Author Archives: Denise
studies in scarlet
For this February 14th holiday that takes a circuitous route from honoring a 3rd century martyr to exchanging tiny messages on candy hearts to ask: who do you love? And not a red rose in the bunch, just some photos … Continue reading
Posted in cut flowers
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Oregon Coast garden in February
I apologize up front for the contrasty results of my point-and-shoot on this brilliantly sunny morning, but it will be too dark for photos within the hour under these temperamental skies. (This is as far as the working collaboration with … Continue reading
Posted in climate, Oregon garden
8 Comments
rainy day thoughts on fences
Having inherited a boundary fence in the back garden, I think about it quite a bit. It’s been an insistent presence since we moved in, devoid as the space was of anything but fence, grass and bark mulch. Fences in … Continue reading
Posted in climate, design, Oregon garden
8 Comments
ice storm aftermath
Some quick notes on the recent ice storm, that for us on the Oregon coast descended on Saturday, January 13. A fine icy mist encrusted everything — houses were entombed in ice, including doors, roofs and siding, a very peculiar … Continue reading
weather report 1/13/24
Today is the day we’ve been dreading all week, when daytime temps at the Oregon coast hover around 30F and “icy rain” arrives. The week’s weather has been typically tumultuous and no undue cause for concern — just the usual … Continue reading
Posted in Oregon garden
7 Comments
got gratitude?
Making a garden for myself seems to be a function now of my autonomic nervous system, like breathing and a beating heart. It is a big comfort to know that wherever I go, I’m fairly sure I can make a … Continue reading
Posted in Oregon garden
8 Comments
clippings 10/24/23
Mopping up the earlier report on blooms in October that was abridged due to technical issues…
Posted in Bloom Day, clippings
10 Comments
bloom day October 2023
I’ve been talking up all summer the two Aster lateriflorus var. horizontalis varieties in my garden (‘Prince’ and ‘Lady in Black’). Rich dark leaves early in the season suspended on a light framework that doesn’t overwhelm neighbors. I’m not saying … Continue reading
Posted in Bloom Day, Oregon garden
7 Comments
checking in on the zone 10 garden
The Long Beach, CA zone 10 garden had a caretaker in residence for almost a year while we’ve been on the Oregon coast. I think they may have been watering the containers before decamping in July, but I’m not really … Continue reading
late but great
Some of the feelings about my late summer/fall garden this year can be broken down into two categories: 1) What took you so long? and 2) Wow, you look so fresh! I’ve been both irritated by tardiness and appreciative of … Continue reading
Posted in design, journal, Oregon garden, Plant Portraits
8 Comments