The Garden as Art

Gardening, Artmaking, Wondering, Wandering

[thegardenasart]

1/26/17 

I looked up from weeding to see Fuchsia excorticata blooming this morning.  This large, tree-like fuchsia bears diminutive flowers.  Here, in the Bay Area the almost iridescent blooms dangle and open before the plant pushes out leaf growth in the spring.  They’re a nice surprise to see decorating this fuchsia’s pretty bark like ornaments.  

[thegardenasart]

1/19/17

One of my favorite plants, Trillium chloropetalum, is a California native, a harbinger of wildflower season and oh so beautiful.  I was happy to spot it blooming in the garden today.

[thegardenasart]

1/7/17

I’m starting up a new round of ceramics classes this week and trying to be more intentional about the work I produce.  I’m planning a series of plant/pot pairings: pots designed to functionally and visually match a specific plant.  Here’s my design for a pot to house one of California’s native Adiantums.  I’ll post the realized pot when it’s completed.  

[thegardenasart]

1/1/17

I spent the first day of the New Year at work, the only person in the garden.  It was a beautiful, quiet day.  The aloes are coming into bloom.  Both their flowers and foliage pop with color on these gray winter days.  

[thegardenasart]

1/8/17 I discovered video editing recently and have been playing around during these rainy winter days. Here are moments in the garden: 2016.

[thegardenasart]

12/22

L.A. hummingbird

[thegardenasart]

12/17

New wall decoration: Tillandsias on Eriogonum arborescens branches.

[thegardenasart]

12/13

I’ve been busy the last few weeks at work creating frost protection structures for the Australasian plants we’re growing that are only marginally hardy.  For the most part I’ve been covering the more sensitive ferns, cycads, and rhododendrons.  

Constructing these structures, which are made of wire, bamboo stakes, and frost cloth, is a lot like making a site specific sculpture.  The forms have a very sculptural quality, especially when seen in early morning and late afternoon light.  The structures create a curious frame for these tender plants.  It’s wonderful to uncover the frost cloth every week or so to let in some light and rainwater and to be greeted by surprise new growth.

[thegardenasart]

12/11

We walked through the Presidio of San Francisco this morning to see the four site-specific sculptures Andy Goldsworthy has installed in the park.  From top to bottom are Spire (2008), Wood Line (2011), Earth Wall (2014), and Tree Fall (2013).

[thegardenasart]

12/5

An Australian cycad, Cycas platyphylla, up close.  Look at the detail on those fronds.

[thegardenasart]

12/3

About two months ago we moved into an apartment in San Francisco with a tiny backyard.  This is the first time I’ve lived anywhere with a garden space to do with as I please.  Here are photos when we first moved in and now two months on.

I amended the compacted, sandy soil with topsoil and chicken manure.  I’ve put in some new plantings, and I’ve started some annuals by seed.  I’m hoping to start a small cut flower patch in the spring.  With some work, attention, and luck the garden should be looking good come summer.

[thegardenasart]

12/2

Banksia occidentalis in full bloom in the garden.

[thegardenasart]

11/27

California’s fall is long.  It’s almost December and the Japanese Maples are still blazing with color.

[thegardenasart]

11/27

A perfect moment in the garden.  Muhlenbergia capillaris steals the show.

[thegardenasart]

11/16

An Australian Dichroa in fruit in the garden.

[thegardenasart]

11/15

Mimosa pudica, the sensitive plant, doing its thing in the tropical house.

[thegardenasart]

11/15

A nice plant combination, especially after rain: Calliandra eriophylla and Agave parryi.