Category Archives: succulents

plant this book

With apologies to Abbie Hoffman (’60s radical and author of counterculture best-seller Steal this Book) Via Desire to Inspire Literally, sheet mulching for the bookish set. Scanning my book shelves, I just can’t come up with a book to sacrifice. … Continue reading

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how to gift wrap an agave

I had some time late yesterday afternoon so decided to dip my toe into holiday retail. In truth, all I did was look at plants. And even bought a few. For myself. This season of giving is off to a … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden ornament, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Plant portrait; Agave attenuata and St. Augustine grass

Clean, bright simplicity. Agave attenuata underplanted with variegated St. Augustine grass, by garden designer Dustin Gimbel. This tough, subtropical grass works beautifully in holding this slope, and is allowed to grow long and shaggy or clipped and tidy, according to … Continue reading

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porpoising (sunday clippings 11/18/12)

Surfacing briefly, like the porpoises I watched slicing the surface of the ocean on the ferry boat crossing to Catalina Island Friday. A visit mostly all business*, the pleasure coming mainly from the 30-minute walk to the conference room at … Continue reading

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agaves en masse

This was one of those days when I could have used an I Brake For Agaves bumper sticker. Every town in every climate has its repertoire of plants suitable for massing in civic spaces, roadsides, road medians. Here in my … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, design, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged | 9 Comments

Big Red Sun – Venice, California

Posted in design, garden ornament, garden travel, plant nurseries, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

driveby garden 11/2/12

Bicycling past this house a couple days ago, I made a hard U-turn to check out the swath of silvery groundcover running alongside the sidewalk underplanting a couple shrubs. It’s probably a variety of Gazania rigens. As an inveterate plant … Continue reading

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Wordless Wednesday

After spending all day Tuesday Monday blowing work deadlines, riveted to Frankenstorm coverage, the safe haven of Wordless Wednesday beckons. After a storm like that, what is there to say? Oh, maybe two more words: stay safe. (This post will … Continue reading

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James Griffith; Natural Selection/Offramp Gallery 11/18/12

Offramp Gallery – November 18 – December 23, 2012 Opening Reception: Sunday, November 18, 2-5pm Closing Reception & Holiday Party: Sunday, December 23, 2-5pm 1702 Lincoln Avenue | Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-298-6931 Artists Sue Dadd and James Griffith seem … Continue reading

Posted in artists, design, garden visit, MB Maher, photography, science, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

more on garden shelves

There was never any question I’d leave this alone, last seen in this iteration. The nice thing about this arrangement is that it tucks under the eaves and keeps the pots dry during winter. Not a big deal considering our … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments