Fling 2013 - The Wave Garden

It's time for another look at one of the gardens we visited during the San Francisco Fling last month. It's amazing to realize it was a month ago already, almost to the day, that we were there.

The Wave Garden is located across the Bay from downtown San Francisco in Richmond Point. The neighborhood is perched on a steep hillside which overlooks the city, the bay and several bridges...they are blessed with multi-million dollar views!


The most noticeable aspect of this garden (other than the location) is it's intense usage of molded concrete for the paths, walls and many decorative elements.


I'm not always the biggest fan of concrete...it often feels too heavy-handed when used in such quantities. Amazingly, this is not at all the case here. The complex, weaving layout of the paths and walls totally mitigate the impact all that concrete would otherwise have. The most you see is at the bottom, from above, it all but disappears.

The swooping, curving walls are visually arresting and break up the bulk of the structure...it's almost Escher-esque at times.


While succulents are a big part of the garden here, as in most of the gardens we visited...


...I was happy to see great use of grasses to soften the hard edges.


I love Anementhele...and the ones in San Francisco had the most intense coloring of any I've seen.


Flingers listened as the owner explained some of the history of the garden. Apparently, the owners purchased this land as an empty lot. They installed the hardscaping (which is totally wheelchair accessible) to enable their son, who is in a wheelchair, to be able to enjoy it as well. Amazingly, they allow the people in the neighborhood to use the space as well...how cool is that! I must say that all the gardeners we met during the fling were unfailingly generous in spirit...love them all!


There were quite a few nautical-themed sculptures throughout the garden.

Again, the curving, intersecting pathways made for a seemingly infinite amount of interesting views.


Love this shot of cool color on a HOT day!


The best part about touring with a group of fellow gardeners is hearing people exclaim with excitement over something!


Here, you have another piece of sculpture, reminiscent of a whale's tale, hearkening back to the ocean in the distance.

I love the mix of grasses and restios...similar textures, yet still so different.


I've never cared about Aeoniums...but the faded gray bloom stalk in the middle of these was fascinating.


More lovely Restios.

Again, more nice layering of plants...and people!


A large clump of Stipa gigantea anchored one corner of the garden...shimmering in the bright sun.

I love the pairing of deep purple Trachelium with whatever chartreuse foliage plant that is...I know someone told me what it was...but it went in one ear and out the other. In texture, it reminds me a lot of an Amsonia.


And here's part of our group, swarming about, cameras at the ready.


And here I leave you, in spite of being drenched in sweat, I greatly enjoyed this garden, especially it's great layering of colors and textures.