Monthly Archives: June 2015

potted plants on the move

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Denise

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' | 14 Comments

the indomitable Lotusland

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in garden visit | Tagged Ganna Walska, greenhouse, Lotusland | 7 Comments

Monday clippings 6/22/15

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged 50th CSSA Annual Show and Sale JUNE 26-28, Aloe 'Johnson's Hybrid', Euphorbia am, Euphorbia tirucalli, Rancho Reubidoux Open House 6/20/15, Reuben Munoz, Rob Roy MacGregor, Solandra maxima | 11 Comments

Seaside Gardens, Carpinteria, Calif.

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in garden travel, garden visit, plant nurseries | Tagged Alstroemeria 'The Third Harmonic', Leucadendron salignum ‘Summer Red’, Lysiloma thornberi, Salvia cacaliifolia, Seaside Gardens | 10 Comments

Bloom Day June 2015

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Denise

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' | 12 Comments

terraced Spanish Colonial Revival house & garden

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, garden visit, pots and containers | Tagged Huntington Botanical Garden International Succulent Introductions, Sesleria 'Greenlee', Sesleria autumnalis 'Campo Verde' | 3 Comments

traditional with a twist

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Denise

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 | 10 Comments

Pepper Tree courtyard

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, pots and containers | Tagged Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy', courtyards, Dymondia margaretae, lawn substitutes, Schinus molle | 8 Comments

more on the east fence

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in garden visit, journal | Tagged Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea', Aeonium 'Cyclops', Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor', Aloe scobinifolia, Cupressus macrocarpa 'Citriodora', Ficus pumila, Olearia virgata v. lineata 'Dartonii | 9 Comments

the east fence

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Denise

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 →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged 2015, aeoniums, Agave 'Boutin's Blue', Asparagus retrofractus, Carex trifida 'Rekohu Sunrise, dry gardens, eucomis, Rancho Reubidoux Open House 6/20/15 | 8 Comments