Monthly Archives: January 2021

the agave’s gambit

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Denise

 What sets them apart is that they are monocarpic, they die after flowering once, and, they can take up to 30 years or better, depending on species and growing conditions, to flower…The demand for carbohydrate is high during this period.  … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, cut flowers, journal | Tagged | 11 Comments

absolute flower shop in Shanghai

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Denise

It looks like California’s stay-at-home orders might soon be eased a bit, not that I’ll be venturing too far afield just yet. So just when I really need to step into the exotic, the unfamiliar for half a minute, a … Continue reading →

Posted in cut flowers, design, inspire me | 6 Comments

swept away

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Denise

Busy week, weather-wise, democracy-wise. There was a sweet piney scent to the air the morning of the 19th, which meant the wind had shifted and was coming from the east. I smelled it before checking the weather vane, which confirmed … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, design, journal, Occasional Daily Weather Report, succulents | 5 Comments

there’s a lot to love about aloes

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Denise

I doubt I’ll ever be able to get my arms entirely around this name-changing, shape-shifting succulent genus. Its riches of flower and leaf can make winnowing out selections for a small garden woefully dependent on serendipity — on what’s available … Continue reading →

Posted in succulents | 6 Comments

Bloom Day January 2021

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Denise

I may miss these reports throughout the year, but no way I’m going to skip the inaugural Bloom Day of 2021! If you’re looking for something to stream to get through this next week, I just finished and can recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, Bulbs, pots and containers, succulents | 3 Comments

January scrapbook

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Denise

Starting with January 2010, what I’ve seen, what I’ve grown, what I’m still growing… (In making a January scrapbook, I realized there are no photos of the garden from January 2020, since I spent that month at my mom’s house.)

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, blog | 3 Comments

Fearless Gardening by Loree Bohl; a review/giveaway

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Denise

I’ve been following Pacific Northwest gardens and nurseries for decades and often fantasize about having a garden in a modified-mediterranean, 40 inches-of-rain-a-year zone 8. There’s lots of plants I’d be able to grow for the first time, but there’d have … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, books, climate, design, inspire me, pots and containers | Tagged | 12 Comments

clippings January 5, 2021

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Denise

Happy New Year news: We’re waitlisted for a corgi puppy with an Oregon breeder! The arrangement seems nebulous at best, but it’s the closest we’ve come to envisioning life with another dog since Ein shared his life with us, our … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings, journal | 7 Comments