Evening get-together in Kyle's magical garden

This past weekend was the 2026 Show & Sale of the Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Society (SCSS). To celebrate, my friend and frequent partner-in-crime Kyle Johnson invited the vendors and SCSS board members to an evening get-together in his garden. I didn’t keep track of how many people showed up, but it was a few dozen at least. Most of the locals had seen Kyle’s garden before, but the out-of-town vendors hadn’t. In addition to the general ooh and aahs, I overheard some comments that reflected a deeper connection to what Kyle has created. I’m sure that, as fellow gardeners, you know how validating it is to hear from people who get what you’re trying to do.

The photos in this post were taken between 4:30pm and 7:30pm. During those three hours, the light was getting warmer and softer until, boom, it was dark. But Kyle has lights throughout the garden so nobody was stumbling around in the dark.

I didn’t quite capture the magic I felt as I was walking around after dark, but I hope you’ll at least get an idea of how special Kyle’s garden is. I’ve said this before, but I’m so happy that Kyle’s and my path have crossed. He continues to be a major inspiration, and I look forward to seeing what his garden — and mine — will look like in one year, two, five, ten.

Let’s start in the front.

Like me, Kyle is a strong believer in more is more. And like me, he overplants, knowing full well that plants will need to be moved as they get bigger. It’s all part of the plan.

Just one close-up: Clarkia amoena and Dudleya brittonii

A great place to sit in the front yard. At the bottom left is one of two small wildflower meadows Kyle has created. Most of the plants flowering there right now are California annuals. A year from now, this area will be totally different, but for now, it’s wonderful to see the abundance of foliage and color.

Moving to the backyard:

Reflections in the vintage Mexican mirror near the entrance to the backyard

I love this perspective

Just one small vignette of what there is to see on the fence. The rock art is Kyle’s.

View towards the patio

This is about as lush as a garden can get in our climate

Agave guiengola ‘Platinum’ outside the slider to the living room

The patio is a wonderful place...

...to sit...

...and look out at the garden

Ladyfinger cactus (Echinocereus pentalophus) blooming right on schedule. I will forever associate these cheerful flowers with the annual SCSS Show & Sale, which is always on the first weekend of May.

Kyle and his wife have two dogs, Rusty and Max. Rusty is my special buddy.

Who says chimeneas are for fires?

Mangave perfection

Potted cactus collection

Wider view...

...towards Kyle’s office shed

Annuals like California and Shirley poppies, hollyhocks, and more growing wild in the pathways

The light is getting warmer...

...and softer

Kyle’s backyard isn’t large, but there is so much to explore

An hour later

Magical light

I will definitely plant hollyhocks next year

A little while later

Kyle had set up the bar in his office shed, so it was a popular place

Kyle found these two plant stands while walking the dogs

They were actually bed posts

Finally, a few photos I took after the lights had come on:

Kyle’s nursery area

I had hoped to take more photos, but my camera battery died midway. I just have to come back and continue where I left off. What a hardship that will be!

© Gerhard Bock, 2026. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.