Author Archives: Denise

traditional with a twist

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Denise

Here’s another house nearby that warrants a second look and always brings a smile. It’s the traditional front lawn setup with a bit of a twist. All the supporting plants are exclusively dry garden plants, some rare like the cycads. … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Pepper Tree courtyard

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Denise

Spotted locally around dusk, a front-house courtyard with Pepper Tree (Schinus molle), stone paving “grouted” with Dymondia margaretae. Planting includes euphorbias, agaves, phormiums (or dianella) a small Cercis ‘Forest Pansy,’ and purple irises in bloom near the side gate. There … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, pots and containers | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

more on the east fence

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Denise

I might as well continue with the east fence, the dark blue/black of which can be seen in the distance looking under the pergola. The pots shown yesterday are on the brick patio to the left of the cypresses, and … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit, journal | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

the east fence

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Denise

In case I’ve left the impression my only collection of pots resides on that little table under the pergola, there are more. Lots more. This group of pots lines the east fence. Morning shade, afternoon sun. The topmost plant in … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

friday clippings 6/5/15

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Denise

Late spring conversation at our house sums up living in a “mixed” household (gardeners/nongardeners): Duncan, from the back porch: Whatcha doin’ out there? Me, from deep in the garden: Sitting in a field of poppies. Duncan (scanning for alleged field … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, Bulbs, clippings, shop talk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

just a few more plants

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Denise

“In living, we accumulate. We admire. We desire. We love. We collect. We display.” — “Let’s Celebrate the Art of Clutter,” Dominique Browning More recent acquisitions cluttering up the table under the pergola. There’s still room for a couple pair … Continue reading →

Posted in pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

favorite plants and an end-of-week nursery browse 5/29/15

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Denise

All the new and interesting dry garden shrubs on the smallish side seem to be coming from Annie’s Annuals & Perennials. Gnidia polystacha from South Africa is a light-limbed shrub with needle-like leaves that readily give away its Thymelaeaceae family … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, plant nurseries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

the Leonotis leonurus down the street

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Denise

This Lion’s Tail is thriving in the front garden of a neighbor who took advantage of the first wave of lawn removal rebates offered a few years ago by our local water department. I”ve been personally characterizing the latest round … Continue reading →

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

low and green

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Denise

I’ve got to say it’s been a long time coming, but it’s still just a tiny bit surreal to wake up every day to more MSM coverage on lawns, and by extension, the plants that will have to replace lawns. … Continue reading →

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

small garden, tough choices

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Denise

“I reckon there are 5 seasons. There’s an early spring, which I call Sprinter…a Sprummer which comes after that for 2 months…There’s a long summer…a short autumn, a short winter – both just two months long, and then you’re back … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, design, journal, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments