Author Archives: Denise

Bloom Day January 2012

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Denise

Bloom Day brought the rain back. A solid month of dry weather and blue skies was getting very tedious. Thank you, Carol! And congratulations on five years of hosting Bloom Days at May Dreams Gardens. Much of what was blooming … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

phoenix plants

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Denise

First bloom on little Pelargonium echinatum, which I wrote about last January here. That its gnarled, dessicated branches somehow put on this performance every January is like getting a sneak preview of spring in a 6-inch pot. And oh, happy … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, journal, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Fedor String Gardens

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Denise

It occurred to me last night that I need to visit Amsterdam at some point, so naturally I spent a bit of time today researching Dutch gardens. To that end, I came across these heavenly botanical objects, which have been … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden ornament, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

describing plants

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Denise

It’s plant catalogue season. Plant Delights and Derry Watkins’ Special Plants both arrived in the mail today, although I also seem to be getting quite a lot via email. Selfishly, my preferred format for the long, slow perusal required of … Continue reading →

Posted in plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Occasional Daily Weather Report 1/4/12

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Denise

Unusual for January 4, 80 degrees, dry, and piercingly blue sky. Sweaty weather for garden work. Great weather if you’re a succulent.

Posted in Occasional Daily Weather Report, succulents | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

percolating

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Denise

The garden continues to percolate along in a quiet January fashion. Poppies, lunaria, Orlaya grandiflora, and Geranium maderense seem to be what’s on the menu for spring — their seedlings are everywhere. A nice problem to have and easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bulbs, garden visit, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

here’s to 2012

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Denise

The usual quiet of my little garden was broken by lots of chatter and laughter in 2011. Thank you! I’ve been entertained, educated, enthralled, and enchanted by our garden blogging community in 2011 and can’t wait to read what you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, creatures, Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

gentlemen, stop your motors

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Denise

The Los Angeles Times ran this piece in their Pro Portfolio section on Monday, December 26, and it really deserves another look. The article profiles the home garden of Katherine Spitz, of Katherine Spitz Associates, Inc., Landscape Architecture. The Pro … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden visit | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

poinsettia hangover

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Denise

I was up early with the possums this morning after Christmas. Seconds before we startled each other, my attentions had been directed at the Euphorbia milii, or Crown of Thorns, on the other side of the hedge. A couple neighbors … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits, pots and containers, The Hortorialist | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Occasional Daily Weather Report: Hailstorm damage

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Denise

There’s really nothing else I can think of that could cause this mysterious pitting: Last week a very local weather system kicked up, causing a tremendous downpour and hail. The rainfall was that rare, torrential, deafening kind that always makes … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Occasional Daily Weather Report | Tagged , , | 9 Comments