Category Archives: creatures

scenes from early October

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Denise

We’ll be heading south sooner than I’d like to take care of some much-needed upkeep on the 1919 bungalow. October has brought serial days of 100-degree heat to Southern California, so it’s definitely time to install a heat pump. It’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, Oregon garden | 6 Comments

rainiest December in LA history

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Denise

Los Angeles is having its rainiest December ever, which has everyone on edge because wildfire-scarred land doesn’t absorb rain well and tends toward runoff. A good portion of this rainy munificence fell inconveniently on heavy travel days over the 24th, … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, creatures, Los Angeles garden post 2024, succulents | 7 Comments

meet Billie

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Denise

She’s a little sleepy right now, which is the best time to point a camera at her. Born January 9, 2021, we picked her up on March 13. Just this morning I noticed how she’s becoming less madcap puppy and … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, journal | Tagged | 8 Comments

plants and rocks; the basics

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Denise

If your idea of a good life means being surrounded by plants, chances are you love having a few rocks around too, even if only in a haphazard, barely intentional way. Perhaps small rock mementos from travels naturally seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, creatures, design, essay, MB Maher, succulents | 5 Comments

suburbitat

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Denise

“Formed in 2001, HPEC has grown into a multifaceted organization that works to create sustainable landscapes, restore native plant communities and provide habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife amid development.” Back in June a bunch of garden bloggers visited … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, creatures, design, garden travel, plant nurseries, science | Tagged | 9 Comments

in memory of a stout-hearted and true friend, December 2002-June 2017

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Denise
Posted in creatures | Tagged | 13 Comments

Bloom Day May 2017 (and assorted garden projects)

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Denise

Photo taken last night, when I still hoped I could squeak this post in under the Bloom Day deadline, the 15th of every month, and be righteously on time, but it was not to be. Flash of red is from … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, climate, creatures, cut flowers, design, MB Maher, pots and containers, shop talk, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

a garden visit with bixbybotanicals

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Denise

It all started with a very sweet and generous offer of some foliage for vases. Via bixbybotanicals Instagram, I learned that his Leucadendron ‘Wilson’s Wonder’ was in full winter dress, and he was willing to share some of the largesse … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, creatures, garden visit, MB Maher, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Wallaby, the Nursery Dog

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Denise

When I last visited Austalian Native Plants Nursery this past June, I had the good fortune of meeting this little one: Jo O’Connell, the owner of ANPN, is devoted to the Blue Heeler breed, which originated out of her homeland … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, plant nurseries | 2 Comments

bug report & EOMV

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Denise

“None of the ants previously seen by man were more than an inch in length – most considerably under that size. But even the most minute of them have an instinct and talent for industry, social organization, and savagery that … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, creatures, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments