Friday, July 5, 2013

Garden Bloggers Fling 2013

SFBG poppies and rocks h
Well, we're back! It was an amazing (and exhausting) few days in San Francisco! I've been sorting through my photos for the last few days, but there are so many (over 4,000) that I realized I should just post this teaser first...and follow up with individual posts as I sort through them.

While the weather in downtown SF was beautiful, it was scorchingly hot in the outlying areas (where most of the gardens were). As a result, I probably took far fewer photos than I normally would...sweat dripping into your eyes can do that ;-)

Matt Gil Sculpture steps
There were gardens that made the most out of less-than-ideal locations...

Dudan Garden Kangaroo paw
Gardens that embraced their sites gracefully...

Keela Meadows Overview
Gardens that were fearless in their use of color and texture...

filoli pleached trees
Gardens that were exercises in restraint and formality...

Annies Annuals crowd
There were chances to SHOP!!!

Organic Mechanic Parrot h
Some of the gardens had mascots...

Ruth Bancroft agave trio 2
Some were other-worldly...

Rebecca Sweet studio outside
Sometime they offered spots of quiet repose...

Flora Grubb Lounge
...although I doubt I'd be able to get out of these without rolling out of them!

Wave Garden Peeps
Bloggers got a chance to see plants totally alien to them...

Nichols Garden Grate
...and we saw ingenious (and often beautiful) solutions to common problems.

Testa-Vought pool
After a scorching day touring, many fellow bloggers took the opportunity to soak their weary feet in this pool.

Sunset Amistad clump
The Sunset trial garden had a few plants I definitely drooled over (like this massive Salvia 'Amistad')!

Conservatory building dusk
And at the end of the day, it was an amazing chance to meet lots of fellow bloggers and get to tour some fabulous gardens.

This was just a taste of what we saw, much more awaits you in upcoming posts. Oh, and if you hadn't heard, next year's Fling is right here in Portland!!!


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58 comments:

  1. AlanJuly 5, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Great teaser! Can't wait to see the posts rolling out! Love that first photo!

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      You won't have to wait long...just posted the first one today!

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  2. HannahJuly 5, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    I recognized one, the Sunset trial garden. Consider me enticed for the rest of your photos, I guess you can make them last a long time.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      Hahahaha...yes, we visited a lot of gardens...good for several week's worth of posts!

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  3. AlisonJuly 5, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    Great teaser post! I took a lot fewer photos than I normally would have because of the heat and the sun, which bleached out so many, I eventually pretty much gave up. Looking forward to more of your posts.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:16 AM

      It was pretty brutal, wasn't it, Alison...I was good at the beginning, but started to taper off at certain points!

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  4. flowersandhomeJuly 5, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    Can't wait to see more! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. ryanJuly 5, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Nice photos as always. I really like the first one and that cover over the pond in the Nichols garden. I'm thinking I might go to the Portland Fling. I ended up feeling like I missed out by not going to the whole bay Area one.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:17 AM

      I really hope you can make it to the Portland Fling, Ryan...this one was such great fun...and I think you'd enjoy Portland :-)

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  6. Mark and GazJuly 5, 2013 at 2:15 PM

    What a lovely teaser Scott, looking forward to your future posts about the Fling and the invidious gardens you guys visited.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Glad you like this promo...I'm sorting through the photos now and will be posting updates every few days (at least once a week)!

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  7. DeniseJuly 5, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    So much fun sharing a gelato with you at Filoli on that incredibly hot day!

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Hahaha...it was fun! Thank you again for treating me to something icy and delicious...so good to finally meet you!

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  8. Rock rose July 5, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Just the teaser was enough for me. Glorious gardens in glorious weather.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:29 AM

      Hahaha...just wait for the actual posts...there are some great gardens!

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  9. Janet, The Queen of SeafordJuly 5, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Love seeing the Fling through your eyes, your photos are always incredible. Nice overview. Still mentally sorting out how I am going to present my take on a remarkable Fling.

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  10. JasonJuly 5, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    Oh, I knew what that plant was, I just wanted to make sure you knew what it was.

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  11. ShirleyJuly 5, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    How I'd love to attend next year, especially because it's in Portland!! I loved seeing these garden highlights and look forward to more from you soon!

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM

      I really hope you can attend the Portland Fling, Shirley...it will be great!

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  12. SueJuly 6, 2013 at 12:37 AM

    4,000 pictures? LOL-I think, given the circumstances, you showed amazing restraint. I always look forward to these "tours"-it's even worth the 10 minute wait it takes my lousy internet to load . Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!!
    :)

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  13. The Redneck RosarianJuly 6, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Wow! Great photos. Would love to attend sometime....

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM

      I hope you can make it to the Portland Fling...it will be tons of fun!

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  14. Michael - Plano Prairie GardenJuly 6, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    Looks like a fun time. I can't wait to see more of your photos. I may have to consider going next year.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:31 AM

      You definitely need to consider coming to the Portland Fling, Michael...it will be great!

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  15. HeatherJuly 6, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    My mom has Amistad and it's beautiful. It's only available at Orchard Supply Hardware. Want to take a road trip to the west side? I'm so excited to see the rest of your photos, especially Ruth Bancroft!

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  16. HelenJuly 6, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    Great shots, Scott. I don't know how you achieved them in that glaring light. It was a real pleasure to meet, and I hope we make it to Portland.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:32 AM

      Thanks, Helen...the lighting was really tricky, wasn't it...so harsh! Yes, I hope you can make it to Portland (and that I can make it to Toronto the following year)!

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  17. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogJuly 6, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Can't wait for Portland! My photos are pretty bleached out but hopefully I'll get to them soon and do a post or two. It was great to finally meet you Scott!

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    1. Plant PropagandaJuly 7, 2013 at 6:22 PM

      Jean, so strange - I asked Scott what camera he used because mine were also ALL bleached out! Obviously it has a lot to do with the photographer and not the camera, but I've never seen so many photos in so many different light conditions be so overexposed. Saxon Holt, help us!

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    2. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:34 AM

      I can't wait either (well, since I have to plan it...yes I can)! So good to meet you too, Jean & Delen! These were some of the worst conditions for taking photos I've ever experienced...VERY tricky! I usually shoot on manual...which is a lot of work, since you constantly have to adjust...but it keeps you always mindful of the light.

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  18. rickiJuly 6, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    OK, mission accomplished: I am thoroughly teased.

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  19. AlysonJuly 6, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    Can you say which gardens you visited? I'm going down to Bay Area mid-August to see family and want to take in some gardens there. I really like the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek - all cacti and succulents. Amazing place! I usually go to the U C Berkeley Botanic Gardens too. Hope to get to the Sunset Trial Gardens this time.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:34 AM

      Absolutely...here's a list of them all...I hope you see lots!
      http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html

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  20. GailJuly 6, 2013 at 2:38 PM

    Loving this teaser post Scott and really looking forward to next year's Fling in Portland.

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  21. outlawgardenerJuly 7, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    Funny, I had the same thought about trying to get out of one of those stylish chairs at Flora Grubb! Great teaser post!

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  22. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewJuly 7, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Wow you must be exhausted....fab gardens and so sad I had to miss it...looking forward to Portland.. perhaps I will make that one.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:36 AM

      I was exhausted...so very exhausted...but it was fun. Yes...I hope you can make it to Portland next year!!!

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  23. LindaCTGJuly 7, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    Oh, what a beautiful summary! And what fabulous pictures, too. You should teach a class next year. And really wonderful to meet you at last.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:37 AM

      It was fabulous to meet you, Linda! I don't know if I'm qualified to teach a class...maybe a "refresher" course ;-)

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  24. Heather/xericstyleJuly 8, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    AMAZING! I can't wait to see more Scott :) I hope to meet you next year - we have friends in Portland so the hubby and I need to make it a priority.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:38 AM

      OMG...you must come, Heather...would love to have you visit our fair city and finally get to meet!

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  25. Hoover BooJuly 9, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    I was looking forward to seeing your photos, and they do not disappoint (except the one I am in, ha! ha!). Looking forward to more of that 4,000.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:38 AM

      Haha...so good to finally meet you at the Fling...it was kind of amazing and exhausting at the same time, wasn't it!

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  26. Pam/DiggingJuly 9, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    Scott, you work wonders with all your images. I can't wait to see full posts about each of the gardens we visited. Also, it was so great to meet you at last! Can't wait for Portland Fling!

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:39 AM

      It was fabulous to finally meet you...can't wait to see you again at the next Fling!

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  27. Deanne FortnamJuly 10, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    How wonderful! terrific images of beautiful spaces. Wish I'd been able to go but am hoping to join the merry band in Portland next year

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:39 AM

      I so hope you get to come to Portland, Deanne...it's going to be loads of fun!

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  28. LayaneeJuly 10, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Wonderful photos. Wow, you did take a lot of pictures. Can't wait to see more. It was a pleasure meeting you.

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    1. scottweberpdxJuly 11, 2013 at 10:40 AM

      It was so good to meet you too! I hope you are able to come to Portland next year, Layanee!

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  29. GRACE PETERSONJuly 26, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    You went to Annie's! I hope you'll do a post on it!

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