Category Archives: climate

James Griffith @Craig Krull Gallery

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Denise

Never mind Halloween, it’s been a scary week, and overnight more fires erupted, many much closer to home. Checking the Los Angeles Times for the grim wildfire updates brought some unexpected and sorely needed happy news: “La Brea tar is … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, climate, science | 3 Comments

low humidity, high winds, pink houses

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Denise

“The Santa Ana winds were blasting through the streets, bristling and smelling of desert, of white sunlight, of sharp, wiry plants and white rock…A hot madness was enclosing the city.” Kate Braverman, Lithium for Medea (February 5, 1949 – October … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, MB Maher, science | 6 Comments

so many salvias

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Denise

I love the buzz of excitement of trying out new plants. In my garden, a good share of the newcomers always seems to include a few salvias, which isn’t surprising considering these multivarious members of the mint family number almost … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, plant nurseries, Plant Portraits | 8 Comments

letter from sagehen creek field station

Posted on October 18, 2019 by MB Maher

(Shirley Watts’ series of symposia entitled Natural Discourse, bringing scientists and artists into botanical gardens to make site-specific work, has taken on an even fiercer urgency seven years after its inception in 2012, as scientists and artists grapple with the … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, climate, essay, MB Maher, photography, science | 4 Comments

the kids are all right

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Denise

The kids know what’s at risk. Only the essentials — water, soil, the atmosphere, sea levels and acidification, desertification, mass extinctions, food supply chains. Perhaps widening income inequality is making kids immune to the economic scaremongering arguments of their elders … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, science | 5 Comments

early September at Red Butte Garden

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Denise

A short, unplanned, very hot visit to Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden last week brought an unexpected amount of pleasure and inspiration. Due to a flight delay back to Long Beach, we had a few extra hours to kill … Continue reading →

plants and rocks; the basics

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Denise

If your idea of a good life means being surrounded by plants, chances are you love having a few rocks around too, even if only in a haphazard, barely intentional way. Perhaps small rock mementos from travels naturally seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, creatures, design, essay, MB Maher, succulents | 5 Comments

suburbitat

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Denise

“Formed in 2001, HPEC has grown into a multifaceted organization that works to create sustainable landscapes, restore native plant communities and provide habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife amid development.” Back in June a bunch of garden bloggers visited … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, creatures, design, garden travel, plant nurseries, science | Tagged High Plains Environmental Center | 9 Comments

formal wear for the summer garden

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Denise

I toured this garden designed by Judy Horton back in May as part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days for Los Angeles and recently uncovered just a few photos, not really enough for a proper blog post as far as … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design, garden travel, garden visit | 3 Comments

hungry eyes, busy hands; Colorado garden of Dan Johnson & Tony Miles

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Denise

“The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom…You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough.” — William Blake What I really enjoyed about one of the gardens I visited recently in Colorado … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, garden visit | 8 Comments