Author Archives: Denise

Anatomy of a Pot of Tender Plants

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Denise

There’s some great names in the plant world, and Cussonia is up there with some of my favorites. And for pure enjoyment, no history of the name is necessary, just an appreciation for vowels and syllables. Also lends itself to … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Annie's Annuals & Perennials, Araliaceae, Cabbage Trees, Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, Cussonia gamtoosensis, Cussonia paniculata, Delosperma sphalmanthoides, High Country Gardens, International Garden Center & Floral Design, plantzafrica, Support Your Independent Nursery Month, Tufted Ice Plant | 3 Comments

flowers for tori

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Denise

A single nerine stem of congratulations for being the first woman artist whose new album simultaneously listed in the Top 10 of Billboard’s alternative, classical, and rock categories. A listen to the new Night of Hunters can be found at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephemera, Occasional Daily Photo | Tagged nerines, Tori Amos | Leave a comment

winter whites

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Denise

I know it’s only mid-October, but I’m already dreaming of winter whites. Evie sports her winter coat year-round and so is always exquisitely attired. And frosty astelia gets the juices flowing for more winter whites. But the winter whites I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, Ephemera, Occasional Daily Weather Report, pots and containers | Tagged Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear, Downton Abbey, Southern Calfornia | 5 Comments

Bloom Day October 2011

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Denise

The highest temps all summer hit last week, an unwelcome intrusion into fall planting season. Limbing up the big smoke tree a few weeks ago allowed a lot more light into the back garden, setting in motion some deadly domino … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, Bulbs, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged Dahlia 'Chat Noir', Digging Dog Nursery, Grevillea 'Superb', Nerine sarniensis, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Ricinus communis 'New Zealand Purple', Rudbeckia triloba, Salvia canariensis var. candissima, Salvia madrensis, Selinum wallichianum, Thunbergia gregorii | 9 Comments

the gardening beatle

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Denise

I think it was George’s son Dhani Harrison who let slip in the Martin Scorcese documentary “Living in the Material World,” (last week on HBO) that the family sometimes called George “Capability,” jokingly comparing George to the great 18th century … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden visit | Tagged Beth Chatto, Dan Pearson, Dhani Harrison, English landscape movement, Friar Park, George Harrison, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, Living in the Material World, Martin Scorcese | 8 Comments

Sedum & the Summer of Neglect

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Denise

A tale of invincibility. The sedum, with the survivability of a cockroach, has been performing every trick I’ve asked it to. Way back in January I planted up these hollow flues pried out of our chimney when some repairs were … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Dorycnium hirsutum, Fabaceae family, Orbexilum pedunculatum, Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' | 4 Comments

Wreath of Asarina

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Denise

Now that it’s October, the grapevine wreath I hung on the fence mid-summer doesn’t seem half as silly. The pink flowers are from a nearby Asarina scandens, which has been galloping over the fence. The wreath is one I made … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden ornament, Plant Portraits | Tagged Asarina scandens, wreath | 3 Comments

Occasional Daily Weather Report 10/9/11

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Denise

After last week’s day of rain, the sidewalk’s warming up again. High 70’s and low 80’s for the next few days. (A favorite spot to warm up and also cuff the corgi’s tail-less bottom as he passes through the feline … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, Occasional Daily Weather Report | Tagged Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea', biennials, Pelargonium 'Splendide', Pembroke corgi, Rudbeckia triloba, The Monkees Have No Tails in Zamboanga | 5 Comments

“Gardens: An Essay” by Robert Pogue Harrison

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Denise

Strange how, even in the most unlikely places, thoughts can still turn to gardens. Jury duty last week had me confined for a good part of Friday in a large, drab room full of strangers, all of us potential jurors … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, essay, journal | Tagged gardens, Gardens: An Essay, Harold Bloom, Mark of Cura, paradise, Robert Pogue Harrison | 6 Comments

Rained Out

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Denise

Unlike a sporting event or outdoor concert or meal, a Southern California garden that’s rained out in early October is cause for rejoicing. And to really intensify the blissed-out experience of the first seasonal rains, just the day before you … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bulbs, design, garden visit, Occasional Daily Weather Report, Plant Portraits | Tagged Agave bovicornuta, Agave desmettiana 'Variegata', Agave parryi var. truncata, Allium sphaerocephalum, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition', climate change, dahlias, garden disputes, Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline', prechilling tulips, Salvia farinacea 'Texas Violet', San Marcos Growers | 4 Comments