The Wave Garden

My survey of the Fling gardens continue.

A choice mix of the latest and greatest in trendy plants on a terraced slope by the Bay.  Though a private garden, it is open to visitors.  Ocean influence is strong, granting the plants luxuriously mild conditions.  You can see it on Google maps:

(Photo:  Google Maps)
Cussonia paniculata:


 Before you even get to the Wave garden, the plant palette is introduced by another homeowner's garden a few dozen yards up the road.  Leucadendrons, Grevilleas, and Restios thrive in the coastal climate, dancing in crisp breezes fresh from San Francisco Bay.
 

 
The non-plant views are also impressive. 



Approached from below, the garden's layout is that of an ascending pathway with landings.  Hand-forged rails provide safety and are part of the swirling, curving rhythm.

There are a few metal sculptures, but the main highlight of the garden were the plants, many from South Africa or Australia.  The colors ranged from acid yellow through oranges and reds to purple, and most of the color was in the foliage, though there were some flowers.
At the garden's entrance, wispy blooms contrast with the meaty foliage of a variegated Furcrea:

Leucospermum, possibly 'Sunrise':

Grevillea:

Verbena bonariensis against a backdrop of acid yellow Euphorbia:



Against more yellow foliage, the flowers of Trachelium caeruleum visually echo the smaller purple Verbena.  The Trachelium has nearly black stems, and the unopened flower heads are also black, creating a somber note.
 
Just as somber under a summer sky was a dark-leafed Cotinus



The Chondropetalum seed heads also added a touch of black.  The garden offered a great unity of color.

A bronzy Restio tuft:
 
A bronzy grass:

With contrasting brilliance, Leucadendron foliage was mesmerizing through a camera's lens.  Clouds of flame color met razor-edged purple.  It is said that taking pictures of a place distracts a person from really experiencing the place--but in this instance, the camera made the plant all the more dazzling.

A touch of bright white in the Romneya flowers.

Restios, a Yucca, a Hakea(?), and more Leucadendron.  I imagined I saw the influence of famed designer Piet Oudolf in the meadow-like sweeps of foliage; cleverly made Californian by the plant selection--Mediterranean rather than Prairie...

...ocean, not lake.

Adenanthos cuneatus, native to South Africa, happy so close to the sea.  My own looks poorly in comparison.

 The stairs and landings that act to enclose planting areas as well as to allow for visitors.  

We visitors, so numerous, made it challenging to take vista photos.  The Happy Plant Paparazzi swarm once again!

 Brooding Cotinus in the background, a fat Crassula up front, Leucadendron, Aeonium, and others in the middle:
 
An Aeonium (Canary Islands) with a (?)clumping grass:

The blue of a sculpture...
 
...is color linked to the tiny blue flowers of a Dianella.  

The owner's home sits discreetly above...  
  
...a garden of great beauty and style.