Author Archives: Denise

the garden stories we tell

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Denise

It always amazes me how what was just hours before a scene of mayhem in the garden can look so calm and serene just a few moments after the mulch settles. Right where those little Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Beach Ball’ now … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden visit, journal, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | 5 Comments

the kids are all right

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Denise

The kids know what’s at risk. Only the essentials — water, soil, the atmosphere, sea levels and acidification, desertification, mass extinctions, food supply chains. Perhaps widening income inequality is making kids immune to the economic scaremongering arguments of their elders … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, science | 5 Comments

a thing for us; Smithson’s Spiral Jetty

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Denise

On a recent, intense, two-day trip to Park City, Utah, Mitch and I made an impromptu decision to include a visit to Robert Smithson’s work of land art known as the Spiral Jetty. Possibly not the methodical planning necessary to … Continue reading →

Posted in artists | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

early September at Red Butte Garden

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Denise

A short, unplanned, very hot visit to Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden last week brought an unexpected amount of pleasure and inspiration. Due to a flight delay back to Long Beach, we had a few extra hours to kill … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, garden travel, MB Maher, Plant Portraits | Tagged , | 8 Comments

escape from the heat

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Denise

Ecstatic, delighted, defeated, miserable? I probably cycle through all of those emotions in a single September day. I think a hot day’s super power is in how all-encompassing and omnipresent it can feel, blotting out memory and awareness of anything … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings, garden visit, inspire me, MB Maher, Occasional Daily Photo, photography | 3 Comments

plants and rocks; the basics

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Denise

If your idea of a good life means being surrounded by plants, chances are you love having a few rocks around too, even if only in a haphazard, barely intentional way. Perhaps small rock mementos from travels naturally seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, creatures, design, essay, MB Maher, succulents | 5 Comments

suburbitat

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Denise

“Formed in 2001, HPEC has grown into a multifaceted organization that works to create sustainable landscapes, restore native plant communities and provide habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife amid development.” Back in June a bunch of garden bloggers visited … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, creatures, design, garden travel, plant nurseries, science | Tagged | 9 Comments

friday clippings 8/16/19

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Denise

The LA Times wrote a glowing review of the recent Inter-City Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale, and it was my impression as well that this event was an enormous success over past years. I was told by a cashier … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings | 6 Comments

Scott Deemer’s dreamscape of rocks, fire, water

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Denise

Scott Deemer keeps it elemental with the landscape design at his home in Niwot, Colorado not far from Denver, especially in the back garden. The front garden is more manicured, but in the back garden there’s a strong fantasy at … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

views of August

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Denise

Continuing with the year-to-year comparison… I love plant-intensive gardens, planning them, planting them. I’ve learned a lot about spacing and air flow over the years, so the garden isn’t as dense as in previous Augusts, but I’m still just as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments