Author Archives: Denise

CMU bench/planter at Manaow

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Denise

I finally found a moment when Manaow’s CMU bench/planter could be investigated minus the usual throngs of people. That window of quiet was around 7 a.m. in the morning, when the only activity at this east end of Broadway was … Continue reading →

Posted in design, driveby gardens, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Agave victoriae-reginae, California, CMU concrete masonry unit, Long Beach, Manaow Restaurant | 15 Comments

Aeonium ‘Copper Penny’ for containers and garden

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Denise

This clump-forming, bronzy aeonium spent last summer as underplanting for a potted manihot with Sedum confusum. The dry-tolerant manihots make a nice light canopy, which helps to prevent sun scalding on succulents, whether potted or in the ground. The list … Continue reading →

Posted in pots and containers, succulents | Tagged Aeonium 'Copper Penny', Manihot grahamii | 6 Comments

clippings, 4th of July

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Denise

My neighbors have been diligently practicing for 4th of July celebrations since May, the little darlings. Fireworks are illegal here, a fact which obviously adds zest to surreptitious, after-dark escapades ending in window-rattling booms and blasts. Seeing as it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings | Tagged Agave 'Mr. Ripple', Agave americana var. striata, Dichondra argentea., Eryngium pandanifolium, Euphorbia pseudocactus 'Zigzag', Pleioblastus viridistriatus 'Chrysophyllus', Pseudobombax ellipticum | 9 Comments

sacred geometry of the spiral aloe

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Denise

June 2015 Dave’s spiral aloe is sporting some fine sacred geometry. He sent me these photos to show the progress his aloe has made since I photographed it in July 2012: “I came across your Bloom Day July 2012 posting … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged Aloe polyphylla, MB Maher, sacred geometry, spiral aloe, Terra Sol Garden Center, things that spiral | 10 Comments

potted plants on the move

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Denise

The summer containers in nondrought-stricken gardens can become quite a virtuoso display. I’ve understandably pared things down the past few years but am always amazed at how even a relatively small group of pots can exclaim “Summer!” All the pots … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, journal, pots and containers | Tagged Aeonium 'Cyclops', Agave 'Blue Flame', Chionanthus retusus, Corokia virgata 'Sunsplash', Cussonia spicata, Euphorbia ammak, Fortnam Gardens, Homecrest chairs, Los Angeles Harbor, Manihot esculenta 'Variegata', marine salvage, Maurizio Zucchi, MB Maher, Mina lobata, Potted's City Planter, Schefflera 'Amate Soleil', Shirley Watts, Streptosolen jamesonii, Warehouse No. 1, Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger' | 14 Comments

the indomitable Lotusland

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Denise

Following the blue glass slag-lined path on a recent visit to Lotusland in Montecito, Calif. We came upon the startling sight of a greenhouse in the jungle. Not startling in the expected, operatically flamboyant Lotusland sense, but because it was … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit | Tagged Ganna Walska, greenhouse, Lotusland | 7 Comments

Monday clippings 6/22/15

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Denise

It’s almost the end of the month, a good time to unpack some random June impressions. Dustin’s potted Aloe ‘Johnson’s Hybrid,’ the mother of my little one I mentioned recently. See how spectacular? Blooms nearly year-round, and Dustin says it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged 50th CSSA Annual Show and Sale JUNE 26-28, Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Euphorbia am, Euphorbia tirucalli, Rancho Reubidoux Open House 6/20/15, Reuben Munoz, Rob Roy MacGregor, Solandra maxima | 11 Comments

Seaside Gardens, Carpinteria, Calif.

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Denise

By now it’s fairly obvious that visiting plant nurseries and gardens are two of my favorite pursuits. The ultimate in garden touring is possible when occasionally, though all too rarely, both pursuits can be accomplished at one location. The list … Continue reading →

Posted in garden travel, garden visit, plant nurseries | Tagged Alstroemeria 'The Third Harmonic', Leucadendron salignum ‘Summer Red’, Lysiloma thornberi, Salvia cacaliifolia, Seaside Gardens | 10 Comments

Bloom Day June 2015

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Denise

I documented the extent of the back garden earlier in the month. It’s pretty clear it’s a battle for inches here. Relatively cool, overcast June means I’m still shifting plants around and planting some new stuff too. I’ve been playing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day | Tagged Agapanthus 'Gold Strike', Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Aloe scobinifolia, Anigo, Anigozanthos 'Yellow Gem', Arctotis 'Flame', Asarina scandens, Australian Native Plants Nursery, Brilliantasia subulugarica, Crithmum maritimum, Dustin Gimbel, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', Emilia javanica, Gerbera 'Drakensberg Gold', Glaucium grandiflorum, Gomphrena 'Balboa', Gomphrena 'Fireworks', Jo O'Connell, Lavandula minutolli, Leucadendron 'Ebony', Lomandra 'Breeze', Lotus jacobaeus, Pelargonium sidoides, Pennisetum 'Skyrocket', Phormium 'Apricot Queen', Phygelius 'Diablo', Plectranthus neochilus, Salvia 'Love and Wishes', Sphaeralcea 'Newleaze Coral', Stachys 'Bella Grigio' | 12 Comments

terraced Spanish Colonial Revival house & garden

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Denise

For those of you who enjoy gawking at houses and their gardens as much as I do, here’s a look at the house that belongs with this post from September 2014. I don’t think I looked up much from the … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, garden visit, pots and containers | Tagged Huntington Botanical Garden International Succulent Introductions, Sesleria 'Greenlee', Sesleria autumnalis 'Campo Verde' | 3 Comments