Author Archives: Denise

Dishing with the Girlfriends

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Denise

You didn’t really expect we’d be discussing the latest Manolo Blahniks, did you? Below is the transcribed conversation of a group of cyber garden pals on the topic of various approaches to overwintering tropicals. All but me garden in a … Continue reading →

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

On the Evening of October 3, 2010

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Denise

A single brugmansia bloom dangled while Evie groomed. The rest of the unopened buds were jettisoned in response to high temperatures. That same evening, the ‘Siam Ruby’ banana unfurled an enormous solar panel, daring the sun to do its worst. … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

San Marcos Growers Field Day

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Denise

Around town, wedged into narrow strips of land under gigantic transmission towers emitting EMF radiation, can be seen rows and rows of plant stock being grown. But I’ve never seen local plant stock approach the desirability displayed in the photos … Continue reading →

Posted in MB Maher | Tagged | 11 Comments

Jeffrey Bale’s Permeable Road to Paradise

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Denise

Is it just me, or has all subtlety been suddenly drained from the world? All sense of nuance seems lost. (In addition to lethargy, extreme heat occasionally brings on irritable, sweeping generalizations.) Here in Southern California, record cool temps all … Continue reading →

Posted in garden ornament, MB Maher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Not At Home

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Denise

When home during summer (in our non-air-conditioned home), I hang out on the cool east side of the house, religiously sweeping this small patio clean and smooth to receive scorched, bare feet, occasionally laying down rugs for the corgi and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Ironweed

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Denise

Autumn is a time to dream of American prairies, shoulder high with the blooms of plants bearing the names of forgotten explorers. Right alongside the list of places I’ve yet to visit is the list of plants I’ve yet to … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Rust Never Sleeps: Recent Work by Dustin Gimbel

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Denise

Congratulations to Dustin Gimbel of Second Nature Garden Design for the recent write-up in The Orange County Register on his landscape design work at a Huntington Harbor, California, home. If pets are chewing or foot traffic stomping your prize succulents, … Continue reading →

Posted in garden ornament, garden visit, MB Maher, succulents | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Of Elephants and Mobile Homes

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Denise

If one morning I was presented with a list of the garden tasks I would ultimately end up accomplishing that day, I would probably consider it an absurd amount of work and pitch the list in the trash. That’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Home Again

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Denise

The termite control crews have left, the gas is turned back on, and very little damage to plants has occurred. An enormous, ruffly echeveria as big as a cabbage was one of the few casualties, even though it seemed in … Continue reading →

Posted in garden ornament, succulents | Tagged | 1 Comment

Under A Big Tent

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Denise

If I named my home at this moment, something I’ve been mulling over for a while, Hotel Chaotica would be a good fit. The big tent is coming next week under which death will be dealt to the termites chewing … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, Ephemera, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments