Author Archives: Denise

warm thoughts on formal gardens

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Denise

Have I mentioned how hot it’s been lately? It’s the kind of heat that gives a boho plant nut a deeper appreciation of the cool, austere lines of a formal garden. A garden built not on the scaffolding of flowers … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design, garden ornament, garden visit | Tagged Acacia podalyriifolia, California, formal gardens, Katherine Spitz, Katherine Spitz Associates, Mar Vista, mediterranean climate, pittosporum, Southern California | 2 Comments

September and its discontents

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Denise

Every September I’m startled by the heat this month brings. A heat that, if you’re not careful, can wick away inspiration. But then that’s what photos like this are for. Image found here At least two more months to go … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design | Tagged California, Philip Dixon, pools, Venice, water | 6 Comments

Yucca ‘Blue Boy’

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Denise

I’ve brought a couple home under the name Yucca aloifolia ‘Purpurea,’ but I’ve recently been seeing it tagged as Yucca desmetiana ‘Blue Boy,’ as it was here at Cornerstone Sonoma, in the Transcendence garden designed by Delmar McComb and Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden travel, garden visit, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged Cornerstone Gardens Sonoma, Delmar McComb, garden design, Peter Hanson, Yucca aloifolia 'Blue Boy', Yucca aloifolia 'Purpurea', Yucca desmetiana 'Blue Boy' | 9 Comments

counting on agaves

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Denise

No, I haven’t done a recent tally. But, boy, do they ever count when the days heat up and stay hot. Nothing looks as composed under the sun as an agave. Hard to say if their numbers are increasing, since … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers | Tagged Acacia podalyriifolia, Agave 'Snow Glow', Agave desmettiana 'Variegata', Agave parryi 'Cream Spike', Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan', Kelly Griffin | 7 Comments

scenes from Long Island

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Denise

It looks like the heat is fairly evenly distributed across the U.S. this Labor Day weekend. In between dipping into a steaming hot garden to cut back agastache, anthemis and senecio, I’m catching up on work and going through summer … Continue reading →

Posted in garden ornament, garden travel, garden visit, pots and containers | Tagged Aruncus aethusifolius, begonias, greenhouses, Knautia macedonia, Landcraft Environments, Long Island, Longhouse Reserve, Ltd., Lysimachia punctata, Madoo Conservancy, New York, Old Westbury Gardens, Solandra maxima, Vireya rhododendrons | 6 Comments

the controversial castor bean plant

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Denise

Ricinus communis, the castor bean/oil plant, is the freshest sight in this late-summer garden. Unlike the rest of us, the swampy heat of late August only improves its looks. The tree-like mother plant, a ‘New Zealand Purple,’ lived through our … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged castor bean plant, castor oil, cod liver oil, late summer garden, poisonous plants, Ricinus communis 'New Zealand Purple' | 7 Comments

fall-blooming salvias and where to find some

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Denise

I’ve been trying to scale the garden down, which means there will be no shed-sized, fall-blooming salvias this year like… Salvia involucrata, Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, the rosebud sage. Some of the salvias like a bit more moisture than I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in garden visit, Plant Portraits | Tagged Cornerstone Gardens Sonoma, Fullerton Arboretum salvia sale, Longwood Gardens, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Phylica pubescens, Salvia 'Indigo Spires', Salvia 'Waverly', Salvia 'wendy's Wish', Salvia africana-lutea, Salvia cacaliifolia, Salvia canariensis var. candissima, Salvia clevelandii, Salvia elegans 'Golden Delicious, Salvia involucrata, Salvia littae, Salvia macrophylla, Salvia madrensis, Salvia reptans West Texas Form, Salvia sclarea 'Piedmont', Salvia uliginosa, Salvia van houttei, Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain', Salvia wagneriana | 7 Comments

when art and gardens collide

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Denise

Those of us who chase gardens and plants seem to divide into two camps: Those who enjoy art works in the garden and those who don’t. Oftentimes, leaving out ostentatious decorative pieces is as bold a statement as their inclusion. … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, garden travel, garden visit | Tagged "Chinese Contemporary Warriors", "Red Lantern", Andy Cao, Cao Perrot Studio, Cornerstone Sonoma, Long Island, Longhouse Reserve, NY, the Connie Cross garden, Xavier Perrot, Yue Minjun | 4 Comments

tithonia and zinnias

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Denise

The last week temperatures have hovered mostly around 90 degrees, by far the warmest days we’ve seen all summer. Even though I’m none too pleased with the change, tomatoes, zucchini, tithonia and zinnias obviously are thrilled. I’m linking this post … Continue reading →

Posted in cut flowers, Occasional Daily Weather Report | Tagged Chasmanthium latifolium, gaillardia, Seasonal Bouquet Project, Senecio viravira, tithonia, zinnias | 4 Comments

anatomy of a late-summer road trip