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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Feeling Crabby?


What sort of  monster is this that's menacing pier 39 in San Francisco?  Is it a sea creature that was exposed to radiation and has now emerged from the deep to wreak vengeance?  Result of climate change?  Alien invader from outer space?


A rolling stone gathers no moss.  What kind of crab gathers aeoniums?  This kind obviously.  Isn't it cool?   The people below don't seem too concerned that they'll be consumed by the beast.

He must be a vegetarian as it looks like he prefers to dine on those hanging baskets.  On the other hand, there is a speaker in the lower left.  Perhaps he simply came on to dry land to party.

A few hours later it looked as if he hadn't moved but do you see any more of those red pelargoniums?  That's one clever crab! 

So, if you garden in a costal region, beware of giant succulent-bodied flower-eating crabs.  And you thought that deer caused a lot of damage...  Is it the eve of destruction?   No silly, it's just new year's eve.  Here's to an even happier and less crabby 2014!

Monday, December 30, 2013

The Ruth Bancroft Garden Part Two; An Art Show

When, on the third day of the Garden Bloggers' Fling in San Francisco, we visited the Ruth Bancroft Garden, we got not only a  wonderful garden to explore but also an art show to admire in the blazing heat!    If you missed part one which focused on the marvelous plants, you can see it here.  

Living in the wet Pacific northwest, I'm accustomed to seeing garden art used as a structural foil to sometimes chaotic and lush foliage.  In the Bancroft garden, the plants themselves are so structural themselves that experiencing garden art in this setting was quite a different experience for those of us with webbed feet!

Before we start the show, here's a really cute idea from the shop.   These are made with small aluminum jello molds and the wire cork holders from champagne bottles.  Something to think about keeping after your New Year's Eve toast!


Here is a sampling of the work displayed for sale as a fundraiser for the garden.  I apologize that I don't have all of the artist's names/titles of the works displayed.  If you know any that are left out, please let me know.




- Monica Waldman

 - Monica Waldman
 - Monica Waldman
 - Monica Waldman
 

 One-eye Jack - Joe Bologna
 
 Sue Zuki - Joe Bologna
 
 Stretch - Philippe Lavand

Garden Totems - Liza Allen

-John King
 
- John King

Spheres - Linda Raynsford



- Mary Bayer

 
- Mary Bayer

Big Footed Flock - Mary Bayer
 
 

Bark - Clayton Thiel


Tree House - Clayton Thiel

Crescent Moon - Clayton Thiel

- Clayton Thiel

City Head - Clayton Thiel

 
 What Came First - Eileen Fitz-Faulkner


Peachy Keen  -  Eileen Fitz - Faulkner

Little Lizzy  - Eileen Fitz - Faulkner

Torso  - Christopher Kanyusik

Segmented Bust - Christopher Kanyusik

Standing Figures (Legs)   -  Christopher Kanyusik

Standing Figures (Cop/Robber)   -  Christopher Kanyusik

Exotic Hybrid Chantrelle Bamboo  -  Marcia Donahue

Sister Age in her Fall Outfit  -  Marcia Donahue

Shell Dweller  -  Natasha Dikareva


The Two  -  Natasha Dikareva


Moving Forward - How Horrifying!  -  Natasha Dikareva



Mini 4-Legged Cat - Leslie Safarik


Le Sacre du Printemps - Susannah Israel
 
 - Leslie Safarik

- Leslie Safarik
 
 Pandora - Harry Siter
 
 Ready for the Rain - Lucy Beazley

Tipsy - Laura van Duren

- Laura van Duren

-Steve Cook
-Steve Cook

 Expired - Steve Cook
 
Did you see any pieces that you think would work well in your garden?