California Dreaming

This rainy spring weather here in Portland is making me wish I were someplace warm and dry. Last September I visited my family in the Bay Area and got to see the Botanical Gardens at UC Berkley and some cool gardens at a place up in the wine country. I am not sure that many of these plants I took pictures of at the Botanical Gardens would survive up here. I am sure I would see a lot of them around the city if they did, they are so cool.

Love the combination of textures.

Cool spiraling aloe.

 

Not sure what this is... should have paid more attention to the nametags.

Tree ferns from New Zealand.

Reminds me of a Hebe.

Great flaking bark on this tree.

So cute- hedgehog aloe.

Nicely planted wagon of succulents I saw on the street in Berkley.

Olive trees and lavender in a raised bed of natural stone. Classic wine country.

Lovely border with white roses, purple catmint and russian sage. 

Nepeta. The bees love it.

Garden display using agave and grasses- works really well.

Another shot of this nice garden. Love the idea.