Public Gardens

Wake your Winter Garden – Inspiration from the Washington Park Arboretum

by Rebecca Sweet
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There’s something magical about a winter garden, and I never pass up an opportunity to visit one – especially one that’s known for looking it’s best during the bleakest months of the year.  While attending a family wedding in Seattle this past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the J. Witt Winter Garden in [...]

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A White Cloud on Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Sweet
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Earlier this week I wrote about my visit to Cornerstone Gardens and showed you the Red Lantern garden created by the amazing duo Andy Cao and Xavier Perrot. Today I wanted to introduce you to their other installation titled ‘White Cloud’.  You would be correct in saying I’ve found my new favorite contemporary artists.

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Cornerstone Garden Grasses

by Rebecca Sweet
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Sonoma’s Cornerstone Gardens is one of my very favorite public gardens to visit any time of year.  In my opinion, though, the fall is the best time of all. Not only are the summer crowds long gone but the colors of fall are just beginning to explode.  No longer filled with grapes, the surrounding vineyards [...]

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Garden Designers Roundtable: Sculpture in the Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
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As a landscape designer and garden writer I see lots and lots of gardens. And while I’m a huge fan of personalizing your garden with whatever art captures your heart, lately I seem to be drawn to selectively placed, oversized sculptures. I think this is because my own life is so hectic right now, and [...]

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Pasadena’s Arlington Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
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While driving around Pasadena early the other morning, I had a few hours to spare before the Huntington Gardens opened. Imagine my surprise when, while looking for a coffee shop, I accidentally stumbled upon this treasure!  Tucked away in the middle of a residential neighborhood is one of the most exciting public gardens I think [...]

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The Oregon Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
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A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of speaking at The Oregon Garden, located in the stunning Willamette Valley town of Silverton. I am so fortunate that I had booked an extra day for this trip as I was completely unaware of the sheer magnitude of this impressive garden. More than just a beautiful [...]

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Succulent heaven at Sherman Gardens

by Rebecca Sweet
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I can look at succulents all day long.  I never grow tired of their colors, shapes and forms and the infinite number of ways that creative gardeners use them in their gardens. A few months ago, while rushing to get to the airport, my friend insisted we stop at Corona del Mar’s Sherman Library and Gardens, [...]

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Wordless Wednesday – Succulent People

by Rebecca Sweet
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Having spent a delightful morning touring the San Diego Botanical Garden last week, I must admit I was most smitten by these life-size topiaries.  Pat Hammer, Director of Operations of the Botanical Garden, created these incredible works of art, going so far as making clay masks of some of the members of the garden and [...]

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The Chairs of Innisfree Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
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While in Connecticut last week, visiting great gardens and great friends, I fell in love with the different chairs artfully arranged at Innisfree Garden.  Innisfree is a 150-acre public garden inspired by ancient Chinese design, and one of the most peaceful public spaces I’ve ever seen. If you’re like us here in California, sweltering away this [...]

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Cornerstone Gardens – Better Late than Never

by Rebecca Sweet
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The inaugural Late Show Gardens at Cornerstone in Sonoma…an awesome event…

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