Author Archives: Denise

On A Misty May Morning

Heavy mist, almost a full-blown drizzle. This has been one long, cool spring, with rain forecast for the weekend. Unheard of for May! Carex and Echevaria nodulosa Agave impressa, brought home from the Huntington Botanic Garden’s plant sale over the … Continue reading →

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The Angelic Ones

I’m so glad I planted this Angelica stricta ‘Purpurea’ (from Annie’s Annuals, of course) in a pot rather than dooming another angelica by trialing it in the garden. I’m not completely convinced the problem was soil (amended clay) but more … Continue reading →

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May Bloom Day

May is a heady month for gardens. Check them out at Carol’s host site for Bloom Day, May Dreams Gardens. The pale lavender heliotrope is responding to longer and warmer days, sprawling over Oxalis vulcanicola, both perennial in zone 10. … Continue reading →

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Summer Tryouts – Geranium ‘Dragon Heart’

Hybridized by Alan Bremner of Scotland, a hybrid of the Armenian cranesbill, Geranium psilostemon, which in itself is a big plant, if of abbreviated bloom duration according to the books. I’ve never grown the species. The selections generally tend toward … Continue reading →

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The Many Faces of Cobaea

Annual vine Cobaea scandens. Seems I still feel up to the challenge of including strong personalities in the garden. For two successive years in a row, I’ve had to launch emergency eradication efforts in early spring of overly boisterous and … Continue reading →

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Garden Conservancy Open Days – Hancock Park

I did not attend this tour, but MB Maher was in attendance at a preview held last weekend, and then was sworn to sit on the photos until after the tour, yesterday in fact. So rather than a narrative of … Continue reading →

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Kickstarter

You know that great idea that’s burning a hole in your brain but then keeps slipping out through the hole in your pocket? Kickstarter can patch up that hole in your pocket. While you’re checking out the site, don’t miss … Continue reading →

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More Notes on Venice Garden Tour

I caught up with MB Maher’s photo account of the Venice Garden & Home Tour held 5/1/10, and these are his photos of Stephen Glassman’s studio. Stephen Glassman pulled apart his stone, wire and bamboo sculpture exhibited at the The … Continue reading →

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Notes on Venice Garden Tour 5/1/10

Venice, California, Zone 10, Sunset Zone 24. There was no zonal denial on display on this tour. (What would zonal denial in zone 10 look like? One example I can think of offhand would be massive, stately homes with endless … Continue reading →

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Demolition Day

Locked in mortal combat with the most intractable, fearsome enemy you’ve ever encountered (alstroemeria), who shatters into multiples of evil when you lay glove on him. Just when you’re blinded by sweat pouring off your brow, face twisted in an … Continue reading →

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