Monthly Archives: December 2015

it’s oh so quiet

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Denise

The house has emptied out, and I can’t help thinking how oh so quiet it’s become after the holidays. Yes, I do have a tendency to privately editorialize on circumstances using song titles. (I thought Bjork wrote the song, but … Continue reading →

Posted in journal, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wallaby, the Nursery Dog

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Denise

When I last visited Austalian Native Plants Nursery this past June, I had the good fortune of meeting this little one: Jo O’Connell, the owner of ANPN, is devoted to the Blue Heeler breed, which originated out of her homeland … Continue reading →

Posted in creatures, plant nurseries | 2 Comments

Occasional Daily Weather Report; winter solstice

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Denise

Happy Winter Solstice! Apparently, the place to be this shortest day of the year is Stonehenge. Here’s the personal, always emotional weather report: After a drizzly Saturday, a soft rain started falling again yesterday afternoon. All of which is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Weather Report, Plant Portraits | Tagged , | 8 Comments

I wish I had a river I could skate away on (reprise december 2013)

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Denise

This post from 2013 holds remarkably true for for this holiday, except yesterday at the flea market it was chilly enough for an extra sweater. And I did start a couple batches of cookies about 4 a.m. this morning:: Digging … Continue reading →

Posted in journal | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Origanum ‘Rotkugel’ (or ‘Herrenhausen’)

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Denise

I’ve often described this plant, what I’ve erroneously believed to be a calamint, as “oregano-esque.” chilly morning today Checking out High Country Gardens’ current sale offerings, I’m now fairly certain that I can drop the “esque.” This plant was shipped … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

streetside succulent garden

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Denise

Some lucky neighborhoods have stimulating examples to study of successful front gardens made without a blade of lawn. This example is in my hometown, Long Beach, Calif, coastal zone 10, western exposure, December 2015, drought-stricken, irrigation restrictions imposed since last … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Senecio tropaeolifolius

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Denise

Every once in a while I find a familiar plant grown with such sympathy for the plant’s innate qualities and needs that it feels like I’m really seeing it for the first time. Sunset Nursery, at Sunset Boulevard near Hillhurst, … Continue reading →

Posted in plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , | 2 Comments

let’s get potted for the holidays

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Denise

Doesn’t that sound like a great idea? Oh, right, there’s still shopping to do. Malls, catalogues…these holiday shopping options for me are usually a) nerve-wracking b) spirit crushing c) oftentimes both. I’ve been working up near Griffith Park, off Los … Continue reading →

Posted in design, garden ornament, pots and containers | 6 Comments

commercial landscape

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Denise

Some commercial and business office plantings are really stepping up their game. Here’s another example of good plantsmanship I’m seeing around town. Nicely done, I think. Ribbons of succulents along stone walkways, arbutus, olives, furcraea embedded in blankets of westringia. … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, succulents | 5 Comments

nursery hopping in December

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Denise

Pulling into a favorite nursery’s driveway yesterday, I could already see from the street it’s a madhouse. I’d completely forgotten the split personality most nurseries take on in December. The usually empty parking lot is not only full of cars, … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings, plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , | 11 Comments