North West State of Mind

On a recent trip to Seattle I felt inspired (and incredibly small) amidst towering Redwood, Cedar and Fir trees throughout the city.  

Despite the grey I found some bright spots.

Coral Bark Maples in Madison Park

A local Madison Park nursery eagerly awaits spring by show casing blooming bulbs and this very cool Edwarthia.

A lone Pine bonsai at the entrance of the Japanese Garden located in the Arboretum.

Things that make you go HMM...

Interesting and captivating garden design encompasses more than just flower bloom and color.  It also incorporates texture, natural lighting and a little bit of whimsy to make the most of what each plant has to offer.

Cotinus 'Grace' Variegated Caprosma, Salvia chiapensis and Chocolate Geranium.

A whimiscal path connects two flagstone patios.
 

Amazing texture provided by a mature Fan Palm.  The focal point in a current garden renovation.

Silver rosettes contrast with slender green Crassula ovata

Bulbine frutescens pops when paired with this glowing chartreuse geranium.

Interesting blooms are always welcome.

Dear Spring

Contrasting colors of grass & shrub foliage are the harbingers of spring.

This poem by Charles Simic posted in the New York Times Style Magazine reminds me of why I love winter in the Bay Area.

Will you please hurry with your preparations?

We are freezing up north as you procrastinate

Like a rich lady with too many gorgeous outfits

To choose from, spending hours in front of

A mirror, trying them on and unable to decide,

While we trudge to the mailbox through wind

And snow, extract our unwilling fingers

From a glove to check if there's a letter

From you, or just a bitty postcard, saying:

I'm leaving Carolina today, hurrying your way

With my new wardrobe of flowers and birds.

The tease!  I bet she starts and forgets one of her

Hand-painted silk fans and has to go back,

While we stamp our feet and wipe our noses here,

Worrying the wood for the stove is running out,

The snow on the roof will bring the house down.

New leaves emerge on a Lace Leaf Japanese Maple

Poppy!

Check out this beautiful poppy.