Monthly Archives: February 2014

Shirley Watts in “Curbed”

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Denise

The Garden Bloggers Fling hostess for the 2013 meetup, garden designer Shirley Watts, got a nice writeup in the Bay Area’s Curbed today. Very gratifying to see a primarily real estate magazine throw some love at landscapes and gardens too. … Continue reading →

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community garden 2/26/14

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Denise

After sowing some borlotti beans late afternoon in anticipation of rain, I tracked down all the sweet peas in bloom in neighboring plots. The results of my sweet pea safari: And I always stop to admire how Scarlet Flax has … Continue reading →

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agaves love company

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Denise

At least I think they do, because I’m forcing them to get along. It might be closer to the truth to admit that it’s me that loves the company of agaves. Because if that’s love Mr. Ripple is showing the … Continue reading →

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What to do with your lawn when there’s a drought

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Denise

Just lose the lawn and don’t look back. And if and when rainfall in California ever gets back to normal levels, which isn’t much anyway, you just might realize you want your lawn back about as much as you want … Continue reading →

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parklets

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Denise

“The more successfully a city mingles everyday diversity of uses and users in its everyday streets, the more successfully, casually (and economically) its people thereby enliven and support well-located parks that can thus give back grace and delight to their … Continue reading →

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back at the ranch

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Denise

All day long this past work- and appointment-filled Wednesday I clung to the idea of fitting in a short visit to Rancho Los Alamitos. I’d heard there were some changes with the barns, and there was a new foal, all … Continue reading →

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Modernism Week in Palm Springs

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Denise

It’s Modernism Week in Palm Springs, so what architectural gem did I visit? A Wexler steel house? Maybe a Neutra? Nope, but I did visit a cactarium, the world’s first. The cactarium belongs to the Moorten Botanical Garden, a small, … Continue reading →

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Bloom Day February 2014

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Denise

I wonder if I’d get tired of a garden with nothing but chartreuse flowers for months on end. I suppose it’s possible. Helleborus argutifolius. Tough and beautiful, doesn’t complain, doesn’t expect any special treatment. All stellar attributes. Incredibly promiscuous in … Continue reading →

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mon petit chou

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Denise

Members of the cabbage family were especially alluring at my community garden yesterday. No wonder “my little cabbage” is a French expression of affection. This dry, sunny winter seems to agree with them. Such a good-looking family. Exquisite chartreuse florets … Continue reading →

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echeverias in a vase

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Denise

Valentine’s Day quiz: A small vase holds the short stem of a ruffly rosette that’s not a flower. What can it be? a) some kind of kale b) I don’t know, but whatever it is it’s monstrous and obscene c) … Continue reading →

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