Page 76 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 DISCOVERING MENDOCINO

lands, coastal bluffs, and a closed-cone pine forest
that hosts a surprisingly diverse variety of plants. All
thrive in Mendocino’s moderate year-round temper-
atures and abundant rainfall. Hardy succulents
reached impressive size, some larger than a VW
Beetle. So do some exotic Australian natives, includ-
ing banksia with their tall cone-shaped flowers.
Mixed borders overflowed with bold blends of
sages, grasses, flaxes, sedums and more. Bulbs in-
cluding pink Guernsey lilies, red-hot poker spires,
and diminutive ground covers added to the lively
plant play. Focal point pines and conifers, some
tipped with gold, and jewel-hued Japanese maples
added rich textures we Southern California garden-
ers can only dream of.
More plant envy surfaced after seeing beautiful
displays of heaths and heathers with foliage of cop-

76 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2021