Author Archives: Denise

November now and then

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Denise

My rapturous opinion of November hasn’t changed much over the years (the cooler days, the slanted light, the chance of rain!), but certain patterns in the garden do escape my notice. Perusing past November entries, I find that Berkheya purpurea … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | 5 Comments

the thoroughly modern tilly

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Denise

Mitch has been tagging along with Josh Rosen (the airplantman) to check out some of his custom installation work to get a sense of how Josh’s tillandsia-specific designs work in situ. In this home in the Pacific Palisades, the classic … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, design, inspire me, MB Maher, pots and containers | 5 Comments

sweat it out

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Denise

It’s great to see the garden “sweat” again. Whether glistening from morning dew or transpiration, it’s a sight for sore (dry) eyes. The leaves of the tree aloe ‘Goliath’ were a grimy, sooty mess just a few days ago. Hosespray … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, Occasional Daily Weather Report, science, succulents | 4 Comments

James Griffith @Craig Krull Gallery

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Denise

Never mind Halloween, it’s been a scary week, and overnight more fires erupted, many much closer to home. Checking the Los Angeles Times for the grim wildfire updates brought some unexpected and sorely needed happy news: “La Brea tar is … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, climate, science | 3 Comments

channeling willy guhl

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Denise

The firecracker plant (fountainbush, coral plant, among a plethora of common names) is an incredibly tough addition to a frost-free dry garden, attributes which also make it an excellent choice for flourishing in containers, which can be a rough life … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, design, pots and containers | 3 Comments

low humidity, high winds, pink houses

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Denise

“The Santa Ana winds were blasting through the streets, bristling and smelling of desert, of white sunlight, of sharp, wiry plants and white rock…A hot madness was enclosing the city.” Kate Braverman, Lithium for Medea (February 5, 1949 – October … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, MB Maher, science | 6 Comments

Huntington’s Fall Plant Sale 10/25/19

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Denise

One of those quirky associations that happens when looking for the perfect autumn light for an increasingly lanky potted euphorbia. Passiflora ‘Flying V’ handles its own light needs by threading itself through a grevillea, and so an improbable relationship is … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, plant sales, pots and containers, succulents | 2 Comments

so many salvias

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Denise

I love the buzz of excitement of trying out new plants. In my garden, a good share of the newcomers always seems to include a few salvias, which isn’t surprising considering these multivarious members of the mint family number almost … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | 8 Comments

autumn light in the Berkeley Hills

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Denise

Mitch was up in the Berkeley Hills over the weekend, which were suitably bathed in the golden light of autumn.  Knowing how much I love eavesdropping on gardens, he grabbed some quick, discreet photos of his rambles.   (I’m sharing them … Continue reading →

Posted in garden travel, garden visit, MB Maher, Occasional Daily Photo | 5 Comments

San Marcos Growers Celebrates 40 Years

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Denise

On Friday, October 4, 2019, San Marcos Growers opened up its wholesale nursery gates to celebrate 40 years in horticulture. On this Field Day event, the first since 2010, the gardens throughout the nursery were seemingly shouting their own full-throated … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden travel, garden visit, plant nurseries, plant sales, pots and containers | 8 Comments