Author Archives: Denise

Senecio tropaeolifolius

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Denise

Every once in a while I find a familiar plant grown with such sympathy for the plant’s innate qualities and needs that it feels like I’m really seeing it for the first time. Sunset Nursery, at Sunset Boulevard near Hillhurst, … Continue reading →

Posted in plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , | 2 Comments

let’s get potted for the holidays

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Denise

Doesn’t that sound like a great idea? Oh, right, there’s still shopping to do. Malls, catalogues…these holiday shopping options for me are usually a) nerve-wracking b) spirit crushing c) oftentimes both. I’ve been working up near Griffith Park, off Los … Continue reading →

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

commercial landscape

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Denise

Some commercial and business office plantings are really stepping up their game. Here’s another example of good plantsmanship I’m seeing around town. Nicely done, I think. Ribbons of succulents along stone walkways, arbutus, olives, furcraea embedded in blankets of westringia. … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, succulents | 5 Comments

nursery hopping in December

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Denise

Pulling into a favorite nursery’s driveway yesterday, I could already see from the street it’s a madhouse. I’d completely forgotten the split personality most nurseries take on in December. The usually empty parking lot is not only full of cars, … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings, plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

winter shadow

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Denise

Winter light and winter shadows naturally fill my thoughts this time of year. This marrubium is lucky to be in full sun all year. Some of the silvers are trapped during winter in a band of shade that descends on … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, Occasional Daily Weather Report, pots and containers, succulents | 8 Comments

thanks

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Denise

And have a great holiday. Goldenrod, feverfew, olive, and eucalyptus.

Posted in cut flowers | 8 Comments

some dry garden plants

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Denise

When I planted this slipper plant (Pedilanthus bracteatus, from Mexico) into the back garden last October, I knew that it would necessarily change the character of the plantings surrrounding it. Everything would have to become even more dry tolerant. For … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Wednesday vignette

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Denise

A couple of loose ideas came together this morning in a slowburn, sleepy kind of way. I’ve been envious of large stands of Agave attenuata around town, wishing I could grab a crown for dramatic inclusion in a large vase, … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, cut flowers, pots and containers | Tagged | 9 Comments

Bloom Day November 2015

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Denise

A blustery day for a change, this November Bloom Day. I hope it finds you safe and warm. Daytime temperatures dropping out of the 80s have forced the realization that summer is truly over. Yesterday we cleaned the house top … Continue reading →

Posted in succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

roll out the barrel(s)

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Denise

I know spiky agaves in the garden make some people nervous, but lovers of architectural plants for the dry garden can get into a lot more trouble than an agave. The golden barrel cactus has recently gotten under my skin, … Continue reading →

Posted in MB Maher, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments