READER PHOTOS! Roger & Mary’s garden in California
Today’s photos are from Roger and Mary Greenberg in Marin County, California. Roger says, “We started this garden from scratch 18 years ago, slowly amending the clay soil and planting drifts of ornamental grasses, lavender, and succulents. Other specimens were collected from our travels.
We are located on a south facing hillside and used large boulders to stabilize the soil during the winter rains. The plantings were paired for color and texture and to give year round interest. The garden is frequented often by deer, raccoons, butterflies, hummingbirds and an occasional coyote.”
Wow, Roger. You guys have created a gorgeous garden! I especially love the drifts of grasses in the first photo. Thanks for sharing!
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Roger and Mary, your have created a mesmerizing garden. I found myself lingering over each photo to enjoy all the intriguing and sometimes subtle details. Love the cast upon the ground statuary head in the picture featuring the succulents and Yucca rostrata. The swath of grasses and lavender in the first photo is intoxicating...my cup runneth over from the beauty of your efforts.
What is the luminous light colored tree in the final picture? I had initially assumed it was a dogwood in bloom but since your identification comments did not mention that, I'm now wondering. Is it a type variegated Japanese maple? And, by the way, do Dogwoods even grow in your part of CA?
I just returned from a visit to northern CA and it hit 111 degrees while I was there. I love seeing what obviously thrives in climates so diverse from my midwestern world. I also am intrigued by the color contrasts Roger and Mary have created in a predominantly golden state.
Fantastic stonework with a very broad array of unique and mature plantings, very professionally configured and maintained... my immediate impression is that it was started 18 years ago by writing a massive boulder sized check to a major landscaping company.
Wonderful, what a lovely, eclectic mix of planting and artwork. I love the big rocks and the steps down to the door. It's obvious that your garden is a true labour of love!
Thanks to all for your nice comments...to answer your questions: Yes, Dogwoods can thrive in Marin County....we have a Cornus "Cherokee" and a Cornus Convolusa varigata that are doing well. The white flowered tree in the final pic is a Viburnum plicatum 'Tomentosum'-Doublefile (it has larger flowers positioned horizontally) Yes, we share our garden with groups from The Garden Conservancy, Pacific Horticulture,etc....and would be happy to give a private tour for anyone interested.The garden has slowly evolved over the years and continues to change. Mary and I do all the plant selection, garden maintenance and we love it.
Your garden is lovely!!! I like the colors and textures and the hillsides. I cannot believe you have a Sango Kaku Japanese maple. I just bought one today for my son's home. I'm in the process of redoing their front landscaping. The nursery told me it would grow to 10 or 15 feet. When I got home and looked it up on the internet, it said 25 feet! That won't work. How old is yours and how tall is it? I heard that Sango Kaku means coral bark, and it sure looks beautiful in your picture. Thanks.
To Plant Lady 55: Our Sango-Kaku tree is about 6 yrs. old and almost 14' high...you could prune yours to desired height. The tree is deciduous and the bark turns a gorgeous coral red in winter...making it a focal point in the garden for months.
This is a beautiful garden tended by some truly wonderful gardeners.
I live just up the road and have visited this garden at different times of the year during the various Open Garden Tour dates.
The owners do not know me from Adam but have always been gracious in sharing their garden with other like minded gardeners.
I love driving by their hillside garden , it it such a joy .
Comments
Roger and Mary, your have created a mesmerizing garden. I found myself lingering over each photo to enjoy all the intriguing and sometimes subtle details. Love the cast upon the ground statuary head in the picture featuring the succulents and Yucca rostrata. The swath of grasses and lavender in the first photo is intoxicating...my cup runneth over from the beauty of your efforts.
What is the luminous light colored tree in the final picture? I had initially assumed it was a dogwood in bloom but since your identification comments did not mention that, I'm now wondering. Is it a type variegated Japanese maple? And, by the way, do Dogwoods even grow in your part of CA?
stunning! great plant palette and cool stones, door, and art. thanks for sharing.
What a great garden! It's so artistically laid out, and with such a beautiful plant palate. I also love the door.
Thanks for sharing.
I just returned from a visit to northern CA and it hit 111 degrees while I was there. I love seeing what obviously thrives in climates so diverse from my midwestern world. I also am intrigued by the color contrasts Roger and Mary have created in a predominantly golden state.
Fantastic stonework with a very broad array of unique and mature plantings, very professionally configured and maintained... my immediate impression is that it was started 18 years ago by writing a massive boulder sized check to a major landscaping company.
Your Front Driveway planting is so beautiful - well balanced and perfect for summer's end.
Great job, Roger & Mary! Thank you for sharing!!
Love that agave!
More more! Do you do tours? Wonderful pairings, delightful art and symmetry of plants and boulders.
Wonderful, what a lovely, eclectic mix of planting and artwork. I love the big rocks and the steps down to the door. It's obvious that your garden is a true labour of love!
Thanks to all for your nice comments...to answer your questions: Yes, Dogwoods can thrive in Marin County....we have a Cornus "Cherokee" and a Cornus Convolusa varigata that are doing well. The white flowered tree in the final pic is a Viburnum plicatum 'Tomentosum'-Doublefile (it has larger flowers positioned horizontally) Yes, we share our garden with groups from The Garden Conservancy, Pacific Horticulture,etc....and would be happy to give a private tour for anyone interested.The garden has slowly evolved over the years and continues to change. Mary and I do all the plant selection, garden maintenance and we love it.
Stunning. Exceptional . I especially love the ornamental grass border.
Your garden is lovely!!! I like the colors and textures and the hillsides. I cannot believe you have a Sango Kaku Japanese maple. I just bought one today for my son's home. I'm in the process of redoing their front landscaping. The nursery told me it would grow to 10 or 15 feet. When I got home and looked it up on the internet, it said 25 feet! That won't work. How old is yours and how tall is it? I heard that Sango Kaku means coral bark, and it sure looks beautiful in your picture. Thanks.
Your gardens are truly a work of art. I am in awe of your vision. Thank you for the inspiration.
To Plant Lady 55: Our Sango-Kaku tree is about 6 yrs. old and almost 14' high...you could prune yours to desired height. The tree is deciduous and the bark turns a gorgeous coral red in winter...making it a focal point in the garden for months.
AND your lovely garden is placed on quite a steep hillside - kudos!
The grasses are GORGEOUS
This is a beautiful garden tended by some truly wonderful gardeners.
I live just up the road and have visited this garden at different times of the year during the various Open Garden Tour dates.
The owners do not know me from Adam but have always been gracious in sharing their garden with other like minded gardeners.
I love driving by their hillside garden , it it such a joy .
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