GardenBook

 The Ruth Bancroft Garden is extremely photogenic and those who arrange events there have been providing  the opportunity  over the last few years for photographers to access the garden early in the morning when the light optimum for photography. I've attended several photo classes that feature pre-opening entry into the garden allowing the photographer to take advantage of the light that is to be had before 10am. Last Saturday the photo session welcomed us in at 7:30am , with no structured class or instructor. We were able to wander the garden at will a full 2 and a half hours before it opened to the public, and because it is January plenty of drama was provided by blooming Aloes.  In full disclosure, I am not particularly competent in Aloe naming, though I am on a crusade to improve this in 2018. I think because so many are not hardy or very marginal in my garden I haven't taken the time to learn more about them. Because I took very modest precautions with winter...

 In October I took a few days off and traveled out to Mendocino. This is a place I find to be very restorative and full of horticultural interest; the latter being a contributing factor to the former. Because it's been a particularly crappy year at the office, the anticipation of this trip kept my spirits from descending into an abyss of gloom. I think all of us who garden are seekers of tranquility, and being in a garden--especially one where you really can't work--is deeply satisfying. As is my usual procedure I drove directly from home to Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, an intensely scenic 3 hour drive. Since this trip took place at the tail end of the Tubbs fire, escaping the  smoke that was still hovering over our valleys was an extra bonus. The euphoria that always accompanies my drive to the coast was dampened somewhat by the burn areas I traveled though; many familiar and loved   scenes were gone, replaced with charred ground and blackened trees. Neverthel...