I had the opportunity to visit Rebecca’s garden during the Garden Bloggers Fling last summer. I think it was a favorite for many of us, especially those who were missing the comfort and “hominess” of our own gardens. Not that I can grow these wonderful plants in my garden (oh that I could!)…
If Rebecca’s name sounds familiar it may be due to the fact she co-authored Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces (written with another wonderful lady, Susan Morrison), or perhaps from her garden design work as Harmony in the Garden.
It wasn't until I started to edit my photos that I realized just how many aeoniums there were in Rebecca's garden, I only included a fraction of those I saw...
I feel certain one of the other "flingers" identified this fern in a post, but I can't find it. Anyone know?
The wide brick border has me seriously considering adding another brick or two to my border, I like the more pronounced look.
Rebecca has mastered the art of the vignette...
Towards the back of the garden is her office...
A lust-worthy space for sure.
I was very tempted to toss a coin in the fountain, I wonder if anyone did?
The aeonium tower was made of cuttings.
Even though this is a horrible photo I had to include it so I could drool over the bougainvillea.
I leave you with this fabulous variegated agave, A. vilmoriniana I believe. Thank you Rebecca for sharing your beautiful garden with us!
All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
The fern is a tree fern- Blechnum gibbum, silver lady fern.
ReplyDeleteMax P.
Augh. Not hardy here, of course. Thanks Max!
DeleteI love gardeners. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIf this were Facebook I'd hit that silly "like" button.
DeleteStunning! This was one garden I was sad to miss when I wasn't able to do the SF Fling.
ReplyDeleteI echo everything you said about Rebecca. I met her at last year's Succulent Extravaganza in Castroville, CA and then again this year, and she truly is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. She does her last name proud!
Ha! You've reminded me that when I first heard of her I thought what an unfortunate last name...a big burden for someone to carry. Of course your right though and it defines her perfectly.
DeleteSo many wonderful touches here! I sigh whenever I see outdoor offices like that... *sigh*.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a California garden though. Double sigh.
I agree...both points.
DeleteIt was so lovely seeing this garden again through your pictures. It was one of my favorites, but I took so few pictures because of the heat, which I've almost forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAlmost huh? I'm looking back at that weather with a bit of longing...
DeleteAs usual, Loree, you managed to get some beautiful shots despite that burning ball in the sky. Rebecca's garden was definitely homey, yet without the loss of one bit of style or sophistication. I loved her use of succulents and her great application of Gardening Up!
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying that Jane (without the loss of one bit of style or sophistication), I would hate to think that my calling it "homey" could be taken to mean it was lacking either of those qualities.
DeleteI've seen Rebecca Sweet's garden in other photo stories but your pictures gave me a different sense of the space. And, after seeing the Grevillea in the first 3 pics, I think I really need to invest in more of those.
ReplyDeleteYou really do. Seriously.
DeleteCan't think of a more delightful way to start the week than with your post about this delightful garden. Thanks for taking me back to that cool space and that not-so-cool day!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed going back myself!
DeleteI'm so in love with this garden. Thank goodness she's writing books, she really seems to know what she's doing!
ReplyDeleteShe's a natural.
DeleteWonderful garden and it seems it reflects the personality of its owner making it all the more special.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this garden. I very much enjoyed visiting it several times on flinger blogs this year.
Hopefully we all show something just a little bit different!
DeleteOh, yes...the vignettes are wonderful, as is everything else about this garden.
ReplyDeleteWish you could have seen it in person ricki, I think you would have really loved it...
DeleteShe has a stunning looking garden Loree, and it's not that dissimilar to yours. You're both masters of vignette and arrangements.
ReplyDeleteThank you guys! I was going to say something about my feeling at home here because of all her smaller scale arrangements but I didn't want to take anything away from her by comparing her garden to mine.
DeleteThe brick walkway with the circular seating area is so elegant, like something from the Sunset Magazine Garden. I love the pale aqua frosty Echeverias lining the walkway, and the Aeonium tower. What an amazing garden, but so much of it could only happen in California. Sigh. The Grevilleas always look to me like plants from outer space, but they are growing on me.
ReplyDeleteHer garden is very much of place...but I bet it would be equally wonderful no matter what zone she gardened in. I am very glad you're starting to like grevilleas, they are wonderful plants!
DeleteWell-said, and I'm in total agreement! A magical garden to be sure. My bougainvillea shots are weak, but who cares, when it is that spiny and flowers so nicely?
ReplyDeleteI was back in T or C this weekend (sad story) and spotted a gorgeous bougainvillea at Walmart of all places. It was a dark pink bloom fading to orange. I almost bought it...
DeleteOh wow, that is a magical garden for sure. I certainly do love that fern! And all those gorgeous succulents ... AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteHer use of the powdery echeveria as edging was probably my favorite...
DeleteA charming garden that was, far removed from the chaos in mine..and what a genuinely nice lady Rebecca is..meeting people like that restores ones confidence in humankind, and reinforces my belief that world would be a better place if everyone was a gardener !
ReplyDeleteHallelujah sister!
DeleteShe definitely is a master at creating vignettes that are appealing to the eye and that you want to study for a half hour in order to see all the detail. I enjoyed seeing her garden again through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh yes...I neglected to mention the way her spaces slow you down to look at all the small details. So true!
DeleteThe Blechnum gibbum can be brought indoors as a houseplant in winter, it is much more tolerant of indoor conditions than most other tree ferns such as Cyatheas and Dicksonias. It also does well as a container plant long term, as long as it doesn't go dry.
ReplyDeleteGood to know, if I ever see one in these parts I might just grab it!
DeleteJust as I imagined her garden to be! Magical!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet "real" too...
DeleteLove that cobalt blue gate and all the vignettes...and that whirly whorly pinkish flower...wow!
ReplyDeleteI think the gate and fence were actually almost black. A trick of my camera turned it cobalt. Still gorgeous either way!
DeleteBeautiful! I've got to study these again and again and maybe some style will imprint in my brain! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHa! Good luck...
DeleteI actually knew the name of that fern but I see someone else got to it already.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of a spectacular garden! I was in Portland 2 Aprils ago for Hortlandia and I did get to a few gardens before heading up to the Seattle area for a a few days wandering the roads & islands visiting nurseries & gardens. It was such fun!
A great part of the world for an adventure like you describe!
Deleteit's so fun to see posts about the SF fling trickle in... reminds me of all the fun we had and inspiration we soaked up there, esp in rebecca's garden. so looking forward to portland!
ReplyDelete