Dede Wilsey cultivates a gorgeous garden
By: Elisabeth Laurence
Special to The Examiner
March 19, 2009
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Living art: A “wall of orchids,” above, is just one element of Wilsey’s extensive garden.
(Mike Koozmin/Special to the Examiner)
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SAN FRANCISCO — Dede Wilsey’s favorite animated movie is Walt Disney’s “Johnny Appleseed.” In the last scene, after Johnny has passed away and gone to heaven, clouds in the sky pop into pink colors. Johnny even makes heaven bloom.
The same metaphor could be applied to Wilsey, whose elegant Pacific Heights garden is just one example of her talent for building and cultivating.
The force behind the Fine Arts Museums for 10 years, the philanthropist birthed the de Young Museum, transforming it from a decaying ruin in Golden Gate Park to a new, iconic masterpiece that sets the standard for public art buildings and sites.
As president of the board of trustees, she personally raised $200 million from private donors and was involved in everything from stonework to curatorial decisions.
She also has led countless capital campaigns, including those for Grace Cathedral and Immaculate Conception Church.
Two years ago, she committed to raising $1.7 billion for the UC San Francisco Medical Center at Mission Bay to build a new children’s hospital, women’s hospital and cancer center.
The word “recession” doesn’t stop Wilsey, nor does the word “no.” She takes her cue from nature. She is a force of nature. She’s always building things.
“It’s natural, trying to cultivate — make the world better,” Wilsey says. “I like my gardens. I bring my garden indoors. I always have fresh, cut flowers inside the house.”
To Wilsey, site placement is important. “I made sure I didn’t live on an east-west street,” she says. “I wanted the light for me, and sun for the plants.”
Her gardens are a testament to her prowess for growing anything. Blossoms and blooms are ubiquitous. Her favorite hues have always been pink against bright green, with a touch of white.
Wilsey’s pink camellias are like trees. They’re so high they form setbacks, framing a parade of smaller, younger camellias that ensconce an elegant sitting garden. Their blowsy bud-heads are the size of oranges. A classic pergola with white columns stands above urns with blooming cyclamen in a raised terrace garden.
Another lower garden is rife with roses, impatiens, begonias and a procession of pale pink orchids, another Wilsey favorite. The back garden houses giant pink tulips.
Everything is sharply contrasted with spring-green grass and foliage.
“I love keeping gardens planted all year,” Wilsey says. “I like growing things.”
Wilsey’s three dogs — the newest, 8-month-old Dazzle, as well as Twinkle and Eliza — tread daintily on the property, sniffing the new growth.
“My parents talked about the Depression and victory gardens for food, and how gardens brought people together in difficult times,” Wilsey says. “I think people working together is a good thing. We need to really help each other.”
