Monthly Archives: August 2013

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 , , , , , | 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 →

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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 , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , | 4 Comments

anatomy of a late-summer road trip

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Denise

Is there a tinge of desperation in the road trips of late summer? By the end of summer are we stuffing itineraries with an absurd number of places to see in the dwindling opportunities to experience daylight until 8 p.m.? … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, artists, design, edibles, garden travel, garden visit, MB Maher, plant nurseries, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Folly Bowl Presents

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Denise

Saturday, August 24, 2013, 7:30 p.m. $5 donation suggested. Contact: james.griffith4@gmail.com Part of a summer-long, outdoor concert series at the Folly Bowl, the hand-made amphitheater in Altadena, California, created by artists Sue Dadd and James Griffith. This just might be … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, artists, garden visit, MB Maher | Tagged , | 6 Comments

the packrat king

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Denise

If you’ve ever visited Lotusland, you’ll instantly know why I was drawn to these clamshells. Set up temporarily on a bird bath stand. I was hoping they’d hold a lot more water than they do. Sitting on the stand at … Continue reading →

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

Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony’

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Denise

Seen at the 2013 Inter-City Cactus & Succulent Show held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum over the weekend. Once again, on the show table, not the sales table. Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony,’ intensely desirable and chronically unavailable. Is it going … Continue reading →

Posted in Bulbs, plant nurseries, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

a garden with a roof

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Denise

I miss when Sundays were neatly divided by the sections of a thick Sunday newspaper that sprawled across tables, beds, and couches. The travel section might include articles like this one on the Buenos Aires home of Mercedes Hernáez and … Continue reading →

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driveby garden; LAPD headquarters, Downtown Los Angeles

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Denise

“The first five months of this year were the driest on record in California, with reservoirs in the state at 20 percent below normal levels.” – Arid Southwest Cities’ Plea: Lose the Lawn, The New York Times, August 11, 2013 … Continue reading →

Posted in design, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments