View into the Central Valley from the lower overlook

It's pleasant to sit in the shade in the afternoon and enjoy the Japanese Iris baking full sun as I did for a few minutes this afternoon.

It set me to thinking though, that many of the original plantings are still intact, albeit miserably so, on the far side of the watercourse; it's drier over there. Years of curators, gardeners, interns, and volunteers have addressed the wetter "China Valley side" but I have to believe those Azaleas, Nandinas, Japanese Maples,  Quinces, and pedestrian groundcovers have just lingered on.

I'm sure we can do something more attractive and interesting there.....so much ground so little time.