Category Archives: garden visit

reprising a 2010 visit to the Ruth Bancroft Garden

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Denise

(Ms. Bancroft is celebrating her 108th birthday this month — yes, that’s not a typo — and we’re all awaiting the upcoming launch later this fall of the book chronicling the making of her garden The Bold Dry Garden.) If … Continue reading →

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beyond the lawn; part 2

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Denise

“Leave, my friend (for it is high time), the low and sordid pursuits of life to others, and in this safe and snug retreat emancipate yourself for your studies.” — Pliny the Younger Another house on the Garden Conservancy Open … Continue reading →

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beyond the lawn; notes on 2016 LA Garden Conservancy Open Days

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Denise

Since the 5/7/16 tour, Gov. Jerry Brown surprised us all by announcing that mandatory water restrictions are now suspended except for agriculture. Water use policies will revert back to the local level. So pat yourself on the back for enduring … Continue reading →

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an abbreviated look at the 4/17/2016 Los Angeles APLD tour

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Denise

Of the eight gardens on the tour, divided into four in the morning, four in the afternoon, I visited six and drove by all of them. I’m including photos of just three gardens from this tour themed “The Watershed Approach … Continue reading →

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some upcoming events this weekend 4/30-5/1/16

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Denise

Tillandsias can perch just about anywhere with the right conditions, including on other plants. This weekend brings the Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden tour. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it, so if you go, link back here … Continue reading →

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an hour in San Francisco Botanical Garden in April

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Denise

At the Friend Gate, Ageratum corymbosum Bartlettina sordida (thanks, Mr. Feix!) with a Fuchsia magellanica. Or maybe thymifolia. I didn’t check. No time! A few weeks ago I had the rather condensed pleasure of visiting San Francisco’s Botanical Garden in … Continue reading →

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Greater Los Angeles APLD GardenTour 4/17/16

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Denise

On the tour: A garden designed by Joel Lichtenwalter and Ryan Gates of Grow Outdoor Design embodies the tour’s theme: “The Watershed Approach to Landscape Design” photo by MB Maher The garden I posted about here in 2013 will be … Continue reading →

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spring rush

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Denise

Last Sunday we roadtripped up the coast about two hours near Carpinteria, where Seaside Gardens was having a “Spring Fling.” The day before, Saturday, I drove myself two hours south to check out the San Diego Horticultural Society’s spring garden … Continue reading →

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a garden with Irish wolfhounds

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Denise

In Georgina Reid’s piece on Michael Cooke I found my antipodal soul-mate garden. Georgina (The Planthunter) visited the garden designer at his home on the Central Coast in New South Wales, Australia for The Design Files this March. Reading Michael’s … Continue reading →

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Flora & Bee

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Denise

In Sunset magazine this March 2016 is a profile of the home of garden designer Manda Galbraith, principal of Flora & Bee, located in Burien, Washington. (“How to design a vibrantly colorful garden.“) I’ll be looking again and again at … Continue reading →

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