A Passion for Life .. Deborah Szekely

Deborah Szekely

"You have to have a passion to live long,"

... Rancho La Puerta owner/director Deborah Szekely (88 years young),

speaking to our gathering of invited bloggers.

First in a series of features on the Rancho's landscape, kitchen gardens & cooking school,

as RLP enters its 70th year of commitment to healthy living, protection of the environment, 

 & under the auspices of Fundacion La Puerta,

giving back to the area's school children and the community of Tecate, Mexico.

The landscape and guesthouses nestle in the foothills of Mount Kuchumaa.

Majestic evergreen live oaks offer shade and shelter throughout the gardens, 

while succulents, countless native & Mediterranean species, and drought-tolerant

 plants such as Grevilleas create inviting wildlife habitats.

Bird song enlivens every pathway & patio during daylight hours.

On a bird walk I encountered year-round residents - many breed at the Rancho:

 Phainopepla, California quail, Anna's hummingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, 

California thrasher (what a sight!), various finches and sparrows.

Winter visitors include Cedar waxwing & Hermit thrush.

Can anyone identify the bird pictured above in Aloe arborescens?

The jogging track encircles a field of grapevines.

Each dormant grapevine spoke to me: 

Their aged, contorted forms demonstrating a unique sculptural bearing

...or anthropomorphic quality.

Aloe lutescens

Link to: Radiant Respite .. Rancho La Puerta

Ninfa .. Flora and Fauna of a Protected Landscape

Ninfa ... Conservation of a Protected Landscape

Safe harbor for 132 species of birds, pure lake waters,

and a Pontine marshland habitat.

Ninfa's 100,000-hectare property is accorded utmost respect by the governing Roffredo Caetani Foundation & curator, Lauro Marchetti. With the dawn of the 21st century, to care for the land is a primary consideration: Ninfa's historic landscape of treasured flora and fauna is in many ways unique. Thankfully, I had planned well in advance to visit Ninfa, and it was my good fortune to meet Dirrettore Marchetti and his charming wife, Stella.

The rain began, then stopped, then fell lightly once again as I strolled through the organically maintained gardens with Signora Marchetti.

Located 20 km from the sea, Ninfa is situated at the base of the Lepini Mountains, and therefore protected from harsh winds. The gardens emerge as an idyllic natural setting. Yet, at the same time, the lush plantings are a resonant reminder of of the loving touch and prescient planning of the keen-sighted garden-makers of the past.

The restored castle tower overlooks magnificent architectural evergreen pines, playing off flowering cherries, aristocratic magnolias, and the contorted limbs of mature maples. The atmosphere felt blessed as we explored pathways, coming upon long vistas of gently meandering streams flanked by an alliance of roses and rhododendrons, self-sown mahonia, and the lavish foliage of gunnera.

Ninfa: Small Books of Great Gardens

Text by Lauro Marchetti and Esme Howard - Photos by Claire de Virieu

The eye alights upon a banana grove in a sun-drenched clearing:

A microclimate warmed by venerable stone walls and ruined towers.

An appointment called the Marchettis to Rome, but before they departed. I had the opportunity to talk with Lauro Marchetti about a project to extend the gardens, creating a spacious nature reserve for the abundant wildlife.

As I proceeded to walk alone, I found myself wishing that I were a resident nymph,

able to spend intimate hours on the splendid property...

cavorting with hedgehogs, or romping through the spring-fed bamboo forest.

Conservation of Ninfa's unique gardens and vast landscape is of great concern.

Photos and Text Copyright © Alice Joyce

Protected by Copyscape: Do Not Copy

Link to Part II: Enchanting Ninfa

Ninfa opens to the public on a limited basis, offering guided tours.

Enchanting Ninfa .. the Saga Continues

Ninfa - In a few words, an enchanted landscape.

A place where gardens rise up on the site of a once-prominent 8th-century town. Documentation traces Ninfa to the 1st century, when Pliny wrote of a temple constructed in homage to mythical nymphs: Nymphs known to dwell in Ninfa's pristine lake, the cold waters flowing from an alpine mountain source.

In 1297 Pope Bonifaciio VIII gifted Ninfa to a relative, Pietro Caetani. Yet, by the late 1300s,

warring factions overran the thriving Medieval town, leaving it in ruins.

Look to The English Garden Abroad, should you wish to learn more about the making of Ninfa's gardens.

In the well-researched book, Charles Quest-Ritson follows the shaping of the present-day gardens by the creators: Three generations of the Caetani family responsible for the landscape one sees today. In particular, three ladies of English and American ancestry - laudable, artistic figures who contributed to the gardenscape. A breathtaking naturalism envelops the visitor to Ninfa. At every turn, the eye rests upon lush greenery,

or plentiful vistas of fresh water.

The wistful romanticism of ancient stone walls is not easily captured in words;

the stone surfaces a honey-hued canvas for fading frescoes.

Introducing: Ninfa and Sermoneta

Part 3 to follow ....

Radiant Respite .. Rancho La Puerta

Improbable but true to its 70-year history, the destination spa/retreat,

Rancho La Puerta evolved from an unembellished adobe hut.

One day I plan to visit!

To chill.. to tune out.. to leave my computer in quiet mode - a well-deserved  respite for me & my machine.

Rancho La Puerta engaged in organic gardening methods before the practice was popular. 

The nearby 6-acre organic farm, Rancho Tres Estrellas provides the fresh produce served to guests,

in beautifully presented repasts to entice all the senses.

Sustainability and conservation are high on the list of the Rancho's guiding principles, 

as they were in the beginning: In the 1940s, 

when founders Edmond and Deborah Szekely brought their vision for a 'health camp' to Baja California.

La Cocina - Photos courtesy, Rancho La Puerta

For now, I'm dreaming. 

Imagining the clear, brisk air surrounding Mount Kuchumaa, the peak spanning the Tecate border,

connecting the U.S. to Mexico while overlooking the 3,000-acre valley setting of Rancho La Puerta.

The Rancho - basking in the mountain's splendor.

A recent video narrated by Deborah Szekely chronicles Rancho La Puerta's development over 7 decades. 

A place where Aldous Huxley and like-minded notables were drawn to the writings and philosophy 

of the late Edmond Szekely. 

Look for the Video icon when clicking on the link below, to hear Deborah reveal the remarkable history of:

Rancho La Puerta

Garden Idyll in Italy .. Sermoneta Overlooking Ninfa

Highlights from my garden idyll in Italy appeared on Bay Area Tendrils in 2009 

Villa Lante

Hadrian's Villa

and the Sacred Wood of Bomarzo

however ... to write about Ninfa is another story.

With a history spanning the first century and extending to a uniquely vibrant landscape of the present day,

the magical setting of Ninfa exacts a thoughtfully rendered chronicle.

And so, I shall be offering glimpses of the setting and its rich history.

Hotel Principe Serrone - Sermoneta, Italy 

Protected by Copyscape: © Alice Joyce

Sermoneta 

A delightfully out-of-the-way Medieval hill town: the nearest train station is in the city of Latina,

capital of the province of Lazio; some 40 miles south of Roma. 

Gazing out from my window at Hotel Principe Serrone, 

I could see Ninfa's ancient towers in the valley beyond.

Link to:

Part II - Enchanting Ninfa

Samuel Taylor State Park, Marin County

Indian paintbrush / Castilleja affinis

One of the wildflowers found growing in Samuel Taylor State Park.

Taylor State Park - located 15 miles west of San Rafael off Highway 101 -

Central San Rafael exit, not far from San Francisco.

Taylor State Park became lost in the glow of 

yesterday's anniversary post.

Approach the park along Sir Francis Drake, driving through groves of towering redwoods

that embrace sections of the roadway.

Listed on the California State Parks website, the park encompasses hiking, biking & nature trails, places to picnic, and campsites.

Celebrating! Garden Tendrils Reaching Out from the Bay Area

In Celebration: 1 Year since I began sending out these tendrils...

 - short features and photos - reaching out into cyberspace to connect with readers worldwide. 

What an incredible journey! 

One that has given rise to countless friendships and connections in the virtual world, 

and under fortunate circumstances... every so often, in real life.

((In truth, I've just checked the date of my first 'Insomnia' post.

Apparently life has been so hectic - with much on my plate, so to speak,

that yesterday, in fact, heralded the Blogiversary of Bay Area Tendrils.

... aka Bay Area Tendrils Garden Travel ))

Thank you, T., for appreciating my passion for the art of the garden,

and for accompanying me on too-many-to-count short trips and lengthy sojourns.

Your love of birding and nature enhances my days. 

Winter Color! San Francisco Botanical Garden Succulents

"San Francisco's mild temperatures and rare winter frost make it possible to grow a great diversity of plants..." 

Succulents in the Entry Border

After more than a decade of living in the Bay Area, the wintertime displays 

of vividly colorful succulent plants still hold me spellbound.

  Visitors to the San Francisco Botanical Garden will find the fan aloe among the

Entry Garden's eye-catching succulent specimens. 

Aloe plicatilis - Photo: Joanne Taylor

 At the Garden ... the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society's Newsletter:

"Gracing the hills and mountains of Cape Province in South Africa, Aloe plicatilis, or "Fan Aloe," adds drama to our Garden with its fan-like arrangement of fleshy leaves tipped in orange. The species name, "plicatilis," means fan-like, pleated or folding together. 

The fans of leaves display in two opposing rows with a spike of scarlet tubular flowers rising from the center 

on a tall solitary stem. 

Look for Aloe plicatilis in the South Africa Garden and in this month's In Bloom feature, 

complete with photos, a plant profile and exact locations."

21st Century Gardens .. at the Marin Art and Garden Center

21st Century Gardens: Movements, Trends, Projects 

A Presentation on Landscape as Art.

This Thursday I'll be presenting a talk to the Garden Society of Marin.

My musings on landscape at art will braid together gardens designed by Ossart & Maurieres,

land artist Alain Idoux, 

and tree sculptor - work pictured above - Marc Nucera: the subject of a recent book.

My talk takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Marin Art & Garden Center 

Arrive early and you can stroll through the lovely gardens on this historic property.

Photo: San Francisco Chronicle - for my Garden Walks Column.

To read more about the MAAGC gardens in Ross, California,

link below to one of my San Francisco Chronicle  

'Garden Walks' columns.

Another contemporary Paris parkland that has been featured on 

Alice's Garden Travel Buzz ~ click on link below:

Parc André Citröen

gives rise to compelling design elements that are highlighted in the presentation,

along with major private gardens in Provence created in the new millennium. 

Reflecting ... on 2009

Reflecting on a New Year   

A look back at features appearing in 2009,

aka Year One on Bay Area Tendrils. . . and a preview.

Huntington Chinese Garden

San Marino, California - Photo: Huntington Botanical Garden

Hadrian's Villa - Villa Adriana

Laberint d'Horta Pavilion 

Barcelona

Eliasson Installation .. Bard College

photo: Bess Reynolds

Sooke Harbour House ... Autumn

Vancouver Island

Blue Blooms ... a Bevy of Garden Destinations 

Clamor .. Murmur .. Plash! A Potpourri of Fountains

Words and photos (unless otherwise noted) by Alice Joyce, Bay Area Tendrils Garden Travel

The theft of content and photos on the Internet is widespread.

For now, I'll be taking steps to insert links back to my site.