William Martin & The 'Art of Not Gardening'

Harland Hand [1922-1998], inspired by the principles of fine art and rock formations in the High Sierra, designed this hillside garden with breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay.

Using concrete, curving lines and dramatic color combinations, Hand created an emotionally evocative space that houses an extraordinary plant collection.

William Martin, artist, designer and creator of Wigandia, one of Australia's best gardens, visited the Harland Hand Memorial Garden in March 2006. He had some advice on how to garden. "Practice gongoozling, or gazing, rather than gardening too much." It seemed like a "less is more" concept, hard for a collector to practice. In his garden in Victoria, he eschews the English style of gardening and uses drought tolerant plants with no irrigation.

William Martin

Sean O'Hara and William Martin