GARDEN

Back garden Check out: At Property with Photographer Caitlin Atkinson in Santa Cruz and Nevada City

August 28, 2021
iwano@_84

For decades I have marveled at (and been envious of) the perform of photographer Caitlin Atkinson who captures gardens, interiors, and however lifes with a serene, dreamy, almost ethereal sense. She is a master of capturing the sun as it shines comfortable and warm, as it creates glowing halos all-around vegetation, highlighting and hugging simultaneously.

Most not too long ago Caitlin photographed landscapes for the guide Beneath Western Skies: Visionary Gardens from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, created by Jennifer Jewell, that spotlights revolutionary and inspiring gardens in the West. Caitlin’s work, of program, involves just about continuous globe-trotting, but when she is ready to be at a person of her individual residences, both in Nevada City or Santa Cruz, you can come across her digging and tending her have patches of grime.

Caitlin Atkinson at Dwelling

Both equally Caitlin’s gardens have distinctive models as they respond to distinct climates and options. The Nevada Metropolis one particular, in the foothills in the vicinity of the Yuba River, is, as Caitlin describes it, “more of a delicate color tale.” One particular location of the backyard is made up mainly of blues and is situated in a incredibly sunny, dry, and incredibly hot place, and she also has a fescue meadow that she continues to seed and plant into. “The drought has more of an impression right here, together with the threat of fires.”

The Santa Cruz backyard garden, on the other hand, is a seashore cottage with additional colorful plantings. And even nevertheless the backyard will get solar all day, the proximity to the ocean generates a incredibly delicate local climate. “The most difficult things to function with there are the sand for soil, the wind off the ocean, and the salt air,” shares Caitlin.

Join us for a nearer appear at her two gardens.

Photography by Caitlin Atkinson.

Nevada Town Garden

“Everything I plant has to be low-maintenance, very tough, deer-and bunny-resistant, plus like where it lives or it will not make it,” says Caitlin. Both gardens started slowly and continue to evolve that way as well.
Earlier mentioned: “Everything I plant has to be low-upkeep, pretty rough, deer-and bunny-resistant, additionally like where by it life or it will not make it,” suggests Caitlin. The two gardens began bit by bit and go on to evolve that way as perfectly.
Caitlin decorates her porch with pots purchased from Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco. Agave ‘porcupine’ fills most of them, while a Clematis armandii vine frames her forest view.
Earlier mentioned: Caitlin decorates her porch with pots obtained from Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco. Agave ‘porcupine’ fills most of them, whilst a Clematis armandii vine frames her forest look at.
“My work often gets incredibly busy right when you might be the busiest in the garden, so I often do not get to do much in the garden. It can sometimes turn into a real wild scene, but mostly things are left to their own devices with a little maintenance when I can,” says Caitlin.
Above: “My function often receives incredibly busy correct when you may be the busiest in the yard, so I often do not get to do substantially in the backyard garden. It can sometimes switch into a genuine wild scene, but primarily points are remaining to their own devices with a small upkeep when I can,” claims Caitlin.
This simple concrete bird bath attracts mostly acorn woodpeckers. Caitlin adds, “Of course robins, seasonal finches and hummingbirds are in the garden, but they are not so much at the water.”
Over: This simple concrete chook tub appeals to largely acorn woodpeckers. Caitlin provides, “Of study course robins, seasonal finches and hummingbirds are in the backyard, but they are not so considerably at the drinking water.”
The fire pit set on gravel belonged to Caitlin’s grandfather, who was a landscape contractor on the peninsula. “It burns logs,” Caitlin shares. “So I don’t use it in the summer because of the fire danger.”
Previously mentioned: The hearth pit set on gravel belonged to Caitlin’s grandfather, who was a landscape contractor on the peninsula. “It burns logs,” Caitlin shares. “So I really don’t use it in the summer months because of the fire risk.”