My mother and I did several garden tours yesterday, ending it with a visit to the Western Hills Rare Plants Nursery. Here are a few images. It was my first visit, my Mom had been there years ago.
She was happy here, enjoying the wonderful gardens!
A beautiful rhododendron
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huge clump of Jerusalem Sage backed by a smoke bush
Quite a few smoke bushes were scattered around the property
a portion of the large pond
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This maple just glowed with the sun hitting the red leaves and blooms on it
Hercules Calla Lily in the foreground
A pretty combo
Need a couple of ID's, this was a large shrub with weeping branches with these lovely sprays of bloom.
This was in a shaded area, striking leaves, tiny blue flowers.
gorgeous leaves, anyone know what it is?
and a beautiful hot pink bottle brush, not red, very pretty
Last shot. Such an amazing variety of mature trees and shrubs, I just couldn't capture the rich textures and colors with the high sun washing it out, I just shot on auto-mode.
Your wonderful little tour brought tears. I used to live in Occidental and Coleman Valley Road to the coast is still my very most favorite awe-inspiring day trip. Used to mean a stop at the funky little organic bakery (boy the name is gone now, I can't believe it), then on to Western Hills to put a little magic into the trip. Do they grow the best rhodies up there or what? I don't know the answer to your question about the gorgeous-leafed one, but I'll be watching because I'd like to know too.
Lovely pics and tour Sue, thanks!
Your weeping bush is a Weigela, I have this one too, but haven't done the research yet to figure out which one it might be.
Oh thanks Candy, I'll do some research and see if I can pin it down.
Stella, love that Wild Flour Bread Bakery!! We stopped there, did some sampling and picked up a couple of loaves yesterday, munched on them on the way home.
http://www.wildflourbread.com/
I sure would love to live in that area.
Sue, you got me looking through the Press Democrat and Craigslist at rentals in Occidental! I have to move from this house somewhere between September (when the lease ends) and November (when the owners move in). When in Laguna Beach and searching for another place to live, somewhere away from the So Cal madness, Occidental was definitely a choice. I love it here but if the right situation came up I'd be up there in a heartbeat. I did a little research and found this article....wonder how bad of condition those 1970s houses are in at the nursery? LOL! My imagination definitely runs rampant but, hey, I also have a way of creating magic for myself, especially when it comes to finding wonderful spaces to live in. The bakery I was talking about was Land----something, it's coming back slowly, but it was a long time ago, early 80s. But Wild Flour sounds great too. Is Many Hands still there (a co-op selling local artists works)? I admit it was somewhat of a hardship when I lived there because I was always in survival mode. Work was too far away and not enough money. Things have changed up there (unfortunately money also brought way too many people and housing tracts) but also for me because I can work over the internet from home. If I can get broadband, I can take my job with me. Anyway, here's the article on the new owners..... http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/NEWS04/704140313
Yes, I remember reading that article when it was first posted. Both men where at the nursery yesterday doing brisk sales, the one in green was even wearing the same shirt.
Don't know about the artist co-op, we rarely go through that area, just drive through once in a while. I would love the Sebastopol and surrounding areas, still close enough to Santa Rose for big city needs.
Sebastopol was actually the last place I lived before moving to Laguna in 1986. I was so bummed by all the tract homes taking the place of the farms and ranches that I couldn't stand to watch it happen anymore. One of the reasons I chose Cambria is because it's no-growth. Laguna was way cool too when I moved there but now I have absolutely no desire to return.....much too crowded and "guccified." I'm thinking that Occidental is still far enough removed that folks can't easily commute to work so there's maybe a chance.
Beautiful photography Sue.
Glad that you and your Mom made it to Western Hills.
I have been visiting this garden for years with visits several times per year. ( Its less than an hours ride from my house )
There is always something wonderful either in bloom or in great foliage form to see.
Did you get a chance to make it to one of the other gardens opened called "Olive Oaks " ?
That is what I call a real designers garden. - pic below
How about Maile Arnolds garden, did you get a chance to walk thu it ?
Didn't make it to Olive Oaks, no time, I really wanted to makes sure to get enough time to really see Western Hills so didn't want to try to cram too much in.
We did get to Maile's garden, her and her husband were lovely, wonderful property and gardens, I was impressed how packed and wild she had, all organic. I'll post the pictures here.
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We also went to the Misty Ridge garden just around the corner from Western Hill. Quote from the description:
"The gardens of Misty Ridge are surrounded by redwoods, neighboring vineyards, and a distant ocean view. Barbara and Bob Costa bought their 1970s house in 2004 after selling their bed and breakfast in the Gold Country. They came from a historic house with a century-old garden to a very dark and foreboding house with minimal landscaping. They have spent the last three years redesigning their garden under the tutelage of designer Maile Arnold. The garden abounds with native trillium, fern, and iris, as well as hellebores, hydrangeas, roses, and foxgloves that confirm the Costa's love of cottage gardens in a coastal environment and is a new and fun experience for them."
Her new gardens are among the redwoods.
Lots of ferns and spring blooms
Also stopped at a little shop on Bodega Rd called Rose and Thorn, lots of little artsy nick nacks, nice place to have lunch and watch the resident chickens.
Hey Michelle, how about one of these in one of your designs?! LOL!
or this!
clucks
and their Hollywood names. Notice the hen house sign too
Lots of lovely roses at Vintage Gardens, I posted blooms and names on the Rose Forum
