Category Archives: Plant Portraits
Bloom Day November 2011
It can’t be November already. But the winter-blooming salvias don’t lie. Rosebud-like blooms are forming on Salvia wagneriana, and the slender wands of Salvia littae from Oaxaca, Mexico are budding up. The latter’s tall, lanky growth habit is very reminiscent … Continue reading
Posted in Bloom Day, Plant Portraits, succulents
Tagged ' Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost, Aechmea recurvata ‘Aztec Gold', Crassula sarmentosa, Hakonechloa macra ‘Emerald Glow’, Linaria maroccana, Passiflora sanguinolenta, Salvia chiapensis, Salvia littae, Salvia madrensis, Salvia wagneriana, Tetrapanax papyriferus, Thunbergia alata, Vriesea gigantea
12 Comments
Lunaria annua
I’ve finally discovered the identity of the little clutch of seedlings under the smoke tree. Lunaria annua, which I saw lining the pathways of *Western Hills, the former plant nursery in Occidental, California. Western Hills photo by MB Maher. I’ve … Continue reading
seeing double
At Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery in West Los Angeles yesterday, I was surprised to find double blooms on a couple of popular summer tropicals, abutilon and mandevilla, something to keep in mind for next summer’s containers. (Abutilon for shade, mandevilla for … Continue reading
Posted in plant nurseries, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, shop talk, succulents
Tagged Abutilon 'Victorian Lady', bonsai, Ginkgo biloba, Hashimoto Nursery, Mandevilla 'Tango Twirl', Monrovia, sempervivums, Support Your Independent Nursery Month, The Jungle, West Los Angeles, Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery
6 Comments
Chionanthus retusus
The Chinese Fringe Tree. A deciduous tree beloved by both gardener and birds for clouds of bloom in spring. Followed by those indigo autumn berries. Now about 15 feet in height, at maturity reaching 20-25 feet. True story: The fringe … Continue reading
Anatomy of a Pot of Tender Plants
There’s some great names in the plant world, and Cussonia is up there with some of my favorites. And for pure enjoyment, no history of the name is necessary, just an appreciation for vowels and syllables. Also lends itself to … Continue reading
Posted in Plant Portraits, pots and containers, succulents
Tagged Annie's Annuals & Perennials, Araliaceae, Cabbage Trees, Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, Cussonia gamtoosensis, Cussonia paniculata, Delosperma sphalmanthoides, High Country Gardens, International Garden Center & Floral Design, plantzafrica, Support Your Independent Nursery Month, Tufted Ice Plant
3 Comments
Bloom Day October 2011
The highest temps all summer hit last week, an unwelcome intrusion into fall planting season. Limbing up the big smoke tree a few weeks ago allowed a lot more light into the back garden, setting in motion some deadly domino … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bloom Day, Bulbs, Plant Portraits, succulents
Tagged Dahlia 'Chat Noir', Digging Dog Nursery, Grevillea 'Superb', Nerine sarniensis, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Ricinus communis 'New Zealand Purple', Rudbeckia triloba, Salvia canariensis var. candissima, Salvia madrensis, Selinum wallichianum, Thunbergia gregorii
9 Comments
Sedum & the Summer of Neglect
A tale of invincibility. The sedum, with the survivability of a cockroach, has been performing every trick I’ve asked it to. Way back in January I planted up these hollow flues pried out of our chimney when some repairs were … Continue reading
Wreath of Asarina
Now that it’s October, the grapevine wreath I hung on the fence mid-summer doesn’t seem half as silly. The pink flowers are from a nearby Asarina scandens, which has been galloping over the fence. The wreath is one I made … Continue reading
Rained Out
Unlike a sporting event or outdoor concert or meal, a Southern California garden that’s rained out in early October is cause for rejoicing. And to really intensify the blissed-out experience of the first seasonal rains, just the day before you … Continue reading
Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Bulbs, design, garden visit, Occasional Daily Weather Report, Plant Portraits
Tagged Agave bovicornuta, Agave desmettiana 'Variegata', Agave parryi var. truncata, Allium sphaerocephalum, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition', climate change, dahlias, garden disputes, Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline', prechilling tulips, Salvia farinacea 'Texas Violet', San Marcos Growers
4 Comments
Garden Miscellany
Since the post on the tree collard continually gets a surprising number of hits, full disclosure is in order: I’ve composted the tree collard. It is a defiantly ugly vegetable. My hat is off to fellow tree collard growers who … Continue reading