Thursday, June 13, 2019

A hanging succulent display, and thoughts on garden touring

We return to Santa Barbara and enjoy an up-close look at this succulent display...

Instead of a tile mosaic, or painting, tucked into the niche above a water basin these homeowners display a bit of succulent artwork.

It's precisely these kinds of discoveries—touches unique to garden and it's location—that make garden touring so rewarding.

On the eve of two large multi-garden tours I will be taking part in this month, I'm anticipating all sorts of wonderful surprises, new plant crushes, and ideas I will need to try out in my own garden.

I'm also reminded of a conversation I recently had with a neighbor. I'd warned him a group of 50 or so people were set to descend upon my garden the next day. He was a little confused.

Q. Why are they coming?
A. To look at my garden.
Q. Do you have some sort of rare plants?
A. I suppose a few unusual ones.
Q. What will will they do?
A. Look at my garden, ask questions, write down plant names, take photos.

His expression told me I hadn't done an adequate job of explaining. Some people watch sports, some people play video games, some people collect stamps. Other people tour gardens. Life is good.

Weather Diary, June 12: Hi 98 (a new record for the day), Low 68/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

13 comments:

  1. I love the exchange you had with your neighbor. It explains perfectly why we're a breed apart, ha ha.

    I completely missed this succulent niche.

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    1. I swear you were standing there with me while I was snapping photos!

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  2. I'm befuddled that not everyone is as garden crazed as I am, how can that be? Alas, no amount of explanations will be enough :D
    Lucky you, having all these garden tours coming up and thank you in advance for the posts that will surely follow. Its funny how sometimes all one remembers from an otherwise stunning garden is one little vignette that made the heart jump!

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    1. I do feel very lucky indeed, and look forward to sharing what I see...

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  3. I have to remind myself from time to time that not everyone is 'into' plants and nature. I simply cannot understand it!

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  4. I remember hearing a couple of people in my office talking and I thought the conversation was about mutual friends. No, it was about characters on a TV show. Now, that is how I am with plant talks. Takes all kinds!

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    1. Ha! Excellent comparison! (we don’t watch TV either)

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  5. There are a LOT of people like your neighbor in my area. In fact, I'd say, the vast majority fall into that category. And, for my part, I can't see why gardens aren't important to everyone. My #1 goal in conducting every garden tour I do for kids is to find something (anything!) that triggers their interest.

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    1. Thank god for people like you looking out for out future gardeners!

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    2. I've noticed the best garden TV shows come out of England where the tradition of gardening seems to be stronger and gardeners/designers can achieve celebrity status! I'm not entirely sure why... but it would make an interesting discussion. Btw Kris I like that you conduct your own garden tours for kids - great idea!

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  6. It is always inspiring to see what other people have done. Encourages me to up my game. Are you going to Denver? Really looking forward to your posts as a couple of my garden 'heros' are on the tour. Have fun.

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  7. maybe there's an analogy between garden touring and baseball :) It's one thing to collect and trade cards but it's completely different experience to watch a game, smell the hot dogs, hear the roar of the crowd, watch a double play, share the moment with friends... the act of gardening can be a solitary adventure, writing about gardening maybe even more so. Going on a garden tour puts you around kindred souls IN the garden, smelling the lavender, exploring a curving path, admiring a surprising focal point, and generally experiencing the garden as whole - not necessarily just plant by plant.

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