Ravishing Raymond Evison Variety: Clematis Josephine

Under Construction

Yet another Gold awarded to Raymond Evison Clematis  in 2011 -- Chelsea Flower Show.

That's Gold every year since 2003.  Sublime Clematis 'Josephine' represented but one outstanding variety among many.

Evison display in bounteous bloom.

An urn formed the centerpiece of the design,

While a tunnel Allée of draped and flowing vines invited you to walk through the exhibit.

Exotic Gardens for California: A Garden Conservancy Seminar

Alhambra - Generalife Gardens: Painting by Ludwig Hans Fisher 1885

Photos: The Garden Conservancy

The Garden Conservancy and Ruth Bancroft Garden will present a fascinating seminar, looking at Moorish, Mughal, and Mediterranean Influence on California Gardens.

Royal Mosque Tile from Isfahan, Safavid period, from Patrick Hunt's Presentation

The seminar: Gift of Persia

will take place on July 15 at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek. To read more about the exceptional agenda and speakers for the day-long event, see the June 19th feature on...

Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

Courtyard Garden in Rajasthan

You can register online

or phone The Garden Conservancy office in San Francisco at 415.441.4300.

The event moves to the Ruth Bancroft Garden for a wine reception, where participants can hear the garden's curator Brian Kemble share his horticultural expertise!

Contemporary and Naturalistic... Open Days Visit: The Garden Conservancy

The Garden Conservancy Open Days: Marin County

On a most unusual, rainy June day I visited a landscape designed by Studio Green: A 'Bay Friendly Certified Garden' designed with an awareness for water conservation, wildlife habitat, and the nurturing of healthy soil.

I found it enlightening to hear landscape architect John Merten talk about his approach to the project, and how he implemented the landscape design with a no-mow meadow, and native plantings that include Coyote Brush and Berkeley Sedge, California Fescue & Gray Rush (Baccharis pilularis, Carex tumulicola, Festuca californica & Juncus patens).

Had the process not been explained to me, of how the terrain of the creek bank was stabilized and reconfigured, I would have assumed the expansive site was natural and untouched.

Majestic oak trees overlook the stunning contemporary architecture of the home's horizontal design. While on the Open Day, a natural stream gurgled and sputtered as visitors climbed along a path up the hilly terrain to a bocce court and picnic area with a beautiful view over the property. The contouring of the land added the element of rainwater runoff management.

The property's sinuous concrete and dirt trail appears natural, as well, blending into the land in an unobtrusive way.

Visit The Garden Conservancy web site to learn more about the Open Days Program

and the Open Days Directory: 2011 Guide to America's Gardens

Sculpture! Chelsea Flower Show 2011

Chelsea Flower Show 2011: A look at selected sculptural works on view at this year's show.

Above: Laura Antebi - Wire Sculptures

Tom Hare installation: 'The Power of Plants' on exhibit in The Great Pavilion.

Physalis alkekengi: the Japanese Lantern or Cape Gooseberry is said to have use as a sore throat remedy; also to treat eczema, among the plant's medicinal properties.

I particularly liked this eye-intriguing work by Tom Hare - aka Willowman, combining willow elements woven onto a steel framework. At the base, a naturalistic planting, along with woven willow honeybees.

Photos © Alice Joyce

RNIB Garden - Royal National Institute of Blind People:

A silvery gilded figurative work, although not readily apparent, revealed itself to be a 'living' sculpture when slight movements could be detected.

Exuberant oversize blooms...

A discretely minimal form emerged as a central fountain in the M&G Garden designed by Bunny Guinness.

Photos © Alice Joyce

One side note: Strolling on the streets of London near the Victoria Embankment Gardens, a noteworthy architectural element loomed large.

On offer at Chelsea, works in most every style and material.

Tom Stogdon Sculpture

Photos © Alice Joyce

Sculpture figured prominently in all the major show gardens.

For more on design and horticulture at Chelsea, visit my website:  Alice's Garden Travel Buzz and click on 'Chelsea Flower Show' in the Topics.

100,000 Flowers Thailand Exhibit: Chelsea Flower Show

The petals of more than 100,000 flowers were used to compose the elements of a dramatic exhibit mounted by...

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanic Garden

Brilliant! Winner of Gold at ...

The Chelsea Flower Show!

the captivating design brought together cultural elements in the manner of Thai flower arranging.

A stunning sight to behold.

Overview of the lavishly colorful, vibrant exhibit.

'The Temple of the Dawn'

Thai Shadow Puppets - Fantastic Thailand Exhibit (Photos © Alice Joyce)

More horticultural displays -- Raymond Evison's Clematis 

And...

David Austin Roses  

in The Great Pavilion at Chelsea 2011

Look for more Show Gardens, Art and Design Trends to appear in the days ahead.

There is nothing quite like the Chelsea Flower Show!

David Austin Roses New Introductions: Chelsea Flower Show

David Austin Rose Gardens

Albrighton, Wolverhampton,

England.

'Wollerton Old Hall'

A new rose named for a beautifully designed & planted Arts & Crafts-style English garden, a favorite of mine.

Do visit should you be traveling round Shropshire.

These brilliant new rose varieties were introduced by David Austin Roses at the Chelsea Flower Show 2011.

I'll admit to being more than partial to Austin's 'English Roses' .. with their lovely flower forms and heady fragrances.

'William and Catherine'

Photos: David Austin Roses

'Queen Anne'

'Fighting Temeraire'

Look for an upcoming post on the David Austin Roses' display in the Pavilion at Chelsea!

Fantastical Irish Sky Garden: Chelsea 2011

Largest ever show garden: Fantastical realm created by Diarmuid Gavin for Chelsea 2011

Irish Sky Garden

Read more on... Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

Brilliant! Best Show Garden - Chelsea 2011

RHS Chelsea Flower Show: A Gold for designer Cleve West and Best Show Garden award!

San Francisco to London: The Chelsea Flower Show

Alluring, perfectly grown Alliums & Eremurus

(I believe the display pictured to be Devine Nurseries of East Yorkshire)

It's official: I've been quoted by The Bad Tempered Gardener herself: Anne Wareham

stating, in essence, that other flower shows pale in comparison with the glorious horticulture and panache of the Chelsea Flower Show.

Home... after two weeks in England, planned around an invitation to attend Chelsea's Press Day.

There's much to share, taking in the countryside, too: All to appear in the days & weeks ahead.

You'll find a special horticultural highlight from Kevock Garden Plants 
...posted on my web site: Alice's Garden Travel Buzz ...

It's a rarity I've never before encountered.

Howell Mountain Hillside: O'Shaughnessy Winery

O'Shaughnessy Winery Vista: Slopes of Howell Mountain in the hills above St. Helena.

(Photos © Alice Joyce)

Jack Chandler, Landscape Architect

Spent a lively day buzzing around Napa Wine Country with Jack Chandler, looking at various projects of Jack's spanning private estates to inviting wineries.

One project we toured, O'Shaughnessy Winery in Angwin was new to me. Difficult to imagine a more beautiful site than this East Napa County landscape, with its terraces that take full advantage of the view.

An off-the-beaten path locale for wine loving cognescenti, the winery boasts a scented entry path lined in fragrant roses, befitting a tasting of their 2007 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, which proved to be delectably stimulating. A full-bodied melding of blackberry and chocolate, blueberry, black raspberry and plum notes with cinnamon and vanilla aromas that distinguish the varietal, there are still more complex flavors to tease the palate and emerge at the finish. ((A Robert Parker rating of 95 points.))

Landscape architecture by Jack Chandler.