Author Archives: Denise

Blue Intentions

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Denise

In small gardens, a few feet of ground mean everything. This is not whining, merely observation. (Gardens, unfortunately, never respond to whining, but only to cold, clear-eyed observation.) I had some blue intentions for spring for the main garden border … Continue reading →

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The Occasional Daily Photo

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Denise

MB Maher’s 4X5 portrait of musician Frank Fairfield (banjo, fiddle, guitar), who has another album coming out this year. (Debuting a fluid, non-binding category of miscellaneous images.)

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Polygonum aubertii ‘Aureum’

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Denise

The Silver Lace Vine. Or, as this one is called, the Golden Silver Lace Vine. The new growth in spring bears colors more often seen with Japanese maples. Shrimp-pink stems, lemony-tart leaves. Tangy. (Guess I’m still hung over from Sunday … Continue reading →

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Tulip Porn

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Denise

Tulip ‘Brown Sugar’ It would push me over the edge to have to write catalogue descriptions for tulips. A groundwork of deep apricot etched in grenadine feathering reaching just shy of the margins, emanating from a central upward brush stroke … Continue reading →

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The Tree Collard

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Denise

Just another brassica, right? Let’s read the label, shall we? (Plant label: “Tree Collards. Evergreen. 8-10′ tall. Old American heirloom. Very nutritious, high in protein. Excellent steamed or boiled. Full-part sun, water regularly.”) No, that was not a typo. That’s … Continue reading →

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Agave ‘Cornelius’

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Denise

When I got home last night, Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element was streaming from Netflix. (Sidebar: TV is amazingly complicated these days.) First thing this morning, I was of course snapping photos of the Agave ‘Cornelius.’ Or “Corneeleyoos,” as Mila … Continue reading →

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Foliage Follow-Up February 2011

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Denise

This Salvia canariensis var. candissima from Annie’s Annuals is furrier than the species and has been incredibly difficult to photograph. Ever since I read a recent trashy news story on how beauties like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe shaved their … Continue reading →

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Bloom Day February 2011

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Denise

What was I thinking, sleeping in on Bloom Day? Getting straight to the point… Grevillea ‘Superb’ Pelargonium echinatum Abutilon Anigozanthus Salvia chiapensis Ammi majus Tulips The first flower of Salvia iodantha wagneriana in honor of Bloom Day. Thanks, Carol!

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Second Look (Erodium pelargoniflorum)

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Denise

Little plants like this erodium, that wouldn’t rate a second look in summer, for a brief time have the field to themselves in early spring. So many modest spring bloomers like this erodium are described as “charming,” which sounds like … Continue reading →

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Bromeliads in Winter

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Denise

Bromeliads like this Vriesea gigantea are wintering outdoors in this frostless garden. Maybe this bizarro winter I should knock wood and say this historically frostless garden. This fast-growing vriesea from southeastern Brazil is temporarily kept in a small pot to … Continue reading →

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