Author Archives: Denise

1stdibs

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Denise

In a piece in yesterday’s New York Times, Steven Kurutz introduces readers to the “marketplace for design and antiques” known as 1stdibs. And the next thing I knew, about three hours were somehow sucked out of my day. “Set of … Continue reading →

Posted in design | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Garden Puzzles

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Denise

Working with a small garden can be a bit of a puzzle. This powder blue Agave potatorum, or ‘butterfly’ agave, was planted a couple years ago deep in the recesses of the gravel garden, much too out of the way … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Chasing Plants

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Denise

Post-Internet I’ve noticed plant desire has turned into a thinner and weaker strain now that it’s so easily satisfied. The really big desire, the kind that used to build up unrequited for years and years, is as analog as a … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden travel, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Occasional Daily Photo 9/3/11

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Denise

Asteeelia, you’re breaking my heart… But only because you’re so constantly, shimmeringly gorgeous. Ever-gorgeous is what you are. Allow me to sing your praises. This large pot of Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Spear’ has sat in the center of the back … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

From Pot to Garden

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Denise

Ah, the synergy of pots and garden. Apart from the infinite aesthetic considerations, from a practical standpoint, pots can render any garden effectively zoneless or, as in my very small garden, they can stretch available planting space. In a process … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Bulletproof (I Wish It Was…)

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Denise

Eccremocarpus scaber, Chilean Glory Flower. Allegedly a rambunctious annual vine, possibly perennial in my zone 10. Usually characterized as a vine to cover sheds and vast expanses of unsightly fence. In other words, bulletproof. Image from Jungle Seeds “Blooms early … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Square Stems & Other Botanical Curiosities

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Denise

Studying taxonomic classification and “keying” out the physical characteristics of plants almost 18 years ago was incredibly absorbing, but the detailed vocabulary has mostly slipped from memory from disuse. Still, it’s a rare occasion that I look at a salvia … Continue reading →

Posted in edibles, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Summer Afternoon

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Denise

Photograph entitled “A Summer Afternoon” by Olivia Parker. That plane shadow could be the DC-3 that flies over our garden twice a day, bringing supplies to Catalina Island. The leaf shadow, Arundo donax. Looking at this photo, I feel I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Dinner at Dustin’s

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Denise

A word of advice. An invitation to dinner at Dustin’s should never be passed up. Yes, he is a wonderful cook (Salade Nicoise with salmon, chocolate ganache torte). But prowling around his garden to see what he’s been up to … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden visit, MB Maher | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Palms & Lawn

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Denise

I’ve had a very interesting past couple of days. (Interesting in my usual narrow, horticultural sense of the word.) Thursday I finally made it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to check out up close the new Eli … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, garden travel, MB Maher, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments