The Ann Nichols Garden

On the third and final day of the garden bloggers' fling, we visited some amazing places.  We started the morning at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, a zeric paradise showcasing the result of 40 years of passionate collecting of cacti and succulents.   Next came the Dudan Garden with great living spaces and awesome views enhanced by the garden which absolutely fit the space to a T.  We're now on our third garden which couldn't be more different from the other two gardens if it tried.  You may notice some of the same plants in these gardens which illustrates how differently each artist utilizes a similar palette.  I loved all of the gardens on the fling but this one was extra special for a variety of reasons that Hoover Boo explains beautifully here. 

 

One of the things that has resonated with me is that this was a smallish garden, only a little larger than my own but it was packed with interest.  Great plants extremely well grown,  wonderful garden art well displayed, and touches of whimsy.   I was so excited that I started to take pictures as the bus pulled up in front of the garden.  The two first shots are not the best because they're taken through the tinted glass of the bus.  We weren't aware yet whether this was our destination or simply an exceptional garden on the way so  I snapped away.

Do you think that folks who live here get used to the sight of these palms and don't constantly look up and worship their beauty?  

The Nichols Garden has something to please both the plant-obsessed collector and the controlled designer.

Aloe polyphylla grown to perfection. I have one but it's a pile of mush.

The play of color and form in this garden is delightful!

Almost feels like an announcer should begin speaking about the undersea environment of the coral reef.

Everyone should have a palm trunk planted with tillandsias!

My recent bromeliad purchases were inspired by walking through this garden.  Well, that and a 30% off sale.

 Begonias are well represented in this garden as you may notice later on in the post.

A creative and beautiful way to protect one's koi from predators.

Fun mosaic work in the pavers around one of the ponds.

Two more begonias with which I fell in love.

Does anyone have an idea about the name of this begonia?  Notice the large caudex on the Agepetes on the right.

Little and Lewis?

Door to the garden shed with a trompe-l'œil painting to resemble the actual gate to the right.

I'd love to have this view from my kitchen windows!  Notice in the foreground the treats that Ann had waiting for us. 

 Looking back down the side yard slope garden/series of ponds. 

Here are  Ann's garden helper and Ann.  Such a kind and gracious host.  Thank you so much Ann and all of the gardeners who opened their private gardens to us!

 

Only two more San Francisco Fling entries left.   I hope that you will come to the Portland Fling this summer; you'll have a fabulous time!