Author Archives: Denise

notes on spring planting

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Denise

Though it may not be readily apparent, there really is something positive to say about the garden in January. I’ve been cutting back the grasses, and even allowing for the dozens of poppy seedlings that are emerging and staking a … Continue reading →

Posted in garden travel, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

concrete containers by Dustin Gimbel

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Denise

Dustin’s Facebook feed is showing lots of new work, and I just had to pop over to see what he’s been up to, even if it was almost too late in the afternoon for photos. Invariably, whenever I post on … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden ornament, garden visit, pots and containers | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wednesday clippings 1/6/16

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Denise

One storm down, five more or so to go. For the first time in a long while, the air smells incredibly fresh. January is always the perfect time for the shocking pink blooms on Pelargonium echinatum to arrive. A “Sundiascia” … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

blogger meetup at the Huntington

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Denise

I should have talked less and picked up the camera more at the meetup this past Saturday at the Huntington Botanical Garden, but that wouldn’t have been as much fun as our nonstop gabfest. The occasion for the meetup was … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden travel, garden visit, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

it’s oh so quiet

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Denise

The house has emptied out, and I can’t help thinking how oh so quiet it’s become after the holidays. Yes, I do have a tendency to privately editorialize on circumstances using song titles. (I thought Bjork wrote the song, but … Continue reading →

Posted in journal, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wallaby, the Nursery Dog

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Denise

When I last visited Austalian Native Plants Nursery this past June, I had the good fortune of meeting this little one: Jo O’Connell, the owner of ANPN, is devoted to the Blue Heeler breed, which originated out of her homeland … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, plant nurseries | 2 Comments

Occasional Daily Weather Report; winter solstice

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Denise

Happy Winter Solstice! Apparently, the place to be this shortest day of the year is Stonehenge. Here’s the personal, always emotional weather report: After a drizzly Saturday, a soft rain started falling again yesterday afternoon. All of which is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Weather Report, Plant Portraits | Tagged , | 8 Comments

I wish I had a river I could skate away on (reprise december 2013)

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Denise

This post from 2013 holds remarkably true for for this holiday, except yesterday at the flea market it was chilly enough for an extra sweater. And I did start a couple batches of cookies about 4 a.m. this morning:: Digging … Continue reading →

Posted in journal | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Origanum ‘Rotkugel’ (or ‘Herrenhausen’)

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Denise

I’ve often described this plant, what I’ve erroneously believed to be a calamint, as “oregano-esque.” chilly morning today Checking out High Country Gardens’ current sale offerings, I’m now fairly certain that I can drop the “esque.” This plant was shipped … Continue reading →

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

streetside succulent garden

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Denise

Some lucky neighborhoods have stimulating examples to study of successful front gardens made without a blade of lawn. This example is in my hometown, Long Beach, Calif, coastal zone 10, western exposure, December 2015, drought-stricken, irrigation restrictions imposed since last … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments