The Living Roof

If you have not seen it yet, a must see on your next trip to San Francisco is the new California Academy of Sciences, of which The Living Roof is a highlight for any gardener. The Living Roof is exactly that - the entire undulating roof of the Renzo Piano building is covered by a massive carpet of California natives. Evidently about 30 native species were tested for their hardiness to Golden Gate Park's Zone 17 climate, and 9 finalists were selected - 4 perennials and 5 annuals. The Living Roof relies solely on rainfall and fog for water. The perennials include Sedum, a native Armeria or Sea Thrift, a native strawberry and prunella vulgaris which appears to dominate. California Poppy, Goldfield and a native Lupine are among the annuals that grow on the roof. There is the occasional odd ball "alien" species, carried in by birds.

If the same Living Roof were to be developed on top of some structure here in Zone 23, I'm curious how the 9 finalists might differ from those thriving in Golden Gate Park?

Another interesting plant I saw in Golden Gate Park was a simply massive Mexican Bush Sage (s. leucantha) that was at least 8 - 10 feet tall.

June Gloom Happenings

June Gloom as its called in coastal Southern California is in full effect, with daytime temps below 70 and persistent marine-influenced cloud cover.  The garden has slowed down a bit because of the weather, but there's a few things of note. The first tomatoes are ripening, including Sungold, a prolific cherry-sized that is perfect for salads.  The popular new Australian native ptilotus, or "Wallaby Tail" sure looks nice intermingling with the yellow blooms of Santolina.  The "formal" rose garden is in between major bloom cycles, but still looks pretty nice.  My "tomato and basil"garden is just behind the rose garden, enclosed by a boxwood hedge.  Finally, the Rose "Guy De Maupassant" is in great form right now.

Miniature Gardening

I'm developing a new "area of interest" relative to gardening - "Miniature Gardening!"  The excellent M&M Nursery in Orange CA has built a pretty nice business it seems specializing in plants and decorations for what they call "fairy gardens."  These fairy gardens are mini landscapes created in pots, saucers and larger containers and planters that are complete with tiny trees, hedges, pathways, arbors, fountains and even "fairy" figures (think "Tinkerbelle")  I've always admired these demonstration gardens at M&M, and I've always badgered my family jokingly that the "Storybook Land Boats" is my favorite ride at Disneyland because of the mini gardens.

So I finally decided to create one of these mini landscapes, and I'm quite pleased with the results.  As you can see my first effort has a Japanese quality to it, what with the bonsai evergreen.  And yes, that is indeed a micro-sized koi pond no larger than three inches in length!  

Since my younger son seems to likes these mini gardens as well, I can see how this might turn into an expensive little pastime as we start creating more elaborate landscapes over the summer.