The Chosen Few .. Botanical Assets

Blue Lotus

Photo: Little & Lewis

A final '2010' recap, looking afresh at scintillating botanical assets that contribute to a sense of place and style in 3 very different settings. In the new garden created by artist/ plantsmen...

Little & Lewis of Bainbridge Island, Washington, a blue lotus lures garden visitors to a lush spot in the landscape: Representative of the sculptural and horticultural tableaux associated with this exceptional team of artist/designers, and the unmistakable vitality of their work.

Eye-catching in its simplicity of design: the Moss Walkway at Stone Edge Farm.

There's nothing quite so exciting as visiting a landscape for the first time, and being stopped in one's tracks! Faced with a distinctive prospect such as this planting reminds me of why I revel in traveling from one garden to the next, never knowing what surprises await.

Leucadendron salignum growing and glowing in the Wave Garden.

There's little that can be said about this stunning member of the Proteaceae family that is not apparent in the photograph. Yet, when I think how very recently these magnificent, drought-tolerant South African plants have become widely available in California and other U.S. regions where they may grow and thrive, I'm deeply thankful to be gardening at this time, and and in this place!

Looking Back .. Going Forward!

2010 draws to a close: The time of year to look back, moving forward!

Above... a new garden installation at Cornerstone Sonoma

'Cocoons' by Andy Cao and Xavier Perrot -- created with 5 miles of colored monofilament wrapped around a laser cut stainless steel armature fabricated by William Massie, architect. Forms that turn and spin in the windy, open landscape in wine country.

Since early 2010, I've focused more on regional destinations, news & events on this blog: Bay Area Tendrils, and have taken to highlighting garden settings and public landscapes near and far on Alice's Garden Travel Buzz.

Below:

La Cocina que Canta Cooking School - Rancho La Puerta

When I look back over 2010, my dream journey to Rancho La Puerta in Tecate stands out. You may recall the flowing form of this dry-stone bench; an element of the garden's site-appropriate hardscaping.

I'll always have fond memories of my spa week at Rancho La Puerta

Sky at Dusk .. Tecate, Mexico.

I'll recall the beauty of the cultivated gardens, and especially the surrounding natural landscape, which is protected open space.

A lush vignette from my Springtime sojourn to Britain: a Tamarisk at the Chelsea Physic Garden: I wrote about a treasure trove of English Gardens & a rare Welsh landscape on:

Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

A recent sojourn to experience the legacy of Rene & Veronica di Rosa in Napa Valley.

A Celebration of Art and Nature at:

di Rosa Preserve

Visit di Rosa and enjoy a nature walk through the Sculpture Meadow: Learn about the Preserve's restoration efforts of riparian areas, and wildflower plantings.

Ron Mann Sculpture - Stone Edge Farm and Winery

2010 opened my eyes to ancestral English estates, verdant autumnal walks, and to artists and designers who continue to push at boundaries as a means of personal expression.

Fences, Walls, Garden Gates .. A Neighborhood Stroll

An artistic entryway.

Rainy season insectary plant: Prostrate Rosemary spilling over the rocks.

What's your garden style?

Drought-tolerant, cascading streetside plantings.

Boulders & bold plant forms lend structure to a front gravel garden.

A stepped design perfectly suited to the site.

A straighforward statement.

Mediterranean attitude.

Japanese influence.

...Privacy Wall...

Moroccan blue sets this front garden apart.