Author Archives: Denise
Mina lobata, the sequel
The WordPress blogging platform that hosts AGO suffered a catastrophic system failure over the past few days. I understand very little about what caused the problem, but only know that a very nice person named Matt at Apis Networks acted … Continue reading
garden lanterns
Seedpods of Asclepias physocarpa transformed into garden lanterns. Another “light painting” by photographer MB Maher.
dog days of summer take toll on local nursery
I’ve been scouring local nurseries for calamint recently and stopped by Brita’s Old Town Gardens in Seal Beach, California, last week as the likeliest possible local source for Calamintha nepeta. Brita always has interesting stuff, the kind of plants the … Continue reading
Los Angeles’ Grand Park
I worked at the courthouse in downtown Los Angeles today. I love these occasional work assignments downtown. We drove up Broadway, taking in an early morning dose of awe at its many ghostly, majestic movie palaces like the Orpheum, now … Continue reading
cross-pollination 9/29/12
Annette and Gustavo Gutierrez hosted another “Cross-Pollination” on Saturday. These get-togethers were initiated by garden designer Dustin Gimbel, who’s already hosted a couple dinners, and are a hybrid between a revolving conversation society and garden party. There was just enough … Continue reading
some cool customers
For a reliable dose of cool, deep greens and blues are the colors to choose. Yucca whipplei, Agave ‘Blue Glow,’ Elymus arenarius, Blue Lyme Grass Cool comes smooth, barbed, spiked, sometimes all at once, like the barbs of Furcraea macdougalii … Continue reading
Occasional Daily Photos 9/26/12
Couple things caught my eye in the front garden tonight. Santolina ‘Lemon Fizz’ has thickened up nicely over the summer into a sturdy chartreuse bun. And one of my favorite indicators of the end of summer, the aeoniums coming out … Continue reading
monday clippings 9/24/12
It may technically be autumn, but the high temps and torpor of summer persist. I’m feeling a bit muzzled by the heat, but stuff is still getting done. Agave parrasana ‘Fireball’ was moved to a larger pot this weekend. As … Continue reading
small space big style: Potted shows how it’s done
You’ve gotta get over to Potted’s blog to see their before-and-after photos documenting Potted’s contribution to the California Home+Design showhouse at The Hollywood Lofts. Follow Potted’s step-by-step photos to find how they arrived at this: And this: (Note the debut … Continue reading
succulent container with ocotillo
Running errands in Orange County yesterday, I popped into the new Rolling Greens again to see if their selection of outdoor plants had arrived. Yes, a good range of succulents was in, including this fabulous variegated beaucarnia or Pony Tail … Continue reading