The communal front garden at Center in the San Francisco Bay area is densely populated by Japanese maples and colorful flowering perennials in summer.
Eucalyptus, avocado and citrus trees enclose the back garden, offering privacy, food and protection for our extended Sangha. A charming, weathered, wrought iron and wooden bench sits quietly at the rear of the garden.
Ornamental box hedges and silver helichrysum encircle the birdbath. Brushing your fingertips along the helichrysum's velvety leaves releases a pleasant herbaceous scent.
At the right edge of this photo is a flowering bush commonly called “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Within a span of 3 days each blossom goes from deep violet to light violet and finally to white. Lobelia has joyfully volunteered to grow in between the patio bricks.
The red bench provides a splash of color as well as the opportunity to sit in relaxation, as so perfectly mirrored by the statue of the Buddha.
The wooden arbor offers its support to the wisteria above, which then offers its shade for guidance appointments below.