good luck with your search!
That’s not my type of garden, BUT I like the pavilion, stock tanks, water feature, and especially the red planter. 🙂
I LOVE the red planter, sadly it would be completely out of place in my garden.
Thanks for sharing this garden, Jason. I’ve seen the name, of course, but haven’t seen many posts. I really like the planting style.
There are more posts on Danger Garden here.
http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2014/07/fling-preview-danger-garden.html
You know I like this garden. I also like the fresh take on it you give here. It’s always interesting to see a garden through someone else’s eyes, especially when it’s one that’s familiar and well-loved by me.
Glad you liked it.
The Danger Garden is a star in these parts. Always nice to see it through the lens of another gardener.
I can see why it would be a star.
I like the gray bromeliad in the red hanger and also the clusters of containers.
Me too.
I must say it is nice seeing all these different gardens, this one is really quaint too! I love the airplant.xxx
It certainly is different.
“different” is the word my mom uses when she tastes something new and doesn’t like it but doesn’t want to say so…
Wish I could have seen this in person, though I’ve read many of her posts on it. Clever use of so much, and quite the view across the patio towards the sunny fence. You captured more plants in pots than I ever realized she had!
She has a lot of containers, and a very intriguing selection of container plants.
Oh what a great garden!!
I agree
You won’t see that in Toronto gardens I believe. I think it is a very architectural garden. The plants have great form and I like the relief of the grass area.
What does that mean, an architectural garden? I hear that phrase, and I have a vague (and possibly incorrect) sense of what it means, but I couldn’t put it into words.
It is about the form of the plants. They have angles, edges, severe (as in straight or very curved) form. It is often used for cactus/succulent etc. plants like shown.
Looking good, Jason! (The blog updates and the post and the garden.) I like the way they arranged the potted plants. The Tilandsias are fun: I have one inside that’s taking forever to grow. Probably not enough sun. They’re nifty plants, though. Great point about the geometric garden features framing the plants.
Thanks!
What an interesting garden. It makes a bold statement. As it’ s a Danger Garden does she have poisonous plants to? Or is just sharp and spiky?
I don’t recall anything about poisonous plants, though that would fit with the theme.
I had very similar thoughts about Danger’s garden as you did. The beauty in her lines and the charm and excellent sense of design that she has really impressed me. We do love our stock tanks here.
And you never see them in Midwest gardens. I wonder why.
I missed this back when you first posted it! Love your view of my garden and you’re right about the stock tanks in Portland, I wonder why? Oh and poisonous plants…yes! Lots. Thankfully Lila doesn’t nibble.
OK then. I’ll keep the Poison Hot LIne on speed dial until my next visit. By the way, I’m looking forward to seeing you in Toronto but disappointed so many West Coast folks won’t be attending.