Author Archives: Denise

front garden retrospective

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Denise

Since I greedily planted the long, narrow front garden smack up against the fence that separates us from legions of parked cars and noisy, fast-moving traffic, it’s difficult to maneuver around for photos (and maintenance). Also, a lot of toothy … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, succulents | 5 Comments

monday’s plants 3/23/20

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Denise

Leaving the bizarro world aside for the moment, and desperately clinging to the bright side, at least this unusual March has been a good month for rain in Los Angeles. We’re just about an inch below average, which is great … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Occasional Daily Weather Report, Plant Portraits, succulents | 3 Comments

some plants that got away

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Denise

Continuing in a reflective, “safer at home” mood, from the AGO archives, these would be plants that got away for various reasons — grew too large, grew too slow, grew in a spot I needed for something new, but all … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | 5 Comments

what’s new…and what isn’t

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Denise

Burrowing into plant and seed catalogues isn’t a bad idea at the moment. Mail ordering plants and seeds is eminently doable even in a pandemic crisis, and if you’re hanging out a lot at home, so much the better for … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | 4 Comments

sunday clippings 3/8/20 (save Prospect Cottage)

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Denise

Artist, filmmaker, and gardener Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, England, needs some crowd-sourcing love. If it’s one of those places you dream of one day visiting, you might want to consider helping to secure its future by donating what … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, Bulbs, clippings | 5 Comments

Wednesday’s plants

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Denise

In the interest of keeping a better garden record…

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Palm Springs flyby (and a glimpse of Sunnylands)

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Denise

Notwithstanding the recent visit to Palm Springs for Modernism Week, I still have yet to visit nearby Sunnylands, the so-called Camp David of the West in its heyday, when it was the private residence of the Annenbergs, Ambassador Walter Annenberg … Continue reading →

Posted in garden travel, garden visit, MB Maher | 3 Comments

(in anticipation of spring) cleanup

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Denise

I asked Marty to drill drainage holes in this metal cart yesterday. Without drainage it was fairly useless, accumulating water and leaves and making a slimy brew of them all winter. When I returned home late in the afternoon, Marty … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, journal, pots and containers, succulents | 5 Comments

bloomday February 2020

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Denise

I could describe February as the Month of Tiny Flowers in my garden except, honestly, that pretty much describes it year-round. You’ll have to narrow your focus (and expectations!) just a bit for a gander at the offbeat odds and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day | 5 Comments

a garden’s long-term care

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Denise

My mother turned 90 yesterday, and we celebrated this momentous occasion at her new living arrangement in a nearby board-and-care.  Getting her here took months of medical, legal, financial, and familial wrangling, all while taking care of her as she … Continue reading →

Posted in clippings, garden travel, MB Maher | 5 Comments