Author Archives: Denise

Got Sluggo?

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Denise

My garden shed is organized with the same efficiency as my clothes closet (as in zero efficiency. Ask my husband. I ‘m a complete slob), but the Sluggo is always the most accessible item in the shed. I was at … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, shop talk | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Occasional Daily Photo 6/24/11

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Denise

I took the day off from work yesterday and worked played in the garden all day. Needing potting soil, I stopped at a local nursery, where I found this: (Photo is a little dark, taken late last night.) Pedilanthus bracteatus … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged | 3 Comments

Under Trees

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Denise

Should any part of your garden extend under a tree canopy, be joyful, for you will never lack for tasks to keep you busy. (Ha!) But if your garden is home to spiky plants, no amount of sweeping and raking … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Gospel According to San Marcos

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Denise

The devoted gathered to hear Mr. Baldwin of the premiere West Coast nursery San Marcos Growers give a talk at Roger’s Gardens last Saturday on new plant introductions. Be warned that this post will be plant-wonkish in the extreme.

Posted in garden travel, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Solanum marginatum

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Denise

Cable TV was turned back on in our house after an absence of about a year of no TV other than Netflix. Fiberoptic cable was laid on our street, so a package deal with faster internet, cable TV, and phone … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Garden Tasks, Dogs & Productivity

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Denise

I work at home most days of the week and keep this guy fairly close all day. Working alone all day with a dog instead of people has some interesting ramifications. I’m not sure if it makes me any more … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits, pots and containers, shop talk, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Hortus Chaotica

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Denise

So many contradictions, so little time. A love of spare, austere, sculptural plantings. Yet every summer I still invite the circus to camp in my garden.

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Bloom Day June 2011

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Denise

I missed yesterday’s Bloom Day post, hosted by May Dreams Gardens, but now need a photo for Digging’s Foliage Follow-Up, always held the day after Bloom Day. Let’s see….blooms and great leaves. Oh, of course. Cannas can do double-duty for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day, Plant Portraits | Tagged | 4 Comments

How To Set A Picnic

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Denise

Yes, I’m being ironic, since I hadn’t anticipated lavish tableware displays from the outdoor-themed “The Art of Entertaining,” a one-day event held June 15, 2011, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California. Work had me on the freeways, so … Continue reading →

Posted in design | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Random Senecio

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Denise

Composite flowers of senecio come paired with an incredible range of leaf forms. A few portraits from one of the largest genera of flowering plants, taken at recent plant shows Senecio fulgens with an Emilia javanica-like flower Senecio tropaeolifolius Senecio … Continue reading →

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