Author Archives: Denise

15th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour April 14 & 15 — a giveaway

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Denise

This weekend is the 15th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour, Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and if you’ve been paying attention (thank you!) Saturday, April 14, is also the day we’re … Continue reading →

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a Laura Morton garden on the 2018 APLD tour

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Denise

On last weekend’s APLD “A River Runs Through It” tour, the “Blue Bayou” garden (cue Roy Orbison) designed by Laura Morton looked like “Party Central” to me. I volunteered as a docent for this garden so had ample time to … Continue reading →

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A River Runs Through It; A New Landscape Paradigm April 7/8

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Denise

Day 1, Speaker Forum: Saturday, April 7th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Descanso Gardens. Day 2, the 3rd Annual Garden Tour: Sunday, April 8th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm. There could not be a more well-timed moment for the Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ … Continue reading →

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ranunculus now

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Denise

The ranunculus lovers among us are often encouraged to try growing them ourselves. And in Southern California, it’s totally do-able, especially if you have a dedicated cutting garden and can treat them as ephemerals, like tulips. Ranuncs love our sunny, … Continue reading →

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spring rush 2018

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Denise

Can you believe spring is here? Maybe it’s not full-on spring yet in your neck of the woods, but I’ve been on a tear the past few days, covering a lot of counties, San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles, just … Continue reading →

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banksia love

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Denise

My little Banksia repens in the front gravel garden is looking really happy after the recent rains. A good soaking of sweet spring rain is the perfect launch to its second summer in the garden, hopefully another successful one. No … Continue reading →

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wednesday vignette 3/21/18

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Denise

When I last visited the Huntington a couple weeks ago, I mentioned to my friend that I had yet to visit the new Chinese Garden. (I should say “newish,” because the first phase was completed ten years ago!) That’s some … Continue reading →

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Monday clippings 3/19/18 (upcoming pop-up!)

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Denise

On the heels of these most welcome, intermittent March rains, the poppies have exploded into growth and tumbled quickly into bloom. Papaver setigerum, a friend of the garden since at least 2010, like all annual poppies, ultimately transforms itself into … Continue reading →

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the week in plants 3/16/18

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Denise

I’m seeing Euphorbia rigida in bloom on all the garden blogs now, in my own garden, and here at the Entrance Garden at the Huntington Botanical Garden. The euphorbia is seen here with Sea Squill, Urginea maritima, a bulb that … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, garden travel, garden visit, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , | 7 Comments

outdoor bias

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Denise

I admit to a strong design bias towards how a dwelling interacts with the outdoors. An exterior focus, if you will. Don’t ask me why. I’ll whip through on-line home tours, acknowledge a nice chair or rug or staircase, and … Continue reading →

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