Author Archives: Denise

discovering The Potting Shed on a Lark at Sourced Collective

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Denise

There’s retail that does vintage and architectural finds well, and there’s retail that does plants well. Haven’t you wished somebody with a passion for both would combine them under one roof? I know I have. Consider it handled by The … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, commerce, cut flowers, design, edibles, garden ornament, MB Maher, photography, plant nurseries, shop talk | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

growing up with palms

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Denise

After checking out the CSSA sale at the Huntington recently, per usual, I roamed around the botanical gardens for a while, clutching my little box with the newly acquired Euphorbia clavigera. I must have juggled that euphorbia and my camera … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Cheryl Molnar’s Unnatural Settings

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Denise

I’ve been thinking about collages lately and have tentatively started to collect bits and pieces to get started, all referring to landscapes of course. And then I find this riveting image that I keep going back to by self-described “collage … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, garden travel | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

in memory of a stout-hearted and true friend, December 2002-June 2017

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Denise
Posted in creatures | Tagged | 13 Comments

summer read: The Bold Dry Garden

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Denise

Yes, this book on the making of The Ruth Bancroft Garden came out and was purchased by me last fall, but I’ve only recently sat down to read it cover to cover. The Bold Dry Garden; Lessons from The Ruth … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, books, photography, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

“Night Sky, Palm” by Eric Beltz

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Denise

Eric Beltz, “Night Sky, Palm” (Eric Beltz and CB1 Gallery) I’m guessing it’s an affinity for the intricate, geometric beauty of plants that draws me to the mesmerizing graphite drawings of artist Eric Beltz. You can read more in The … Continue reading →

Posted in artists | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

mail order summer plant sales

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Denise

A couple of nurseries in my inbox are having massive summer sales at the moment. Agave titanota ‘Banana Peel,’ photo from Plant Delights. I was surprised at how many agaves they’ve included in their sale. It’s a great way to … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, plant nurseries | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

leaning cussonias

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Denise

Right up there with rampant vines, another example of one of my current garden anxieties is the sharp northward lean on my Cussonia gamtoosensis. Will it ultimately do a face plant or won’t it? And if it does, will it … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Solanum valerianum ‘Navidad, Jalisco’

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Denise

I just don’t know what to think about this vine. First of all, let me be clear that I love the opulence of this solanum’s pendulous, grape-cluster-like performance. With its ropy swags of purply bloom, it is truly like living … Continue reading →

Posted in plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

clippings 6/14/17

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Denise

Some quick odds and ends. This is an old photo from the Theodore Payne tour a couple months back, of Artemisia ‘David’s Choice’ and clarkia, one of those fleeting moments in spring that indelibly sears the visual cortex. Last weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments