Category Archives: climate

the light is left on at Rancho Reubidoux

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Denise

I’ve been dreading completing this post, but since Reuben and Paul have officially decamped from their house and garden at Rancho Reubidoux as of last week and moved into their new home, it’s time to unpack these last images and … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, artists, climate, design, garden ornament, garden visit, MB Maher, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged | 9 Comments

Bloom Day May 2017 (and assorted garden projects)

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Denise

Photo taken last night, when I still hoped I could squeak this post in under the Bloom Day deadline, the 15th of every month, and be righteously on time, but it was not to be. Flash of red is from … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, climate, creatures, cut flowers, design, MB Maher, pots and containers, shop talk, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

a succulent garden in February

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Denise

On the way to picking up a family member’s weekly box at the CSA Growing Experience in North Long Beach last week, I took the opportunity to drive slowly through the surrounding neighborhood of mostly Spanish-style homes. It was drizzling … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, design, driveby gardens, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Unforgettable Fire! Natural Discourse 2016

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Denise

I usually have at least a hazy impression of the origin lands of the plants in my garden. Drawing from the five mediterranean climate regions for low-rainfall plant inspiration and choices as well as arid and semi-arid regions keeps my … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Natural Discourse: Fire! 9/30 & 10/1/16

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Denise

I’ve lived long enough to have experienced the dispersal of information about plants move from paper to the computer screen, and it seems I rarely have the sense anymore that I’m cut off from an essential stream of information on … Continue reading →

Posted in artists, climate, Department of Instruction, design, garden travel, garden visit, science, shop talk | Tagged , | 6 Comments

beyond the lawn; notes on 2016 LA Garden Conservancy Open Days

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Denise

Since the 5/7/16 tour, Gov. Jerry Brown surprised us all by announcing that mandatory water restrictions are now suspended except for agriculture. Water use policies will revert back to the local level. So pat yourself on the back for enduring … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design, driveby gardens, garden travel, garden visit, pots and containers | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Greater Los Angeles APLD GardenTour 4/17/16

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Denise

On the tour: A garden designed by Joel Lichtenwalter and Ryan Gates of Grow Outdoor Design embodies the tour’s theme: “The Watershed Approach to Landscape Design” photo by MB Maher The garden I posted about here in 2013 will be … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, design, garden visit | 3 Comments

winter shadow

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Denise

Winter light and winter shadows naturally fill my thoughts this time of year. This marrubium is lucky to be in full sun all year. Some of the silvers are trapped during winter in a band of shade that descends on … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, Occasional Daily Weather Report, pots and containers, succulents | 8 Comments

planting details at the Reid garden

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Denise

I went through my Reid garden photos again, looking for clear examples of the subtly layered plant communities that rose up around my feet as I followed the paths, scanning the garden like a hungry predator, looking down then quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in books, climate, design, garden visit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Lotusland, garden provocateur

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Denise

More from that June visit to Lotusland, Ganna Walska’s 37-acre estate near Santa Barbara, California. In the comments to this post, Emily kindly provided a link to an English series “Around the World in 80 Gardens,” in which a visit … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, climate, garden travel, garden visit, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments