Hey there Mary Delle! You know, when I KNOW that certain plants can be gotten, it KILLS me that people tell me I can’t have them! I will persist until I am shut down in all directions – that seems to be the way of things here … either that or give in and believe what my eyes and common sense tells me isn’t true. Keep on reading – another trip down south happens in a month, and more will be revealed!

Hi Shelley! Selva y Jardin has a website!
http://www.selvayjardin.com/
enjoy – Lucy is a character! Have a ton of fun enjoying her and her plants!

Oh, Tira – you are singing my song! I am very into using local plants, of course – but local / native plants include agaves, bamboos, and grasses that I am told are impossible to find! Thank goodness I am finding people who are willing to go a little further and not just look at the local Home Depot for my plants! I’m glad you like the roof – it’s pretty incredible!

Hi Jane – I’m with you … it would make their jobs SO much easier! But you would be amazed – the OWNERS of most of these nurseries don’t hortspeak. Weird! When I met the young guy, Christopher, at Jardin Jurassico, it was so obvious that he had a passion, and his knowledge came from him deciding to go above and beyond what was demanded of him. Most others who work at the viveros seem to think the common names are enough, and to be fair – most of the times, for most of their clients, they are. But then comes the obnoxious lady plant freak from El Norte, demanding that everyone speak botanical latin! Hahaha!

Loree, there was a moment when I felt myself on the verge of a freakout, but I pulled back, regained my composure, and then had a tequila shot. And I was rewarded by meeting the wonderful Christopher, King of Botanical Latin Merida-Style!
Just WAIT until you se the REST of the architecture!!! XO!

McM! You have been SUCH a total help! Seeing Lucy was awesome – and knowing that I could have the bamboos I KNEW must be available was a wonder! I am SO THRILLED about the B. vulgaris vittata, and it is so great to know that it grows well for you! HOORAY! And right on for using bamboo leaves for mulch on pathways – you are doing it all, my friend!

Hi Michelle D.! HAHAHA! Of COURSE I use availability lists (I am not fond of working hard and then finding out I can’t get half of the plants I want!) – but get this … there ARE no availability lists! The first thing I ask for wherever I go is their lists, and I inevitably get a blank stare. Then I get interrogated as to why I want it, and they can’t seem to understand why I’d need it just to put some plants in a garden. They just don’t work that way down there – they all say to give them a list of what I need, and they’ll find it. EVERY SINGLE PLACE I GO. The wonderful Christopher is the first to offer me a list – but he is WRITING IT UP HIMSELF, because no list exists, not even for inventory purposes.
It is a different world down there my friend! I know – if we up here would design w/o our availability lists, we’d be foolhardy! There – well … that is kind of how you have to roll! And so thus I roll, getting things done with a little flirting and a little bullying and alot of ‘letting it go’! Cross your fingers for me!

Tendril! She of the BEST CALIFORNIA BLOG! Take note everyone – we have ALWAYS loved her!!!
Okay, you have to come down to the Yucatan with me, after the garden has had a little time to grow in, and I would be SO HONORED if you’d write a post about it for your blog! You, of all people, are going to D-I-E DIE!
And yes, I melted. Like the ice in Grow/Melt! But I reconstituted to fight again another day! XOXO!

Sweetest Rebecca! I miss out twittering! Have to get back into the swing …
Your words help so much! You KNOW how you have to fight hard sometimes to get the exact right thing … I’ll be strong, even though it can be a bit difficult – but it is SO WORTH IT! This is a project like no other, and I love sharing it with you!

It has been way too long my botanically crazy, gothically heat-challenged friend.

First I have to say that your featured Bambusa vulgaris vitatta made me drool like Homer Simpson…what a painted stunner, and such a great picture, a living piece of fine art! I want some, no, make that lots, and I want it now! It looks like the giant timber version (in diameter) of Bambusa multiplex
‘Alphonse Karr’… so stunning!

The roof lawn is going to look great, odd, but great. I can totally visualize the end result. What an interesting structure, it reminds me of the angular and faceted face from the mechanical-looking butler/android in Red Dwarf…what was his name? Oh yes, Kryten.

I always love to read about the progression of your project in the Yucatan, the Obstacles and barriers come with the territory, I am sure with your extensive knowledge of all things green, your accute aesthetic eye and sense of style, you will prevail to form a truly magical scheme.

I look forward to more posts as you progress.

Back in the land of technology,
ESP.

Before I ever put pencil to paper when doing a planting plan I request the current plant availability lists from the various nurseries that I plan to do business with. If they don’t have a current availability list then I go to the nursery and make my own.
This saves a lot of frustration.

I don’t think I have done a planting plan in the last 10 years without getting an availability list. Some of the nurseries even list quantities, which can be very helpful.

Good luck on your project. The hardscaped roof looks fabulously sculptural !

It does seem odd that most nursery people don’t use botanical Latin there: you’d think it would actually make things easier for them, too.