And walked some more, including up to the top of Telegraph Hill and to The Coit Tower.
If you’d have asked me that morning if I was up for seeing (and photographing) more plants I would have laughed. Turns out its just habit, see a cool plant…reach for the camera.
I believe this a bloomed out Beschorneria but I have no idea which one. (*update: identified as Furcraea longaeva, thanks Max!*)
The Golden Gate as seen from Telegraph Hill.
Alcatraz
Oh and there were lots of cool plants up there.
But there were also rules.
You might ask yourself why there is a statue of Christopher Columbus here. I know I did.
I've got no idea which Callistemon this is, but it's LUSH...
Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana)
What are these? Strange tops, strange bottoms.
But there are leaves...
Looking out at the city from above a huge Echium...
Now we've left the Coit Tower and are heading down off the hill.
Tall tree-ferns get me every-time...
Not to mention bougainvillea, gorgeous bougainvillea...
Views from the street...
This building is where we were headed. More on that in a minute.
Here's someone going for broke!
I do love a gardener who just HAS TO GARDEN...
Where there might be a sickly little street tree instead there are succulents.
And soon to be more.
Nice color...
Here was an unexpected pocket garden tucked in a steep, narrow strip of land.
That's a very very controlled Cotinus, can you believe how flat it is?
When you live like this you need pockets of green wherever you can find them.
Is this a crime scene?
Or just someone wanting to give their plants a fighting chance?
So we arrive at our second destination.
A redwood forest in the city!
And more tree-ferns...
Beautiful!
And this, it really was this green...
All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
What a beautiful city and a great walk you had! I was bummed about BART but it was also nice to just hang out. The mystery plant looks like a Geranium maderense to me. Cool huh?
ReplyDeleteYa I was upset at first that I didn't get to go forward with the plans for the day but it ended up being really nice to stay low-key and just hang with the husband.
DeleteI think the mystery plant was Geranium maderense.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that EVERYONE knows this plant but me?
DeleteSince I live so close to San Francisco, I never take the time to walk around the way you did. But there is so much to see, I'm inspired now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teenager and visited with my family I fell in love with the city, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Much of that magic still remains for me.
DeleteI think that tall bloom spike (pic # 10) is a Furcraea longaeva. Fast grower, but tender. Looks like a more user friendly version of an agave.
ReplyDeleteMax P.
You're calling agaves unfriendly!??! (I kid)
DeleteBeautiful! Those tree ferns are absolutely gorgeous! And I looooove the bougainvillea. It really goes to show just how mild San Fran actually is.
ReplyDeleteIndeed...and I still remain jealous.
DeleteIt looks as though you got a good view of the "real" San Francisco on your side trip. I agree with the comments above re the mystery plant - it's Geranium maderense (past it's prime).
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. It was my husband's first real experience of walking the streets and seeing how the city folk live. He was amazed.
DeleteI agree, the "strange tops, strange bottoms" is Geranium maderense. Very popular in the City, as are other plants from the island of Madeira. Having worked in SF for many years, I can tell you that once Flora Grubb came on the scene, their has been a profusion of pocket gardens full of succulents. Her influence is everywhere now.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's a good thing! (sorry Martha)
DeleteAgreed, I think it is Geranium maderense. I have been curious about it, but it cant handle z7. (google close ups of the flowers and you'll see my interest)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a crazy cool plant!
DeleteOh, what a fine walk! I wish I'd stayed another few days. These are great shots and make me want to return right this minute.
ReplyDeleteLinda I think you could have stayed a month and not run out of things to see and do...what a place! Nice to have met you btw.
DeleteThe mystery plant is Geranium Madrense - comes from Maderia. It isnt hardy here in the UK and once it flowers (here) it dies but it is rather nice. I had one and lost it as it had got too big to bring in and we had very very cold winter - bye bye plant
ReplyDeleteI think we've all had a few of those sad good-byes...
DeleteMy favorite thing to do in any city is to walk and walk with no pre-set agenda. Thanks for doing it for us in the city by the sea.
ReplyDeleteAnytime ricki...(mine too!)
DeleteSome day, I hope to go back to SF. The only time I went it rained for five days straight. I think another visit would make me see a completely different city. Thanks for the wonderful preview!
ReplyDeleteWhen Andrew and I visited a couple of years ago it was very rainy, and windy. So much so Flora Grubb was closed when we went back a second time (I had decided I needed to buy something I'd passed up). It is a very different city in the sunshine.
DeleteYou and Andrew did well Loree..nice plant-centric views of the city .
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy!
DeleteSF must be virtually frost free to grow some of these plants. I had no idea the California climate was that mild so far up the coast. Thanks for the tour. David/:0)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing? "frost-free"...what a concept!
DeleteHow WONDERFUL! That terrace, water feature in the third shot with the bamboo is fabulous. And all the little pocket gardens, marvelous. Love the steep hillside garden. It's incredible. So much there to enjoy. I'd be that person on the balcony with no room to move because of the amount of plants on it. I've always HAD to garden, LOL
ReplyDeleteKindred spirits! Had the Fire Marshall visited one of my old apartments I'm sure I would have been asked to remove the plants I had all along the back staircase. I'm sure they were a hazard, but beautiful!
DeleteI love walking in SF area too, especially Palo Alto, and Brisbane, hills like in some of your photos and houses and gardens built up the hills 3 and even 4 levels. Seeing the photos is almost like being there. My Santolina is also blooming.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could take you back, however briefly.
Delete