GardenBook

 Though the garden has been a companion for years , little thought has been given to it's internal architecure until I began to photograph, and in turn study the photographs of my own garden and those of others both public and private. This collection of pictures tells me what pleases me in shapes, design, and patterns of the plants themselves. It is easy to look outside now and see missteps -wrong size, wrong place. As a collector of plants, my garden will never reflect the perfect design, there will always be something that doesn't quite fit or needs to be moved, (multiple times I fear)or something that spoils the vignette. Still the plant will often stay earning it's keep on sheer likability. I cheerfully lack the discipline to create the types of scenes shown below. Photos are from the Ruth Bancroft Garden, the Knot Garden at Filoli, the Heather garden at  Mendocino Botanical Gardens, and the Lavender fields at Matanzas Creek Winery.

Was it the late 80's when it became acceptable for men to wear pink ? Pink shirts, pink ties, maybe even pink pants if the guy was  a golfer. I have both invited  and banished it in the garden over the years - at the moment it's tucked in everywhere- the only thing that seems to clash with pink is the wrong pink. I prefer clear baby pink, silvery pink, hot pink - but no coral-ish tones please ; I can't count the roses that have gotten eviction notices for being too warm, too salmon. Thought I admire these tones in OPG's , I rarely tolerate them in mine.

 The garden elitist within has broken free . The accumulated visits to gardens that are creative , beautifully designed, sometimes downright astonishing, jades the view of these very pretty but somewhat mundane venues. 10 years ago these may have thrilled, and sent me home with a laundry list of ideas to try in  my own modest garden, but instead it was a pleasant day in a scenic and well-heeled enclave of Northern California where the only 'wow' moments were the views from 2 of the gardens, and the lovely Victorian home that anchored another. A bit of whimsy in a garden with an enviable location on Belvedere Lagoon. I'm a sucker for Papyrus. Wow vistas. A lovely clump of foxgloves and Delphs, though obviously planted from 1 gallon nursery containers very recently.That Berberis looks hot off the presses too. Did I say elitist ? Maybe snarky is a better term. Here was a favorite , a  charming little greenhouse packed with interest ..perhaps a real garde...

Behold the trusty broom, the latest in a long line of similar models . Inexpensive, uses little storage space, requires no petroleum products and is easy to start. This may be one of few in the neighborhood, as the preference seems to be the power blower . No argument here with the professional mower-blower dude, whose revenue stream depends on multiple jobs a day , and for whom the leisurely pace of manual sweeping is impractical.  Some homeowners though prefer the do-it-yourself approach , wielding several pieces of gasoline power equipment to tame their postage stamp sized lawns and yards . I watched dumbfounded from my front porch bench as  two small Loropetalums were subdued into even smaller  cubes with a very loud gas hedger. This took a remarkably long time,particularly for a result that was not remotely attractive.  I have no doubt that I could have done the same thing in  about 5 minutes with my Corona hedge shears. At least the perpetrator was wearin...

Got succulents, grasses, and a voluminous collection of Oreganos, but I reserve a section of the garden for the old-timey stuff that opens a tiny door into the world of the classic English border. Can't help it. The Delphiniums are one thing, but Campanula 'Cups and Saucers' , grown this year after a15 year hiatus , are unfolding with their blowsy charm- I just go out and stare. A mixed 6 pack was purchased last summer, and maybe there will be some pink in the yet unopened plants. Pink will seal my fate- two more six packs purchased poste haste for next years display. So non-sustainable. But better than lawn, right ?

 The drive to the frost free  but still climatically challenged North Coast is stomach -lurching for some , but  this 3 hour interlude  always lifts my spirits and leaves my digestive system intact.   Once the Interstate is left behind the traffic is sparse and the natural beauty can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Spring was in full throttle in zone 17;  Ceonothus,Poppies, Phlomis, and fresh new growth on conifers of all kinds. There was no intent to visit the Botanical Garden as it was visited in October and will be visited again in June, but the car turned in none the less seduced by the banner reading "Rhododendrons Blooming Today" prominently displayed along the highway. Hard to find nominees for 'Best Performance by a Parking Lot' but this one is the winner, and the above photo is a very minute sample. Geranium maderense was in majestic full bloom, waist high and unfazed by it's full sun position . The bronze stems and the large palmate leaves...

Is there anything better than the first flush of roses ? They will never look better, bloom more, have cleaner foliage, or more petals. All rose foibles are forgiven.