May 1 2010: Napa Area Garden Tour

Thirty five members of the Northern California branch enjoyed lovely weather for their visits to two large gardens with a pleasant lunch in between. We started at the property of Roger Raiche and David McCrory north of Calistoga consisting of many acres of wildlands surrounding their residence and a guest cottage. We split into two groups and toured the inventive and colorful gardens near the structures. Riot of colors is a hallmark of their designs. Limited summer water and scorching summer heat with chilly winters has made it a challenge to create sustainable gardens. A giant metal dinosaur gazes into the amazing views of nearby parks.

From there, we travelled south to Silverado Brewing Company for a private luncheon. Planet Horticulture (Roger and David's design company) created the gardens surrounding this restaurant. A combination of chartreuse, reds, and dark greens with spiky, soft billows and vertical elements made this garden very attractive.

We spent the rest of the day at Irene Kuffel and Mike Thompson's rammed earth walled home and gardens on the east side of Napa. Starting with the multi-fruit orchard in front, we moved through the pool deck with large cacti and citrus to a well protected succulent garden and on to a phalanx of raised beds, past the petanque court to the young woodland garden with many rare trees. Beyond the woodland was a large vegetable bed and at the rear of the property is the equipment shed with sheep clearing the area of weeds.

We were amazed at the diversity of plant material and the careful siting for plants to survive Napa extremes. Mike's continuing creation of rammed earth walls was also interesting. Our garden hosts were very generous with their time and accommodation of our large group. Many thanks to them.

-- B. Tiede

The rare palisade dinosaur in its native habitat. (photos: C. Renshaw)

The vegetable garden and entertaining arbor at Mike and Irene's.