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!!!


58 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  15. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. OK, mission accomplished: I am thoroughly teased.

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

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

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

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

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

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