Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
By the end of October, we have usually had a killing frost in southern Ontario and our garden is dormant for the season. I appreciated the beauty of every flower seen on our recent vacation as it will be late April before flowers appear again at home. The tourist stop adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge had lovely gardens which seemed to have been coordinated in colour with this famous span across the bay. We drove through the San Francisco Botanical Gardens within the Golden Gate Park but did not have time to explore this area. It is definitely a place I would return to see the many themed gardens and the arboretum.
Lombard Street, San Francisco
Lombard Street is famous for its block which is considered one of the crookedest streets in the world. Because it was so steep and dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians, eight switchbacks were created to slow traffic. One of the most photographed streets in San Francisco, well kept gardens are contained along the winding roadway. Hydrangea blooms were the featured flower when we were there.
Hydrangea Bloom on Lombard Street
As we drove south to Monterey Bay, we noticed a succulent plant which was used as a ground cover in many places. I thought it was an aloe plant but it was an ice plant which is native to South Africa. Some people consider it to be an invasive species, especially around sand dunes along the coast and it has adapted very well in this climate.
Flowering Ice Plant
Large plantings of succulent plants can be a good fire barrier because of their high water content. This is important in places where there is a high risk of wild fires. In many places leaves of the ice plants were turning red which looked lovely on the rocks near the ocean.
The architecture of many buildings lent itself to a variety of trailing flowering vines. I loved the splashes of colour on roof tops and fences. Our rooftops will soon be adorned with snow but I prefer this image and the warmth it portrays.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Lombard Street, San Francisco
Hydrangea Bloom on Lombard Street
Flowering Ice Plant
The architecture of many buildings lent itself to a variety of trailing flowering vines. I loved the splashes of colour on roof tops and fences. Our rooftops will soon be adorned with snow but I prefer this image and the warmth it portrays.
Ruth these are excellent captures of the icons of SF. The plantings along Lombard street are way more lush than I remember. But it's been many years.
ReplyDeleteEven though you'll have snow on the roof soon, the flowers will return in the spring. Have faith.
That Lombard Street is quite the street! Your picture makes it look very scenic in deed.
ReplyDeleteSometimes one wishes for a little colour right about now ... but even more come February/March!
Thanks for sharing the beauty of this place.That street looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Just beautiful! How interesting that they use the succulents as roof covering.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had fun in SF! I love the colors in these photos. We live about 2 hours west of SF, but don't go there very often. But I always enjoy it when we go.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers Ruth. That was one of the things I liked about visiting California too -- even in January they always have flowers blooming somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to SF. It IS gorgeous, and you certainly DO know how to take excellent photos!
ReplyDeleteI remember the Lombard st, my bro went twenty years alater, and bought me a T shirt.
ReplyDeleteI think your Ice plant is the same as the beach succulent.
I must hint to my husband that we go to SF again.