How to Begin a Fling in Middle Age

O.K. already, I'm pushing the truth a little with the middle age thing.  How many 104 year old men do you know?   Recently,  a group of about 70 garden bloggers from around the world met in San Francisco for an annual event known as the Garden Bloggers Fling.  Having only blogged for a year, this was my first fling and it was fabulous.  I'll be posting about the great gardens and nurseries we visited for quite a while.  Maybe I'll keep some treasures for winter when it's cold and we can all use a nice memory of 90 degree days.

 

For those arriving early enough, a cocktail party was held at the home and garden of artist,  landscape designer, and fabulous host, Shirley Watts and her husband Emmanuel Coup the night before the event started in earnest. There are some great pictures of this party that capture the spirit of the evening here.   Also at the aforementioned link, there is an image of this "fireplace" illuminated from behind as the natural light diminished - gorgeous.

 

Shirley's work fascinated me and the entire interior of the home was beautifully done and treasure filled!

This verbascum with wavy leaves  and gold  cast to it's leaf hairs (V. undulatum aureo-hirsutum?) in the front garden was pretty special!

 

There are created and found treasures throughout this marvelous garden.

At least three but maybe more of these frosted glass or plastic (didn't try to lift it) heads of broccoli were to be found in the back garden.  I love how they seem to glow from within!

Ceramic flowers  in a mixed container.

You'll see lots of images of this patio on the blogs of fling attendees as it was quite popular.  Notice the podophyllum in a pot in the upper left of this picture!

Cool path paving idea!

Having just fallen off the turnip truck in horticultural paradise, I decided to check out  some of the plants at other gardens along the street.  Bougainvillea and brugmansia are both hardy in the ground in the bay area  - swoon.  

And doesn't everyone have a tree fern nearly as tall as their house?  I've already decided that it may be time to move.

Simply gorgeous!

 

Meanwhile, back at Shirley's place...  

New addition to the back of the house facing the rear garden.

Fifa is very sweet to share her space with us!

Clever screen idea.  Love the use of mussel shells but I'll bet that other collections might work in this sort of application.  Although it would be dense, broken glass would be interesting. 

 

Light plays a huge role in this garden.  As the sun got lower in the sky, the huge billboard like panels glowed from behind and lamps placed throughout the garden began to share their light. 

This plant was a big hit!  Leaves like an angelica & flowers somewhat resembling a hellebore.  Shirley shared the name but I forgot it.  Fortunately, I remembered to bring a writing utensil (Thank you Westin Hotel)  to all future garden visits.

Many stunning details!

The designer/gardener/creative force herself.

 

This was my first garden fling and I wasn't sure what to expect but the friendliness of  so many plant minded gardeners at this opening soiree made me happy to have attended.  Stay tuned for more from sunny California!  Many thanks to the sponsors of the fling who contributed products and whose financial support kept costs down for attendees.