Monthly Archives: June 2015
potted plants on the move
The summer containers in nondrought-stricken gardens can become quite a virtuoso display. I’ve understandably pared things down the past few years but am always amazed at how even a relatively small group of pots can exclaim “Summer!” All the pots … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, journal, pots and containers
Tagged Aeonium 'Cyclops', Agave 'Blue Flame', Chionanthus retusus, Corokia virgata 'Sunsplash', Cussonia spicata, Euphorbia ammak, Fortnam Gardens, Homecrest chairs, Los Angeles Harbor, Manihot esculenta 'Variegata', marine salvage, Maurizio Zucchi, MB Maher, Mina lobata, Potted's City Planter, Schefflera 'Amate Soleil', Shirley Watts, Streptosolen jamesonii, Warehouse No. 1, Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'
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the indomitable Lotusland
Following the blue glass slag-lined path on a recent visit to Lotusland in Montecito, Calif. We came upon the startling sight of a greenhouse in the jungle. Not startling in the expected, operatically flamboyant Lotusland sense, but because it was … Continue reading
Monday clippings 6/22/15
It’s almost the end of the month, a good time to unpack some random June impressions. Dustin’s potted Aloe ‘Johnson’s Hybrid,’ the mother of my little one I mentioned recently. See how spectacular? Blooms nearly year-round, and Dustin says it’s … Continue reading
Seaside Gardens, Carpinteria, Calif.
By now it’s fairly obvious that visiting plant nurseries and gardens are two of my favorite pursuits. The ultimate in garden touring is possible when occasionally, though all too rarely, both pursuits can be accomplished at one location. The list … Continue reading
Bloom Day June 2015
I documented the extent of the back garden earlier in the month. It’s pretty clear it’s a battle for inches here. Relatively cool, overcast June means I’m still shifting plants around and planting some new stuff too. I’ve been playing … Continue reading
Posted in Bloom Day
Tagged Agapanthus 'Gold Strike', Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Aloe scobinifolia, Anigo, Anigozanthos 'Yellow Gem', Arctotis 'Flame', Asarina scandens, Australian Native Plants Nursery, Brilliantasia subulugarica, Crithmum maritimum, Dustin Gimbel, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', Emilia javanica, Gerbera 'Drakensberg Gold', Glaucium grandiflorum, Gomphrena 'Balboa', Gomphrena 'Fireworks', Jo O'Connell, Lavandula minutolli, Leucadendron 'Ebony', Lomandra 'Breeze', Lotus jacobaeus, Pelargonium sidoides, Pennisetum 'Skyrocket', Phormium 'Apricot Queen', Phygelius 'Diablo', Plectranthus neochilus, Salvia 'Love and Wishes', Sphaeralcea 'Newleaze Coral', Stachys 'Bella Grigio'
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terraced Spanish Colonial Revival house & garden
For those of you who enjoy gawking at houses and their gardens as much as I do, here’s a look at the house that belongs with this post from September 2014. I don’t think I looked up much from the … Continue reading
traditional with a twist
Here’s another house nearby that warrants a second look and always brings a smile. It’s the traditional front lawn setup with a bit of a twist. All the supporting plants are exclusively dry garden plants, some rare like the cycads. … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, Plant Portraits, pots and containers
Tagged cycads, dry gardens, lawns
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Pepper Tree courtyard
Spotted locally around dusk, a front-house courtyard with Pepper Tree (Schinus molle), stone paving “grouted” with Dymondia margaretae. Planting includes euphorbias, agaves, phormiums (or dianella) a small Cercis ‘Forest Pansy,’ and purple irises in bloom near the side gate. There … Continue reading
more on the east fence
I might as well continue with the east fence, the dark blue/black of which can be seen in the distance looking under the pergola. The pots shown yesterday are on the brick patio to the left of the cypresses, and … Continue reading
the east fence
In case I’ve left the impression my only collection of pots resides on that little table under the pergola, there are more. Lots more. This group of pots lines the east fence. Morning shade, afternoon sun. The topmost plant in … Continue reading