Author Archives: Denise

summer plant report 2018

Posted on September 14, 2018 by Denise

Imposing title for a modest report on a handful of new plants, right? Regardless of the size limitations of a small garden, I’m always trialing new plants, but I’m hesitant to report on results that might give a false impression … Continue reading →

Posted in plant nurseries, Plant Portraits, plant sales | Tagged APLD Greater Los Angeles District, Metrosideros excelsa 'Gala', Phygelius 'Magenta', Salvia apiana 'Compacta', Veronica 'Purpleicious' | 2 Comments

friday clippings 9/7/18

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Denise

What a week. I think it’s time for some portraits of very clever squirrels by Geert Weggen, like this: More industrious squirrel portraits at the link, via My Modern Met. Another mood lifter is this charming series of drawings by … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings | Tagged Cosmos atrosanguineus, Dypsis decaryi palm, Emilia javanica 'Irish Poet', Geert Weggen, Gretchen Roehrs, Leslie Vigil, mezcal, Nan Ondra, Samuel Zeller's "Botanical", sfgirlbybay Victoria Smith, Solanum pyracanthum | 7 Comments

oil drums for plants

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Denise

Way back in spring, when we were sourcing stuff for the popup, there was an ad on craigslist offering food-grade, powder-coated oil drums for cheap. Really cheap. Temptingly cheap. Large containers are so pricy, and these would be perfect for … Continue reading →

Posted in design, pots and containers | 4 Comments

coloring outside the lines; Hot Color, Dry Garden

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Denise

In her new book “Hot Color, Dry Garden,” botanist/biologist/educator Nan Sterman aims to reassure readers that in these uncertain, climactically challenging times for gardens in the drought-afflicted western U.S., there’s no need to scrimp on what compels us to make … Continue reading →

Posted in books, design, inspire me | Tagged dry garden, Hot Color, Nan Sterman | 6 Comments

garden employment openings at the Getty

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Denise

Two openings, head gardener and gardener. Deadline for applying is September 21, 2018. Descriptions of duties and job requirements follow: 8-21-18 Head Gardener, Getty Center or Getty Villa, Los Angeles, 9-21-18 deadline $24.16/hour. Work 76 hours every two weeks, typically … Continue reading →

Posted in commerce | Tagged Getty Center Los Angeles | 3 Comments

agricultural shade cloth is taken seriously in Ho Chi Minh City

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Denise

Neighbors have taken note of our traditional summer shade cloth improvisations (what Nishizawa Architects calls “vernacular uses”) and are now deploying their own shade cloth configurations in strategic locations over the sunniest areas of their deck. Along with shading work … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design, inspire me | Tagged Archdaily, climate change, Nishizawa Architects, Restaurant of Shade, shade cloth | 4 Comments

bloom day hack august 2018

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Denise

The ‘Mesa Peach’ gaillardias seem to be this year’s answer to my craving for a low-growing summer daisy that fits in nicely among the permanently resident aloes and agaves. Similar water and light requirements, not too extravagant in summer growth … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day, design | Tagged Coleus 'Henna', Coleus 'Inferno', Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar', succession planting, “Succession Planting for Year-Round Pleasure” | 8 Comments

take it outside

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Denise

The parents’ exasperation with our indoor hijinks always crescendoed in a bellow of “take it outside!” whereupon we would bang through the screendoor and tumble out into the womb-like, cul-de-sac’d streets of our Los Angeles suburb, joining up with the … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, edibles, MB Maher, photography | Tagged Aedes aegypti, cocktail Rome With A View, Daniel Perlof, Jason Witzl's Ellies restaurant, Lark Artisan Market, Lisa Gutierrerz-Martinez, MB Maher, outdoor dinner parties, Rhyme & Reason Catering | 6 Comments

good riddance to July, you hot and sultry thing

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Denise

And hello August! (what fresh hell do you have in store?) Unlike me, pedilanthus loves it when the heat and humidity are matchy-matchy numbers. I’ve been so worried that Yucca linearifolia would reject this container, which has already killed a … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Aechmea recurvata var. benrathrii, Agave 'Kissho Kan', Agave kershovei ‘Huajuapan Red', Agave xylonacantha, Aloe betsileensis, Aloe spicata, Calocephalus 'Silver Sand', Crassula 'Garnet Lotus', Ferocactus gracilis, Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta', Nan Sterman, Pacific Horticulture spring 2018, Pennisetum 'Cherry Sparkler', Potted For Outdoor Living, Saxon Holt | 6 Comments

of ponds and pyramids at Digging Dog Nursery

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Denise

Returning to the June 2018 visit to Mendocino for the Garden Conservancy Open Days, the second garden we visited belonged to Digging Dog Nursery, also the home of co-owners Deborah Whigham and Gary Ratway. The garden comprises five acres, the … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, design, garden travel, garden visit | Tagged Deborah Whigham, Digging Dog Nursery, Garden Conservancy Open Days, Garden Design magazine, Gary Ratway, Mendocino, rammed-earth structures, Thalictrum 'Elin' | 9 Comments