So why the growing obsession? I can’t yet answer the why, but I can trace the trajectory. It’s been a constant, loyal obsession since high school. In my early thirties, married and with two elementary school-age boys, I studied and became certified in horticulture. With that certificate, I did some uninspiring work with commercial indoor plants, and also quickly realized the boys’ college fund wasn’t fattening up as fast as needed, so I shifted to more lucrative work in a different field. Twenty years later, with all pressing financial needs addressed, the obsession is on again full time, and in some new guises — garden-based traveler, urban plant explorer, pop-up impresario. So this blog’s M.O. is pretty simple: All plants, all the time. Since 1989 my home has been in frost-free Long Beach, California, lot size about 5,750 square feet, about a mile from the Pacific Ocean, at a latitude that blesses it as one of the world’s Mediterranean climate regions. Notwithstanding recurrent drought, winter rainfall averages approximately 15 inches a year, but it’s usually much less. Summers are dry — oh, so dry. Unless otherwise specified, no financial relationship exists between AGO and the businesses mentioned within its posts.
Now let’s talk about plants!
Warm regards,
Denise/AGO
P.S. In autumn 2021 I started another garden on the Oregon Coast, zone 8b — these posts are tagged “Oregon garden.”
Aloe polyphylla, or the Spiral Aloe, an elusive, temperamental, on-and-off garden denizen, photo by occasional contributor MB Maher
I love your post about the drive by garden in Long Beach. I have 2 older children that live there…Long Beach is my dream..anyways..love taking pictures of the gardens of the adorable , awesome homes..owners are so nice when they see how much someone appreciates all the hard work they put in the gardens..love how you identify, name the plants…keep up the wonderful posts.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden!
How can I subscribe to your blog?
Looks like you figured it out — thanks for following, Lynda!
Hi Denise-
I sent you a msg via Instagram about publishing one of your photos. Please get back to me. Thanks and Happy New Year!!
FT -my name and contact info are in the DM
Please add me to your blog
Thanks
LaurA
Thank you for sharing your love of plants and all the gorgeous garden photos! Giving me major garden envy, can’t wait to see more.
Hello!
I have enjoyed your site so much. I found you because of your post on May 6,2021, entitled “What’s on the Table.”
In this picture you have a night blooming pelargonium, a Pomona and do you happen to have the name of the pelargonium next to the Pomona that has light pink and white petals? I know this is a long shot from an old post, but I just love this little vignette that you made and my eye is drawn to that pelargonium.
Thank you so much!
Lisa
@Hello, Lisa! I’ve looked around for the ID of that pelly but no luck so far. If/when I find it I’ll let you know!