It was already hot when the our San Francisco Garden Blogger Fling bus pulled into the parking lot at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. Being a Northern California gardener I had already been to all of the public spaces we visited during Fling...except for this one. And being a succulent enthusiast I was pretty excited; I was finally checking this garden off my list of must-sees.
As I exited the bus the heat seemed to be ramping up but I began to walk the paths to see what the garden held. My first realization was that there were many more cacti than I had expected. I had only seen a few photos of the garden before this visit and it was much drier and spare looking than the impression I had gotten from those photos.
The more I walked the dry paths the hotter it felt. I suppose the landscaping added to the feeling of being in a desert and we were visiting during a bit of a heat wave. I felt like I was planning my explorations according to which direction promised the most shade.
But despite the heat there was much beauty to be found...and luckily I managed to take photos. Because it was only after I started looking at photos when I returned home that I was able to fully appreciate the beauty in the midst of starkness.
Much of that beauty was sculptural.
But the blooms that were there were amazing. This one deserves a second look!
7 comments:
That last photo is stunning! I enjoyed the sculpture exhibit even more than I did the garden.
Leslie, Your flower photos are beautiful...I especially like the last, but the bee visiting the cactus flower is pretty cute!
As you know I didnt enjoy this garden as I was hot and grumpy! However I think if it had been a little cooler I would have appreciated the forms and flowers you have highlighted. Your photos are great
What they already said ... amazing images.
I was sweaty but, like you, happy to explore this garden, and the heat made it seem even more "of the desert." Like Cindy, I really enjoyed the sculpture show and thought the bright colors and strong sculptural shapes enhanced the largely evergreen, architectural garden. I really loved that curving shade structure for the plants too.
Love your pictures! I missed that garden, since I had to return to equally hot Austin. Wish I'd had a chance to talk with you more!
wish I could have seen the plant that white on was one...is it an spi?
Post a Comment