In The Garden With Sean & James of Organic Mechanics

How wonderful to find another garden gem tucked away in the middle of San Francisco, just a few blocks from Union Square. Bordered on the north and east sides by tall buildings, but open to the sunny southwest, it is a lovely spot that was just waiting for some talented hands to bring it to life. And that's exactly what Sean Stout and James Pettigrew of Organic Mechanics Landscaping have done over the past ten years.

Isn't this amazing? A 3-story 'Owl Cigar 5c' sign watches over the garden, which is the length of two buildings and the depth of one. Three ancient Victorian Box (Pittosporum undulatum) have grown into large, twisting trees that shelter most of the space and fill the air with orange-blossom fragrance in early spring.

The 'sunny side' of the garden, punctuated by paths and fun sitting spots is filled to bursting with favorite sun-loving plants. Such a sheltered sunny corner, protected from the wind, is much appreciated in a cool-summer city like San Francisco. The 80-degree temps on the day I visited were unusual; what a great spot to spend the first day of summer!

At ground level looking up at the Owl Cigar wall and the Pittosporum canopy. Once upon a time this was a concrete jungle, completely utilitarian.

An antique votive stand flanked by potted conifers welcomes visitors as they enter the garden from a small side entrance.

A curving bed opposite has newer plantings; a real mixed bag of conifers, shrubs, grasses, perennials and succulents. Beautiful.

The shady beds around the massive Pittosporum trunks are more mature, with a delicious mix of begonias, golden oxalis, fuchsias and other delights.

Now, isn't this a lovely place for a party? The new patio of simple colored concrete connects everything with easy curves. It's easy to clean, and good for a shared common area.

The attentions of a skilled arborist helped create this incredible high canopy that dominates the view from most of the apartments in their building. It is an incredible asset to this space, and one of those little reminders about How Big Things Get!

So many hand-crafted details, like this corner which was perfect for jamming musicians. I love the way they use mixed salvage for their hardscape, and how the plants have blended them.

What goes best with a garage wall? Classical statuary and tropical foliage? You bet!

The old concrete patio was broken up and used to make raised beds around a sunken meditation garden in the shadiest part of the garden.

A charming Kwan Yin...

A large lava rock is slowly being engulfed by a tapestry of needlepoint ivies, next to an unusual dwarf redbud.

One of my personal favorites, Begonia fuschioides grows lush here...

Another charming corner with an antique cabinet, potted succulents and a graceful Norfolk Island Pine in a bed edged with a collection of salvaged bricks.

Nearby a classical bust with an awesome patina hangs out with Yucca and Crassula.

A young Silk Floss Tree (Chorisia speciosa) shows its characteristic trunk spines in an Asian pot on the "sunny side.'

I was impressed by this beautiful specimen of Red Velvet Sage (Salvia confertiflora) and it was pretty funny that among all the hortirati at this party no one could remember its name!

Gorgeous, yes?

Against the sunny south-facing wall a wonderful collection of succulents and cacti in pots. Love the chunky little column!

Another artful corner just goes to show you that succulents are at home just about everywhere!

This tall euphorbia caught my eye...

As did this lovely Leucospermum...

But one of my favorite things in the garden were these incredible salvaged material paths, made from a little bit of everything! Beautifully executed, and so nicely enhanced by the plants.

Here's the other half of the path shown above; a simple half-circle through a planting bed; a great place to park a bike!

One last path; this also shows how the new concrete ties the different elements of the garden together. Big thanks to Sean and James for inviting me to their home and garden; there was so much to see, this just scratches the surface, thanks for joining me!

A Collector's Garden in San Francisco

Many of you may know Kay Hamilton Estey as the producer of the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. What you may NOT know is that she is a marvelous gardener and avid plant collector. I took advantage of a planning meeting yesterday to visit her small urban garden for the first time, and this is what I saw.

Kay has lived here for more than 20 years. Her garden began as slanted sea of concrete that almost filled the triangular space; needless to say, not a very hospitable place for a garden. She worked with a designer to create the bones of the meandering space you see today, tucked into her hilly Glen Park neighborhood.

I spend so much time in 'new' gardens (including my own) that I really appreciate one that has grown into maturity under a knowledgeable hand. Tucked into the corner between her house and her neighbor is this lush bed of Phormium, Leucadendron, Euphorbia, Alstroemeria and Hakonechloa, planted between a mature Purple Hopseed (Dodonea viscosa purpurea) and a Lady Banks Rose (Rosa Banksia) against the wall. I love her theme of varied greens punctuated by reds and dark pinks.

Wood and stone steps curve down to a small upper patio. The flowering cherry (Prunus yedoensis) perfectly placed near the center of the garden (NOT tucked in a border near the fence) is an anchor around which the garden swirls. I particularly appreciated the placement of the up-ended brown pot as a strong but low-key focal point.

Since the garden is also viewed from above, both from Kay's house and her neighbor's, the wide-spreading cherry provides both privacy and the ideal spot for a quiet, shady garden. Geranium cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is a wonderful groundcover; here it provides a restful sweep of green that keeps the center of the garden open. Who needs a lawn?

The stone path continues to wander down the garden; you really can't tell how far it goes. It was designed well; wide enough to allow for plenty of plant spill without restricting access. The different textures and shades of green guide you along.

This was a particularly charming corner: Aeonium, Dicentra, Iris, Heuchera, Euphorbia and assorted grasses and sedges blend beautifully as the path steps down to...

...surprise! This is as far you go! I was not kidding that Kay's garden is triangular; she is considering a cozy chair in this spot, maybe blue...

Moving back up to the upper terrace, which gets a little more sun and hosts an amazing variety of plants. I loved this Abutilon 'Sunset' which Kay has had for many years. The purple Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' is an aggressive resident that tends to overstep its bounds; you'll see it lurking in most of my remaining pictures.

A closeup of 'Sunset.' Oh, by the way, did I mention it was raining?

Another nice vignette: a charming Fuchsia flanked by larger-leafed Cestrum 'Newellii.' This must be a popular spot for hummingbirds!

Kay introduced me to Ixia, a South African bulb I've not grown; nice to meet you!

Another striking Abutilon; in this climate they bloom nearly year-round.

Looking back up the steps toward the house. Kay described her garden as 'rather overgrown' but I didn't see neglect, I saw harmony (except, perhaps, for that Persicaria, who is intent on engulfing that chair!)

A closer look at the blue pot at the top of the steps. I love the combination of Aeonium, Senecio mandraliscae, and Hakonechloa macra aureola, which glows in the partial shade.

Holy Giant Asparagus, Batman! Actually, it's a mature Agave parryi that is getting ready to bloom...and die. Sorry Persicaria, you'll need to find someone else to climb on!

Clematis 'Niobe' is a reliable performer in Kay's garden (and so presumably can hold its own against encroaching Persicaria!)

There are lots of reseeders in Kay's garden, including Centranthus ruber and Euphorbia characias 'Wulfenii.' Lurking Persicaria doesn't frighten them one bit!

A beautiful foliage combination centered around Pelargonium 'Vancouver Centennial.'

And one last combination; soft blue Borage and the luminous new growth of Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria).

And in case you forget this garden is in the middle of a big city, here's the view from the back stairs, looking towards India Basin and Hunter's Point on the San Francisco Bay. Thanks for joining me on this garden visit, and thanks to Kay for the tour!