Gamble Gardens

Gazebo in the perennial garden

For the first half of every week I am in Palo Alto, CA and today I took advantage of that fact and that it was a gorgeous day and took a late lunch at the Gamble Gardens. 

First a little history lesson, my dears….

Elizabeth F. Gamble was born in 1880 and moved to Palo Alto in 1901 with her parents when her older brother was attending Stanford University.  She lived in the house her entire life and gave the estate and its 2 1/2 acres of gardens to the city of Palo Alto with the stipulation that she and her brother be allowed to live there for the rest of their lives.  Her brother passed away in 1972 and Elizabeth in 1981. 

The main house

In 1985 the city approved plans to lease the estate to the Elizabeth F. Gamble Foundation, a non-profit group that restored the gardens to their original plans.  Elizabeth was quite an accomplished gardner and took great pride and joy in sharing her garden during her life.  The gardens are open, free to the public, year round.  You can also visit inside the house during the week from 9:00am-12:00pm

I think my poking around on my lunch break was just the sort of thing she had in mind when she gave her home to the city.  The gardens are starting to wane a bit but are still lovely and still quite in bloom. 

Looking towards the working beds

Visiting in the Springtime is especially lovely because the Wisteria is in bloom and it smells heavenly. 

Even not in bloom the Wisteria garden is lovely.  How many times can I work the word ‘lovely’ into this post? 

Wisteria garden

Okay – no more lecture.  Just more pictures.

Ampelopsis Brevipedunculata in the gazebo

This was a really interesting vine covering half of the gazebo.  The berries are the most beautiful combination of turquoise and magenta.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  Go ahead, click on the picture to enlarge it.  I’ll wait here.  Aren’t they pretty?  Is that turquoise or robin’s egg blue do you suppose? 

Buxus sepmpervirens rabbitus

Cherry Allee and Grotto

Look!  Fall color in California!

Waverly Street, Palo Alto

I grew up in Palo Alto and this shot is very typical of the pretty, tree-lined streets. 

I had a very dear friend that was paralyzed in his early 20’s in diving accident.  He loved the gardens and found it to be very accessible to him in his motorized wheel chair.  He passed away in his early 40’s and his memorial was held in gardens.  Another fitting use, I’m sure Elizabeth would think.

Yes it is quite lovely.