Monday, June 30, 2014

Garden Visit: The Getty Center


The third and final garden that I visited during my recent trip to California was the Central Garden at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Designed by artist Robert Irwin, the garden plays on the natural topography of the site. A path of switchbacks descends from the hill-top museum through a ravine, crisscrossing a conceptualized stream that pays homage to California's many canals. This "journey garden" (my term) is immediately engaging; the path is carved into the hillside bringing the plants up closer to the viewer. The craftsmanship of the sandstone paths and cor-ten steel walls is impeccable.

The path terminates at a plaza dominated by large, tree-like sculptures that serve as plant supports for brightly colored bougainvillea vines. The stream continues through the plaza before plunging down a  wall into a parterre filled pool. The pool itself is framed by paths and raised gardens that are both calming and intriguing to explore.



What did I like the most about this garden? Visitors from all over the world were engaged in moving through the garden, looking at the plants, oohing and aahing over the water features and enjoying the — spectacular! — vistas. (My daughter and I were sucked in, too. We only had 1 1/2 hours to visit the museum, and spent all but about 20 minutes outdoors.)

What didn't work? The planting design. With the exception of the excellent tree placement (and selections), the plant selection looked like an afterthought and did not contribute to a sense of place for the site. The plants were an odd hodgepodge of familiar (i.e. my zone 5 plant palette) and exotic. Mass plantings of single species were a more successful than cottage style plantings in complimenting the strong architectural features of the garden.


Would I return? Absolutely!


Monday, June 16, 2014

Conservatory Gardens at Castaic Lake

After my visit to the Santa Clarita Community Gardens, I headed over to the other side of Central Park to see the Conservatory Gardens and Learning Center at The Castaic Lake Water Agency. I have visited numerous xeriscape display gardens in Colorado's Front Range communities and was curious to see what this small, desert community had to offer.
this view greats you from the entry plaza; a classic California vista
Though not a true botanical garden — very few plants had identification labels — there is educational signage and welcoming pathways that lead you through both formal and informal gardens.

The emphasis is on water conservation, and the plantings are most heavily geared towards trees and shrubs. Native plants mingle with introduced favorites such as palms, cypress and especially, roses.
The palm trees, above, mark a cross-axis that follows a rill and then terminates with a grouping of cypress and a fountain, currently not running due to the drought.
The presence of water here would have been welcome on the hot day I visited, but I get it and applaud it; a good example being set for consumers during a prolonged drought.
A more informal path leading through fields of sage and gaura, 
A mass planting of Gaura with no explanation...?
up through terraces of roses and daylilies,
I was interested to see these retaining walls; adobe or rammed earth? Sadly, starting to deteriorate.
and finally back to the water agency offices and entry plaza.

It's a beautiful site for a garden and an asset to the community (as I was arriving, a school bus full of children who had been on a tour was just departing), but it looks like a victim of not only the drought, but a bad economy as well. More plant identification labels, some fresh designs with herbacious plants for infill, and more attention to general maintenance (pruning! fresh mulch!) would bring this garden up to its true potential.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Community Gardens — Santa Clarita Style

This stunning, flowering artichoke is very California! No?
I  recently took a whirlwind trip to Santa Clarita, California, and made a brief visit to their community gardens in Central Park. The one acre-plus garden area  features an attractive tool shed and a large, pergola shaded gathering space. Pathways were heavily mulched, and the entire space was neat, well tended and obviously appreciated by the member gardeners.
I was struck by two things: The garden area was open and welcoming to the public, but each plot (maybe 8'x12' in size) was enclosed in a knee-high fence of hardware cloth. A great idea to keep the bunnies at bay.

I was also impressed at the diversity of the gardens. Some were very utilitarian veggie production sites, but most of them showed individual character and featured both edibles and flowers.
hollyhocks already in full bloom
A fun take on "square foot" gardening.
And some plots looked like miniature backyard or patio gardens with paths, seating, and ornaments.

Three cheers for the gardeners of Santa Clarita for making the most of their community gardens.