Author Archives: Denise

DIY therapy

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Denise

One of my boys is experiencing some painful romantic complications, which is frustrating for both of us because in grappling with the problem I necessarily have to accept the fact that my boys are now men. But he hurts, therefore … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Agave bracteosa, Strobilanthes gossypinus | 13 Comments

Lotusland’s abalone shell pond

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Denise

More from my Lotusland visit this past June. In my guided tour group was a friendly couple with a serious selfie habit, expressed at every turn in a path, at every new feature. We ended up exploring the garden at … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit | Tagged Lotusland | 14 Comments

aftermath of the Inter-City Show & Sale

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Denise

As a kid, sneaking with my best friend into the unoccupied bedroom of her older sister and marveling at her sophisticated possessions, I still vividly remember finding the Rolling Stones’ album “Aftermath.” The older sister immediately rose several degrees cooler … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Aeonium 'Mardi Gras', Aeonium tabuliforme, Agave guadalajarana, Echeveria agavoides 'Ebony', Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubrispinus, Gymnocalycium ragonesei, Inter-City Cactus Show & Sale 2015, Opuntia microdasys, Stenocactus tricuspidatus | 13 Comments

Inter-City Cactus Show & Sale August 8 & 9, 2015

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Denise

Thank goodness there’s a big plant sale to look forward to in August. 30th Annual Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale The LA County Arboretum in Ayres Hall 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 Saturday, August 8, 2015, … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Inter-City Cactus Show & Sale 2015, Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Rolling Greens | 3 Comments

The landscape at Pitzer College; The John R. Rodman Arboretum

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Denise

“It’s difficult to sum up the Arboretum in a phrase… Perhaps the core is a search for a third way between the two traditional American paths: the exploitation of nature and the worship of a sacred, untouchable nature … a … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden visit, succulents | Tagged Arboretum & Grounds Manager, Cactus & Succulent Society of America, dry gardens, Joe Clements, Pitzer College | 16 Comments

what am I missing?

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Denise

August 2013 I’m happy with the garden this summer, and there’s not much I would change, other than doubling its size if I could. And if I could, then I’d find a spot again for Persicaria amplexicaulis. It loves the … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged ' Amicia zygomeris, Calandrinia spectabilis, Geranium 'Dragon Heart', Libertia peregrinans, Lobelia tupa, Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Red Dragon', Persicaria amplexicaulis, Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain', Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' | 11 Comments

scenes from Lotusland; the Lemon Arbor

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Denise

Since I snapped hundreds, I’ll probably be trickling out photos of my June visit to Lotusland for months to come. The Eureka lemon tree arbor, planted in 1988, is probably one of the more sedate and traditional features of Lotusland. … Continue reading →

Posted in edibles, garden travel, garden visit | Tagged California, Lotusland, Madame Ganna Walska, Montecito | 3 Comments

CSSA road trip June 2015

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Denise

Enormous Quiver Tree, Aloidendron dichotoma, and cycads in a Fallbrook, California private garden It’s so true that passion bestows courage on the meek. A passion for plants put me on a bus one early Wednesday last June, a bus filled … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden visit, succulents | Tagged Aloidendron dichotoma, Cactus and Succulent Society of America, Claremont garden of Rico Leon, cycads, Debra Lee Baldwin, Field Guide to Cactus & Succulents of Arizona, Loran Whitelock, Orange Coast College Horticulture Department, Vonn Watkins | 15 Comments

summer camp state of mind

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Denise

I never attended summer camp as a kid, but family camping trips always included my grandmother, a kitchen’s worth of pots and pans, and her sturdy army cot. Thus equipped, my formidable grandmother was ready for anything and wanted nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in journal | Tagged Arctotis 'Flame', camping cots, canvas camp stool, Glaucium grandiflorum, Long Beach harbor, Los Angeles Harbor | 18 Comments

Bloom Day July 2015

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Denise

The planting under the Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ is all fairly new, except for the Plectranthus neochilus. Stinky or not, it’s a great addition to a dry garden. Gomphrena ‘Balboa’ is the clover-like flowers with silver leaves, which blends in seamlessly … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, pots and containers | Tagged Abutilon venosum, Agave 'Snow Glow', Agave franzosinii, Agave gypsophila 'Ivory Curls', Agave vilmoriniana, Aloe distans, Aristida purpurea, Berkheya purpurea, Cordyline ‘Electric Star’, Cosmos ‘Double Click Cranberry', Crithmum maritimum, Eryngium pandanifolium, Gaura 'Belleza', Glaucium grandiflorum, Gnidia polystacha, Pelargonium sidoides, Pennisetum 'Sky Rocket', Phygelius 'Diablo', Plectranthus neochilus, Ruellia macrantha, Sesleria autumnalis 'Campo Verde', Sonchus congestus, Sphaeralcea 'Newleaze Coral', Yucca aloifolia 'Blue Boy' | 16 Comments