The spiky plant in the foreground is a bromeliad similar to a pineapple but non-fruiting. I don't know the name but it was used everywhere as a spiky living fence. My favourite part of this picture is the palm tree in the background. No actually it is the illuminated grass underneath the horse on the left side.
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HELP. I am going to be in Austin, TX and San Francisco in the next few months and I am looking for gardeners to photograph in their gardens. I know you're out there. Please email me if you know someone or are a gardener yourself and live in either city.