(photo by Floradoragardens)
Nichols Garden
Location: Oakland
Garden Description by Ann Nichols:
When
eco-visionary landscape designer Bob Clark first visited Ann Nichols’ house in
the late 90’s, he found a boring narrow walkway along the side that led up from
the street to the back yard. Today one
is drawn toward a whimsical fence built of tree branches and ropes which Cristo
and Robinson Crusoe might have built together. One climbs past gurgling water that passes through salvage pipes onto
shells, then along a mini-canal and into ponds surrounded by her personal
collectibles embedded in cement. On the
wall at the top, a mirror set within a mosaic mural invites the curious visitor
into the back yard.
On the other
side of the gate, one discovers a yard on many levels, each designed as an
outdoor room. The black and silver
garden, called the entry “parlor,” is bordered by a wooden fence and two cement
walls. Another mirror hangs from the
fence, as if to say “you are here!” Jasmine,
a Japanese maple, heucheras, black mondo grass and various ferns create a restful
spot for a visitor to sit and enjoy the cool shade.
Going past the
patio, one enters the white garden. White digitalis, gardenias, white day
lilies and other flowers whose hues range from chalk to cream give this room
its color. Up another level lies a lawn,
bordered brightly colored flower beds.
Higher on the
hill is the Rose garden. Weeping
Sequoia, tied together, form an allee into this fragrant garden underplanted with
blue flowered perennials. Forget-Me-Nots,
Salvias, Clematis, Irises, and Geraniums color this room, as does the blue star
creeper that grows between the patio pavers.
The front
garden at the street is the most recently developed. This garden was built around a Canary Date
Palm, the only plant that remains on the property from the time the house was
purchased 30 years ago. For the most
part, there is a subtropical feel here. It is filled with Bromeliads Echeverias, Orchids, Tillandsias and Aloes. The hope was to give passers by a few
seconds in the tropics on their way to their busy lives!
Fling Attendees: Please add a link to your post about this garden
in the comments section below.
