Bay Area Tendrils

Point Lobos Vista

2013-04-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

A day of hiking ... Point Lobos State Nature Reserve

Life is good.

"Walk Gently, Breathe Deeply, & Reflect"

Farewell .. Adieu, My Sweet Garden: 4th Blogiversary

2013-01-14T09:20:00.004-08:00

Greetings my friends,

today marks the 4th Blogiversary of Bay Area Tendrils ...

It's a celebratory day, yet one that is bittersweet as I'm preparing to say farewell to my garden.

Perhaps the dearth of posts has hinted at a major life change on the horizon.

And so, for the second time I am parting from a garden I've nurtured from the ground up, having worked for nearly 15 years to create a sanctuary space from scratch in Northern California. The Bay Area Tendrils archives tell the tale of my move from Chicago, where I left behind a beloved small-space town garden.

The Midwestern winters had taken their toll after decades of shoveling snow, together with the endless challenges of icy winters and a flat-roof building. The temperate climate of California held the promise of a kinder environment: Year-round gardening with a breathtaking palette of plant material.

In the past I've posted photos to illustrate the transition: The process of designing an outdoor room for relaxation, to share meals, and bask in the company of birds, bees and butterflies. But first, I would spend the better part of two years extricating brambles and shoveling out loads of rubble in preparation for planting. Digging deep, then mounding up a series of beds and borders filled with compost and fresh soil amendment. All toted back and forth, bag-by-bag in my Honda hatchback, along with pavers and plants to transform the blank slate into my own lush botanical wonderland.

When I leave here I'll take a small selection of container plants:

Indispensable herbs like rosemary and lavender;

Cupheas to invite hummingbirds to my new balcony;

Succulent beauties like Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' & 'Sunburst.'

"The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. The more one gardens, the more one learns; And the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows." ~ Vita Sackville-West

Mt. Tam at Dusk .. Marin County

2012-12-19T20:21:00.004-08:00

As the 4th anniversary of blogging on Bay Area Tendrils approaches,

I'm considering how to commemorate the occasion. Leave a comment if you have any ideas...

View of Mt. Tamalpais at Dusk

An iPhone photo that lacks a crisp focus, but thought I'd share it regardless.

Our 'mountain' in Marin County may not be very high, but it's a beloved landmark with a profile that can't be missed.

Rainy Season in Northern California

2012-10-25T07:19:00.001-07:00

The rainy season has arrived in Northern California, a long-awaited drenching for garden beds and borders.

I rarely have time to post these days. Life seems to be getting in the way.

As Fall moves toward the Winter season, I sit with a cup of tea and dream about my visit a few years ago to Rancho La Puerta. The inspiring landscape of Tecate, Mexico remains in my mind's eye, along with a high point of my week long-stay at the spa: a cooking class at The Kitchen That Sings! ... La Cocina Que Canta.

With the sound of falling rain outside my office window, I'm imagining the scent of something wonderful baking in the oven. A savory tart for dinner? Or, I might just step out into the garden to pick Lemon Verbena leaves before the first frost of the season. If I turn the oven on very low, the leaves can be quickly dried for tea to enjoy in the months ahead. The wonderful aroma of the drying herb will fill the house!

Ethereal Atmosphere Celebrates Golden Gate Bridge at 75

2012-10-08T11:02:00.001-07:00

International Orange Exhibition Runs Through Oct. 28, 2012 at Historic Fort Point, San Francisco

The elusiveness of fog provides inspiration for an installation by Pae White ~ Entitled...

'muhf-uhl'

An artist I admire, Pae White is among the group of artists selected to honor the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge in celebration of its 75th anniversary.

A vast woven tapestry sets the stage for visitors to experience the foggy atmosphere so often encountered when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Read more about the exhibit and participating artists on the FOR-SITE web site:

www.international-orange.org/

Glimpsing Garden Glory

2012-09-17T11:11:00.003-07:00

Vignettes from my forays in Venice & the Veneto...

Villa Barbaro Nymphaeum: a glassy pool and the sculptural extravagance of the architecture could only be glimpsed through the villa's expansive windows ~ Maser, the Veneto.

A mosaic design accents the richly adorned paved paths ~ André Heller Botanic Garden

Gardone, Lago di Garda

Austere hedging and meticulous pebble pathways surround a private villa garden in ..

Bardolino ~ Lago di Garda

... while here, in Alice's Garden the Red Cestrum ~ Cestrum newellii is a top performer.

Blooming nearly year-long, it's a shrubby specimen that invites hummingbirds, bees and butterflies to the waxy red flower clusters!

Visions of Venice

2012-09-05T15:40:00.004-07:00

Decorative metalwork .. Peggy Guggenheim Museum gateway.

When in Venice .. If you find yourself yearning to leave the crowds behind, continue strolling along the canal, away from the tourists that gather round St. Mark's ...

... and eventually you'll come to the expansive public parklands - the Giardini at the eastern edge of the city. This green space was quiet during my June sojourn, but I believe the Architecture Biennale is taking place there this Fall.

A favorite meal ~ Misto alla Griglia

Nothing is more exciting for a lover of fine food than happening upon an inviting cafe, especially when the skies have opened to rain down on me. The small bar/restaurant where I enjoyed this meal was very much off-the-beaten path, a spot I wouldn't have found had I not been searching for a 'secret garden' my B&B host told me about.

Though the garden was locked when I finally located it, the cafe provided a cozy table where we sipped a lovely white wine from the Veneto region, accompanied by the freshly prepared meal of roasted vegetables ~ a highlight of my day.

After leaving Venice to tour Lago di Garda for a week or so, we had returned to Venice to stay in a hotel in the Castello sestiere. [Our initial stay had been at a B&B in the Cannaregio.]

A yearning to get to know a city more intimately always motivates my journeys. As in choosing to walk away from Venice's popular tourist attractions in an attempt to discover the city of the modern-day Venetian.

Venice is not a city to dash into and out of, in my opinion. It is no longer the city I visited years ago, but it remains a unique destination. A glistening city at twilight; entrancing if you allow a languid approach to exploring its rare wonders.

Vertical Garden Sighting: U.K.

2012-08-30T10:28:00.004-07:00

Taking a short break from my travels in Italy to report on a ...

Vertical Garden ~ M&S

[Photo Wikipedia]

Marks and Spencer has installed a green wall on the facade of the contemporary storefront in Norwich, England: Architectural Design by Benoy includes an extension and refurbishment to the existing store.

In this instance, the sustainability 'Plan A' policy developed by M&S is represented in part by the wall's expansive plantings. What do you think of the concept?

Veneto Vista

2012-08-15T19:56:00.003-07:00

One of the hauntingly romantic landscapes visited during my sojourn in Italy's Veneto region:

Villa Arvedi allowed me to experience the hospitality of a contemporary setting that remains true to

the sophistication and elegance of another era.

To read more, visit AlicesGardenTravelBuzz.com

Brilliant! San Francisco Tiled Steps

2012-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed the dearth of posts recently?

Yesterday I spent the entire day working in the garden. It's the time of year when I like to revamp the design; editing plants, cutting back, deadheading, and other such tasks.

Friday I took a day off, going into San Francisco on a cool, foggy summer day - typical weather.

The aim: to hike up the beautifully worked 'Tiled Steps' - a project completed at 16th Avenue & Moraga, Inner Sunset neighborhood. Followed by a tasty lunch at The Liberty Cafe in Bernal Heights.

www.tiledsteps.org

Check it out!

Dreaming of Italy .. Lago di Garda

2012-07-20T10:53:00.003-07:00

All the months of planning that go into travel abroad...

and all too soon the trip is over.

Thankfully, the memories remain vivid in my mind's eye. At times, a flashback will trigger the excitement of a beautiful vista, as when I first glimpsed the magnificent Dolomites towering above Riva del Garda. Or I'll be going about my usual activities, and suddenly the day comes alive with the sensory recollections of a rainy summer day exploring Lake Garda.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection ... a revelation!

Art lovers swoon over the masterpieces housed in the stunning white palace on Venice's Grand Canal. I found it difficult to pull myself away from this fascinating museum, a setting that resonates with the imagined voices of the artists and literary figures who visited Peggy's famous gatherings.

Reviewing my photos, I'll find a simple vignette brings to mind a treasured experience. Like when I gazed upon a patch of colorful poppies while trekking through the Roman Ruins in the town of Sirmione: One of Lake Garda's most picturesque towns, located on a peninsula that juts into the southern end of the lake.

Just strolling the streets of Bardolino was a joy, taking in the sights and aromas of the lively, bustling community. Bardolino served to anchor our time on Lago di Garda, a perfect base to take ferries that criss-cross the lake, or comfortable bus rides, following the coastline from one fascinating village to another.

Garden Travel .. Hop On-Board

2012-07-10T14:44:00.006-07:00

My travels in Italy continue ...

You're invited to visit & ... 'Like'

http://www.facebook.com/alicesgardentravelbuzz

Glorious Gardone: André Heller Botanic Garden

2012-07-05T15:17:00.003-07:00

An entrancing surprise during my sojourn in Northern Italy:

After an early-morning ferry across Lake Garda from my hotel in Bardolino, on the eastern side, I set my sights on the lovely town of Gardone Riviera.

Strolling up the hill from the waterfront, I dodged raindrops in anticipation of my

visit to the André Heller Botanic Garden.

The Keith Haring sculpture is one of the iconic installations among countless artworks in the garden,

set amidst lavish plantings & paths enlivened by ebullient water features.

* Visit Alice's Garden Travel Buzz to read more. *

The magnificent Dolomites loom above the town of Riva del Garda,

located at the northern edge of the Lake Garda.

Turning Towards Torcello

2012-06-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

One of the great surprises of my Italian sojourn:

Historic Torcello, barely populated, yet at one time, the beating heart of the Veneto.

Some 20 people now occupy this island in the Venetian lagoon where 10,000 or more once thrived.

Wild meadows and fenced areas under cultivation caught my eye,

along with Ristorante Villa 600, where we stopped to sip an afternoon 'Spritz' in the peaceful gardens.

Ponte del diavolo / Photo: Wikipedia

The ancient bridge found on Torcello is a popular place for tourist shutterbugs to pose.

The only other bridge of its kind in the region is Ponte Chiodo,

leading directly to the door of the Ponte Chiodo Guest House, where I was welcomed upon arrival in Venice.

Community Garden Ornament .. Artifact

2012-06-18T08:58:00.002-07:00

Our community garden is located on the property of a once grand estate in town,

an historic house that survives along with deteriorating walls and ornamentation.

The hardscape is quite amazing, though falling ever deeper into disrepair.

Buddleia Bliss! Miss Ruby Is A Stunner

2012-05-26T15:43:00.004-07:00

Alice's Garden is a rather petite plot.

Thankfully, I can expand upon the plants I insist upon cultivating by taking advantage of T's community garden.

At times, when a shipment of plants arrives to trial from Proven Winners - Color Choice shrubs, I'll choose to 'install' certain choice cultivars at T's veggie allotment - aka: our community garden plot, located about one mile from our house.

The community gardens are laid out in our town's parkland, where Buddleia 'Miss Ruby' has had plenty of room to flourish. Indeed, she stops folks in their tracks as they're strolling past.

While T. might be weeding or tending to the veggies, and cutting flowers he harvests for bouquets, he'll often hear someone call over the fence by the path, "What is that... a butterfly bush?" Followed by, "it doesn't look like my buddleia!"

My 'Miss Ruby' butterfly bush is currently covered in long-stemmed blooms that beg to be admired.

We do our part, dutifully oohing and aahing over the fragrant, deep toned ruby spires that I can't get enough of.

Paradise in Mill Valley: Garden Conservancy Open Days

2012-05-15T11:53:00.006-07:00

Sneak Peek!

The Garden Conservancy 'Open Days' Program takes place on Saturday, June 16th in

Marin County.

The magical Mill Valley paradise created by artist/photographer Don Worth will be one of the gardens opening to the public, allowing for a rare opportunity to visit a unique West Coast landscape.

In the days ahead, I'll be writing an in-depth feature on Alice's Garden Travel Buzz: Drop by to see a photo portfolio of the garden and learn more about Worth's exceptional vision.

You'll not want to miss the chance to wander this lush landscape if you are anywhere in the vicinity of the Bay Area on the 16th of June.

Queen of the Bog Garden .. Lovely Lobelia

2012-05-05T20:01:00.002-07:00

Magnificent dark-leaved Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' ...

photographed at Portland's South Waterfront Park.

Without a doubt, Portland is one of my favorite U.S. destinations for summertime garden splendor!

Wild Lupines .. Catalina State Park

2012-04-25T09:28:00.001-07:00

Truly Blue...

Arizona Lupine: Lupinus sparsiflorus

Catalina State Park

Tucson

Gamble Garden Tour: Mark Your Calendars!

2012-04-17T09:58:00.004-07:00

The blue watering can invites you to take a stroll down the garden path.....

Photo Copyright Nadine Priestly Photography

The 27th Annual Elizabeth F. Gamble Spring Tour

takes place this year on April 27 & 28 / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The featured gardens all incorporate edibles in the designs, so you're certain to be inspired.

Spanning Crescent Park to Old Palo Alto and circling back to the Gamble Garden at 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, the tour is one of the most popular in the Bay Area.

If for some reason you can't attend the tour, you can plan on enjoying a host of activities at the Garden: food and music; horticultural advice and a plant sale; silent auction and shopping at special boutiques. 'Over the Garden Fence' may tempt you, with gently used treasures. No ticket is needed to be a part of the fun!

If you haven't visited in while, or have yet to discover the Elizabeth Gamble Garden, this is a terrific opportunity to enjoy the beautiful setting and mingle with like-minded garden lovers.

Visit www.gamblegarden.org for details and to purchase a ticket for the tour.

Gardens of Tohono Chul Park, Tucson

2012-04-10T15:07:00.004-07:00

My Tucson sojourn took in terrific meals at restaurants like Cafe Poca Cosa and Feast. There were wonderful hikes in sublime desert settings,

and gardens, of course!

My timing was perfect to catch full bloom on the ornamental, evergreen trees, Sophora (aka Calia) secundiflora, at Tohono Chul Park located on the city's Northwest side on Paseo del Norte.

Common names for the showy beauty in the photo include Mescal bean, not to be confused with the Agave used to make mezcal. Another moniker you might be familiar with: Mountain laurel. But I like the sound of Sophora secundiflora as it rolls off the tongue.

When I first saw the lavish blooms I thought of the Empress Tree, Paulownia tomentosa, which produces gorgeous purple panicles in Spring. They appear to be unrelated.

You can easily spend hours exploring the Park's demonstration gardens and walking trails, art exhibits and gift shops, sign up for a daily tour, or plan your visit for to coincide with special event or class at Tohono Chul. The inviting patio of the Tearoom -- a popular spot with locals and garden tourists. To read more, see the Tohono Chul feature on Alice's Garden Travel Buzz - click at the top of the page on the right.

And stay tuned for more Tucson highlights!

Dream Catcher .. Kudos, Kolkwitzia!

2012-04-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Reprise:
Having turned the corner on the 3-year anniversary of Bay Area Tendrils,

I'm reposting one of the loveliest shrubs sent by 'Proven Winners' to trial in my garden.

The company released the plant about 5 years ago.

Finally, the rain returns .. and the garden is a dance floor where juncos strut.

Having been buried in a mountain of tax forms - always anxious to put this yearly task behind me - I await the emergence of some of my favorite spring-bloomers to begin showing signs of life.

I photographed this fairly recent addition to the garden last April.

Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Dream Catcher' is the aptly named Beauty Bush, a Proven Winners cultivar worth seeking out.

A profuse bloomer, it boasts glowing foliage in filtered shade, and a graceful branching form.

Beschorneria Bloom: An Update

2012-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Beschorneria yuccoides

(Note: This is an updated post with the spelling corrected: The plant is not blooming now, but ... it has had pups! Multiple plant offsets have formed at the base and I'm in the process of detaching a few.)

With each passing day the Beschorneria flowering stalk continues to unfurl.

The weather persists in a strangely cold and wet pattern, despite having entered the Bay Area's dry season. Still, the garden has enjoyed a thorough, natural, watering and that's a good thing!

Part 1 - Mexican Lily .. Countdown to Bloom

San Francisco Flower and Garden Show Buzz!

2012-03-24T10:06:00.002-07:00

Part I - A handful of highlights from the 2012 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

GardenMob by Saunders Design

featured expansive walls representing "upcycled landfill rescue materials,"

a long rectangular pool and colorful Rhodies.

Below: The PLANit Green garden demonstrated the successful use of recycled 'Urbanite' as a hardscape material, reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and local rock.

Created by the West Valley College Landscape Architecture Student Club and Habitat Horticulture,

the minimal design is set off by a cool color scheme, with planted pillars as focal points,

and a massed planting of Astelia 'Red Gem.'

Savanna!

An engaging garden on every level of sensory experience, designed by the guru of grasses, John Greenlee.

Today: Saturday March 24th at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show Gala, this fabulous garden will be raffled off - value $25,000 - to benefit the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society.

To read more, visit... Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

Mariposa Gardening and Design

Their stonework is always outstanding!

The Darjit garden, with its golden dragon sculpture by Kobi Beck, drew plenty of crowds as show visitors posed for photo opportunities. The material, Darjit utilizes primarily recycled paper together with a mix of china clay, rock powder and cellulose fibre.

An excellent selection of beautiful poster art at the ...

Vintage European Posters booth:

The company is located in Berkeley on Fourth Street.

Seriously Stormy: Thornless Flowering Quince

2012-03-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Early Spring Bloomers...

My garden boasts new blooming shrubs this Spring, in shades of scarlet and orange.

Photo: Courtesy Proven Winners

The shrubs are thornless varieties of Double Take flowering quince and they're proving to be an excellent addition to Alice's Garden. Some time in May last year the plant shipment arrived, sent to me by Proven Winners to trial. I planted an "Orange Storm' in the enclosed front patio area and another in the main garden outside the french doors at the rear of the house.

The showy, double flowers began opening in early March. Now fully open, stems have many more flower buds forming. As you can see, they look a lot like camellias, though not as large. They are quite a bit bigger and with a more beguiling form than the flowers on species shrubs.

Double Take 'Scarlet Storm' - Chaenomeles

One of the'Scarlet Storm' plants has been planted in a rather sequestered spot in my garden. I'm glad to see tall stems emerging as they seek the light.

'Pink Storm' is planted in T's sunny community garden in our town center, where it receives full sun; more than anywhere here at home. Another is planted at my friend's plot a block away, where I can keep an eye on it. There's been so much rain lately that I haven't had a chance to photograph the pink form, but it's blooming abundantly and clearly thriving at the community garden plot. I'll surely continue to photograph these beauties. I'm smitten!