Our club toured a few member gardens this week. It was a lot of fun. I've blogged about these first two properties before--one Burle-Marx inspired, the other a classic Mediterranean perched on a steep slope. Both were looking spring-fabulous, so photos are in order. Bromeliad as stained glass:
A mix of sculpture and sculptural plants.
Bright light was balanced with cool shade.
The beautifully grown Aloe dorotheae in bright sun makes a wonderful contrast with the Farfugium (aka Lingularia) in deep shade behind it.
The variegated Portulacaria afra makes a wonderful froth of silvery green on a pedestal.
Next, a classic California mix of citrus, palms, bougainvillea, and xeric plants reflects the landscape in this drought year. Dry is beautiful, too.
Only a fleeting touch of green on the hills this year.
Agave macroacantha 'Pablo's Choice'. Pablo has excellent taste.
The sun shining down on Agave 'Joe Hoak'.
The homeowner/gardener rescued the tree Aloe as a broken off branch laying discarded at a local shopping center:
Myrsine africana adds sparkle.
Wisely maintained Eucalyptus frame the view.
The steep site.
Agave attenuata and Crassula ovata.
Agave vilmoriniana 'Stained Glass' (top) is one Agave I want but don't have. This one is a beauty!
Grevillea 'Ned Kelly'
Erythrina x bidwillii
Hybrid Hippeastrum are fabulous bulbs here.
Tillandsia wrapped around a palm trunk.
A magenta Callistemon?!?
A tall Alstroemeria serendipitously supported by Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'
Color and texture, all water-wise.
The last two gardens in the next post. Garden tours are always a beautiful whirlwind. You never know what's in the camera until you get home.
Eucaplytus trees remind me so much of being a kid in so Cal. :o) This garden is stunning. I've never seen a magenta bottle brush plant, either. But with all those spiky plants, I'd be covered in puncture wounds and bandaids.
ReplyDeleteNo snuggling with Pablo! ;^)
DeleteI'm always amazed to see such large absolutely pristine Agaves in the ground in your California posts. They always look like crap here after the winter. What you said about the camera is so true with tours. Sometimes you get marvelous pictures, and sometimes...not.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember one garden on the Fling that was so spectacular all my photos were terrible. Too busy gawking.
DeleteGood reminders here about how pretty drought tolerant gardens can be. Thanks for sharing your tour.
ReplyDeleteThere are some very talented gardeners in this neighborhood.
DeleteThat Aloe dorothea! Mine can only dream of those kind of growing conditions and that mature look. What fun to tour such wonderful and uniquely personal gardens - you must have a pretty cool garden club!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Hoov !
ReplyDelete