Author Archives: Denise

at the Inter-City CSSA Show August 2016

The funny thing about hard-core succulent shows is there’s often non-succulent treasures on the sales tables too. On arrival, I made a quick circuit around the tables and immediately became fixated on these decidedly non-succulent leaves. And the mottling on … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, plant crushes, Plant Portraits, plant sales, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Bloom Day August 2016

It must be August, because the Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ is billowing. This tender perennial becomes activated by the heat of August. I pull it out by the handfuls when it gets too rambunctious but always leave a few roots. Any … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

31st Annual Inter-City Cactus Show & Sale

31st Annual Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale The LA County Arboretum in Ayres Hall 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 Saturday, August 13, 2016, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday, August 14, 2016, 9:00 AM – 5:00 … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, plant sales, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

a week in plants, continued

I so rarely document thoroughly, before and after, that I thought for once I’d push back a little against those slacker tendencies. This small project is an easy place to start. In the last post, there were four ‘Cousin Itt’ … Continue reading

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a week in plants

Last week was a good one for plants. I finally found some Acacia ‘Cousin Itt’ in small sizes, under $10 each, to plant under the Chinese Fringe Tree. (Chionanthus retusus, as distinguished from our native Chionanthus virginicus.) This great, mediumish-sized … Continue reading

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In a Vase on Monday, (courtesy of the OG)

Peter/Outlaw Gardener, that indefatigable daily blogger and all-around nice guy, raffled off some vases recently. (And look who’s a winner!) I found this fat little echeveria in the front garden and unceremoniously pulled him up by the roots to welcome … Continue reading

Posted in Bulbs, cut flowers, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged | 10 Comments

bromeliads for hanging planters? (yes!)

A lot of my bromeliads swing from on high now. And it all started with an act of generosity back in January of 2014. A gift from Reuben, after our joint flea market venture. (It’d be fun to plan another … Continue reading

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friday clippings 7/22/16

What I wanted to do tonight was attend an event I’ve been hearing about on NPR as I drove the freeways this week, Summer Nights in the Garden, hosted by the Natural History Museum. It’s free but RSVP is required, … Continue reading

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cutflowers of summer

Dahlia coccinea ‘Orange,’ Mendocino Botanical Garden Thank goodness there’s not a crazy nativist strain complicating appreciation of summer’s most colorful annuals. The only walls associated with these summer beauties might be the ones surrounding your cutting garden (you lucky devil!) … Continue reading

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July Bloom Day, the sequel

How could I forget the Japanese silverleaf sunflowers? An international effort. Native to coastal southern Texas, it is known as the Japanese Silverleaf due to that country’s renowned work in breeding sunflower varieties. I’m not sure whether this is the … Continue reading

Posted in Bloom Day, plant nurseries | Tagged , , | 4 Comments