[Shinrin Yoku: for Endsley]

Today I performed a modified practice of forest prayer that was part Shinrin Yoku--the Japanese practice of forest bathing, part walking meditation borrowed from the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina, and part creative expression. I dedicate this piece to Endsley Barrett, a beautiful woman who embodied joy and kindness and who left this world too soon.

Thanks to McNair and Patricia Evans for sharing Prayer Path from the Walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary at Montreat with me and to Jon Brown who wrote it for his thoughtful walk and words. Thanks also to Christopher Kautz at CQK Studio for the "DonkeyPad" that accompanies me everywhere, holding the pens and paper that allow me to catch my moments of inspiration. 

[notes: cool plants]

Recent spottings at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, CA

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Gunnera tinctoria, Chilean Gunnera:

Image credit: Stan Shebs

Gunnera tinctoria, Chilean Gunnera

Perennial, aquatic plant

Evergreen

Spacing: 6' - 8'

Height: 6' - 8'

Texture: tough, rough, thick knobby leaves with significant translucency

Hardiness: Zones 7a-10b

Sun: Full sun

Water: Lots! Obligate wetland plant, requires consistently wet soil

Danger: Spiny, spiky, can cut

Stand-out plant!

Image credit: Spencer Alley Blog

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Puya alpestris, Sapphire Tower:

 Image credits above: San Francisco Bromeliad Society, Lana Fisher

Puya alpestris, Sapphire Tower

Succulent, cactus, tropical

Evergreen

Spacing: 36"

Height: 24"

Texture: spiky, arcing and straight needle-like leaves

Hardiness: Zones 9b-11

Sun: Full sun

Water: Minimal, drought tolerant

Danger: Very pointy tips

Great needly texture against any groundcover and mixed in with other dry shrubs, perennials, and succulents.

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Protea obtusifolia, Limestone Sugarbush:

Image credit: Bluehillescape Blog

Protea obtusifolia, Limestone Sugarbush

Perennial, shrub

Evergreen

Spacing: 6' - 0"

Height: 8' - 0"

Texture: Long, smooth obovate leaves

Bloom: red from fall-spring

Hardiness: Zones 9b-10b

Sun: Full sun

Water: Minimal, drought tolerant

Danger: N/A

Great overall form in a wild, dry garden

Excellent pollinator plant