Category Archives: journal
taking stock of the runaway garden
I know “runaway garden” is an oxymoron, but even so the SoCal garden (zone 10) seems to have been on a journey without me, cycling through various caretakers, some benign, some less so. The last few days have been the … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, journal, pots and containers, succulents
11 Comments
soaking it all in
Even though I’m the main instigator, this late-season crescendo of growth astonishes me. While the garden has morphed into a late-season mosh pit, there has been one summer-long standout that still rises above and coolly surveys the garden’s autumnal slugfest: … Continue reading
Posted in journal, Oregon garden, Plant Portraits
7 Comments
September surprises
I’m not referring to surprises in the sense of predicted late-season arrivals, but just the generic, built-in unpredictability of plants we choose for our gardens. A plant’s performance can be dramatically different just down the street, not to mention spanning … Continue reading
Posted in journal, Oregon garden
9 Comments
long summer days
After three years, these long summer days still amaze me. These photos were taken at 9 p.m. last night! On the 4th fireworks were useless until well after 10 p.m. — but that didn’t stop the neighbors. Loud booms are … Continue reading
Posted in journal, Oregon garden
7 Comments
Three years in a zone 8 garden (toddler phase)
I broke my shovel yesterday, the trusty decades’ old one I brought up north. There’s a metaphor there somewhere. It’s seen a lot of action, especially this spring/early summer. The back garden has left behind that deliciously expectant phase, like … Continue reading
Posted in journal, Oregon garden
6 Comments
June 13, 2024, Oregon Coast
Even without much heat, it feels as though we’ve reached that turning point when spring finally retreats and summer growth gains the upper hand, if only by virtue of sheer day length. It’s light out til 9:30 p.m. now! In … Continue reading
Posted in journal, Oregon garden
10 Comments
mid-May 2024 Oregon Coast
Morning is always my favorite time in the garden, with the plants softly exhaling into the warming air while the sun slowly traces its way through tree canopies and clouds. The surrounding town is quiet while I study the garden … Continue reading
Posted in cut flowers, journal, Oregon garden
10 Comments
more camas, please
This last Sunday of April has been misty and rainy, the same conditions since mid-week. Until the rains returned last Wednesday, I personally felt we had gone too long without rain (almost a week). But I know the farmers were … Continue reading
Posted in Bulbs, journal, Oregon garden
9 Comments
new to me; Fritillaria persica and others
Last spring a local nursery had planted whiskey barrels with Fritillaria persica. Which jarred me into the realization that I could too, that fritillaries were a green light on the Oregon coast. This March it is such a kick to … Continue reading
Posted in Bulbs, journal, Oregon garden
8 Comments
late but great
Some of the feelings about my late summer/fall garden this year can be broken down into two categories: 1) What took you so long? and 2) Wow, you look so fresh! I’ve been both irritated by tardiness and appreciative of … Continue reading
Posted in design, journal, Oregon garden, Plant Portraits
8 Comments