2014 East Bay Open Garden Day: Rancho Diablo, part 1

The next garden we visited on the Garden Conservancy’s East Bay Open Day tour was a 5-acre hilltop property in Lafayette dubbed “Rancho Diablo.” The approach was dramatic: After driving up several narrow streets, we ended up at an open area near the top where we were instructed to park our car. We then walked the remaining 1/4 mile while enjoying breathtaking views of the hills to the south.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_001

After rounding the last bend in the road, this is the vista we encountered:

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_pano1

My jaw dropped.

Yucca rostrata! Opuntia ‘Santa Rita’!

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_006

Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’. Agave americana ‘Mediopicta alba’. Agave desmettiana ‘Joe Hoak’.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_011

Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Star’.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_014

And that was just the beginning.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_015  140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_018

The tall tree on the left is a silk floss tree (Ceiba speciosa)

Walking around the south side of the house took us to the most amazing private succulent garden I’ve ever seen.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_020-Edit

It looked like a miniature version of Lotusland! According to the official description, “[the] cacti and succulents which wrap the house were inspired by the collections of Ruth Bancroft.”

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_pano2

Like a kid in a candy store, I didn’t know where to look first.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_022

Agave salmiana (left) and Agave franzosinii (right)

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_040

The cactus hill was particularly impressive, with golden barrel cacti seemingly tumbling down the slope.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_pano3

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_053

Succulent treasures small and tall were everywhere.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_056

Ponytail palms (Beaucarnea recurvata). As beautiful as they are individually, they look even better when grouped together.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_037

Yucca rostrata and Agave desmettiana ‘Joe Hoak’

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_038

Agave desmettiana ‘Joe Hoak’. The browning on the leaves might be frost damage from the cold spell last December.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_036

Agave victoria-reginae, looking like it needs a little less sun and a little more water

As impressive as the plants were, I found the hardscape to be equally interesting. Look at the swale of obsidian chunks suggesting a streambed!

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_047  140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_049

Or this stacked rock wall made of flagstone pieces!

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_050

The house itself was magnificent as well. Originally built in 1928, it was restored by the current owners in the late 1980s. While the older part of the house reminded me of a Mexican hacienda, the addition you see below has a modern feel. It opens out to a beautiful infinity pool.

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_066  140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_063

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_090

140531_EastBayOpenDay_house2_060

In part 2 I will show you more views of the cacti and succulents near the house as well as a secret garden a little ways down the hill that took me by complete surprise.

RELATED POSTS:

OTHER ARTICLES ON THIS GARDEN:

Comments

  1. Oh my, I am in love! That's pretty much perfect in my book and I would be thrilled to move in, or maybe just visit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my word, I'm lost for words! You are right, this is probably one of the best private succulent gardens out there, so impressed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The location makes it even more spectactular--and the vast amount of open space all around it.

      Delete
  3. Yah, wow. That stacked flagstone-piece wall is so well done, too. What's particularly good is the big groups of the same plant. Looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fantastic! I like the flagstone mulch too -- did it seem natural in relation to the house and surrounding geology?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The area surrounding the house is mostly oak-studded grasslands but all the materials used seemed at home. I think flagstone looks great just about anywhere.

      Delete
  5. Very impressive indeed! I too loved the flagstone and the obsidian stream bed.....so cool!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Holy cow that place is amazing! Wonderful photos!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment