Author Archives: Denise

Occasional Daily Photo 2/12/13

I just potted the Pelargonium echinatum into this chipped Bauer pot inherited from my grandmother. A chipped Bauer pot ceases to be a sacred cow and can definitely mix it up with the other garden pots. Just took me a … Continue reading

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Aloes in Southern California

It’s that time of year again to catch the displays of these spectacular South African succulents in bloom around town. These photos were taken mid-day at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden 2/7/13. Aloe vryheidensis. Many were of … Continue reading

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Dear Delphine

Dear Delphine, Like the movie Being John Malkovich, the doorway to your fertile imagination is waiting for me whenever I need an infusion of inspiration, and you never disappoint. I still find it astonishing that I can see the world … Continue reading

Posted in artists, design, garden travel, garden visit, MB Maher | Tagged | 7 Comments

the scent of Michelia doltsopa

It’s a cold, blustery day, as Pooh would say, and I’m trying like mad to mentally recreate the scent of Michelia doltsopa from yesterday’s visit to the Los Angeles Arboretum. But, poof, it’s vanished beyond memory, just as it’s probably … Continue reading

Posted in Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

another look at James Griffith’s Natural Selection series

I wrote about artist James Griffith’s Natural Selection series here, as he was preparing for that show, and have heard now that he’s off in a new direction for a show to be held sometime in 2014. Something to do … Continue reading

Posted in artists, creatures, science | 2 Comments

finishing up a westside garden tour

The second garden we toured with Lili Singer on 1/24/13, through the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s series “Thursday Garden Talks with Lili Singer.” The first garden toured can be seen here. The description of the second garden from … Continue reading

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admiring the lines (Euphorbia lambii)

First it was the lush, wavy growth and strong limber lines Euphorbia lambii acquired this winter that I stopped to admire just as the sun was coming up. Euphorbia lambii is another one from the land of all things tender … Continue reading

Posted in design, plant crushes, succulents | Tagged | 4 Comments

stealing the sun

and selfishly hoarding it all to myself a single cut flower can convince me I’m guilty of doing just that The long neck of this aloe bloom had been gradually listing, leaning, until it made a full, graceless face plant, … Continue reading

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driveby garden; 1/31/13

Do you consider the color of your house and its role as a backdrop/canvas for the garden? I can’t believe the luscious, creamy, chlorophylly color on this house was an accident. The plants are positively strutting and preening against it. … Continue reading

Posted in design, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged | 6 Comments

scenes from Versailles

As promised, photos of the gardens of Versailles, the apogee of the French formal garden style, designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre for King Louis XIV of France (September 5, 1638 – September 1, 1715). With itinerant photographer MB … Continue reading

Posted in design, garden travel, garden visit, MB Maher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments