So I've been wanting to do a post about this for a while. This is a small garden/park attached to the Novartis building in Emeryville on Hollis Street. It's pretty simple and maybe not my exact style, but it is definitely interesting. I drove by this place pretty regularly for over 2 years. Most of the year it's not too exciting. But in the spring, the aloes all bloom at the same time in one massive show of color.
It's very eyecatching and it's a good use of a small space. The Aloes are right on the sidewalk next to road and so draw your eye in to the mini park in an area that's otherwise, semi-industrial/corporate. And the trees blossom at about the same time, so there is more interest beyond.
And also these other flowering succulents grab your attention further back. These add some contrast all year, but for most of the year it's not as magnetic. I do always think of this spring show when I drive by, regardless of the season. The redwoods along the outer edges are planted a little close and I think might cause problems in the future, but all in all a good use of some corporate cash.
I've driven past that one too. I like it. It's a lot better than what you usually get in Emeryville.
ReplyDeleteYes, that does sound thoroughly enjoyable. I'm really glad the new water rationing regulations are likely to give us more corporate gardens like that. About time!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes! I love that garden (well, without the lawn it could be incredible, but I'll take what I can get in Emeryville). It's nice to see some imagination and style applied to these stodgy vanilla offices.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how a big mass of one plant can draw your attention to its blooming habits while a single plant suck in some landscaping might get lost. I'm attracted to these reduced kinds of landscapes, but in the end I'm just way too curious to be able to live with a simplified plant palette at home. And I guess it's easier in the corporate world to maintain a simple planting: It's lots easier to point out unwelcome plants to underpaid landscape maintenance crews.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed! I don't think I've ever seen aloe planted en masse like that before, but it is very eye-catching.
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