Author Archives: Denise
bloom day hack august 2018
The ‘Mesa Peach’ gaillardias seem to be this year’s answer to my craving for a low-growing summer daisy that fits in nicely among the permanently resident aloes and agaves. Similar water and light requirements, not too extravagant in summer growth … Continue reading
take it outside
The parents’ exasperation with our indoor hijinks always crescendoed in a bellow of “take it outside!” whereupon we would bang through the screendoor and tumble out into the womb-like, cul-de-sac’d streets of our Los Angeles suburb, joining up with the … Continue reading
good riddance to July, you hot and sultry thing
And hello August! (what fresh hell do you have in store?) Unlike me, pedilanthus loves it when the heat and humidity are matchy-matchy numbers. I’ve been so worried that Yucca linearifolia would reject this container, which has already killed a … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, pots and containers, succulents
Tagged Aechmea recurvata var. benrathrii, Agave 'Kissho Kan', Agave kershovei ‘Huajuapan Red', Agave xylonacantha, Aloe betsileensis, Aloe spicata, Calocephalus 'Silver Sand', Crassula 'Garnet Lotus', Ferocactus gracilis, Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta', Nan Sterman, Pacific Horticulture spring 2018, Pennisetum 'Cherry Sparkler', Potted For Outdoor Living, Saxon Holt
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of ponds and pyramids at Digging Dog Nursery
Returning to the June 2018 visit to Mendocino for the Garden Conservancy Open Days, the second garden we visited belonged to Digging Dog Nursery, also the home of co-owners Deborah Whigham and Gary Ratway. The garden comprises five acres, the … Continue reading
Digital Nature; Artist Talk at LA Arboretum 7/28/18
Digital Nature Artist Talk at LA Arboretum 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 4 pm, Saturday, July 28, 2018 free with Arboretum entry The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden and Natural Discourse present Artist Talk with Mia … Continue reading
c’mon & safari with me
So friends and/or relatives are visiting you in Southern California, and you’re sorting through which tourist destinations will please everyone, of all ages and dispositions (even your own sweaty and cranky self at the thought of hitting tourist spots). Do … Continue reading
S A Y A Designs
When Victoria at S A Y A Designs asked if I wanted to know more about her work in helping to replant rain forests in Indonesia, I told her most definitely yes, I very much would be interested in knowing … Continue reading
Posted in artists, commerce, design, inspire me, MB Maher
Tagged circular economy, deforestation, hair sticks, S A Y A Designs, tropical hardwood trees
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bloom day July 2018
July 15th arrives slightly singed and battered. I was just noticing this morning that the big serrated leaves of Bocconia frutescens were untouched by that nasty 109F heat, whereas I’ve had to cut sheafs of tetrapanax stalks to clear out … Continue reading
Sara Malone’s remarkable Circle Oak Ranch
photo by Janice LeCocq via Pacific Horticulture “The Curious Plantsman Looks at Dwarf Conifers” It’s a good news/bad news day on AGO. Because Sara Malone is an incredibly generous person in more ways than I can count — with her … Continue reading
Garden Conservancy Open Days/Mendocino/Moss Garden
cooler on Sunday, June 24, Mendocino Bot. Garden, a plant mix like nowhere else of conifers, maples, perennials, redwoods. Island beds designed by Gary Ratway. The buzz started spreading at the Austin Garden Bloggers Fling in May, at least among … Continue reading
Posted in climate, design, garden travel, garden visit, journal
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