by Marjory Harris

I met Harland Hand in early 1982, on my first Western Chapter field trip. We were having a picnic at the Santa Cruz Arboretum when a tall, silver-haired man walked up to me and asked, by way of introduction, "What kind of car do you have?" Over the years, as a close friendship developed, I realized that Harland would often start in the middle of something, knowing the beginning in his own mind but not voicing the preliminary thoughts.

When he learned that I had a hatchback car, Harland asked if I would take a painting from Santa Cruz to El Cerrito for him. I had no idea who this man was, as he had neglected to introduce himself, and I did not at the time have any reason to want to go to El Cerrito. After a brief conversation, I discovered I was in the presence of my horticultural hero, author of "The Color Garden" (Pacific Horticulture, Spring 1978). I had read this article many times, seeking guidance and inspiration as I struggled to develop a garden on my steep hillside in San Francisco.

To read in pdf format: I Remember Harland Hand.pdf

Continued

 

The following day I made my first visit to Harland's garden. Full of rocks, concrete, and thousands of plants, its design and emotional effect were inspired by the landscape of the High Sierra, in particular around Silver Lake (52 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, on the Kit Carson Immigrant Trail). This was Harland's favorite place, the "most thrilling, intimate, and puzzling space" he had ever experienced. Harland described the lake as "a deep blue arabesque sunk in swirling masses of pale gray granite." By the lake were granite-floored "rooms" with shelves, benches, and boulders from which sprung trees gnarled by the alpine winds. Shrubs and flowers crept between the granite slabs, forming natural rock gardens.

In his rockeries Harland grew temperate and sub-tropical plants. He had a huge succulent collection, with many species and cultivars of echeverias and sedums tucked in among the rocks and concrete, often next to little roses or thymes. Harland did not like following rules, particularly in garden design. He would often say, "It works!" And that was what mattered, not that in nature one might never find such combinations of plants.