Category Archives: Plant Portraits

Agave bovicornuta

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Denise

The Cow Horn Agave. I can’t think of another agave with this translucent quality to its leaves. And the little “steer horns” (teeth) fire up in morning sun like burning coals heating a branding iron. Do I really know anything … Continue reading →

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Bloom Day July 2011

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Denise

We’re a tad overexposed and on the run… a day late for Bloom Day, the 15th of every month, hosted by Carol of May Dreams Gardens. More photos after the jump.

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Occasional Daily Photo 7/11/11

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Denise

Brugmansia hybrid ‘Charles Grimaldi.’ Incredibly voluptuous, scented trumpets…on a plant that rivals the hybrid tea rose for awkward growth and ugly legs. Just haven’t found the right approach yet to placing these subtropical shrubs in a zone 10 landscape, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, pots and containers | Tagged | 7 Comments

Mystery Mullein

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Denise

Of all the old seed packets kept stuffed in cigar boxes and metal tins, this one wasn’t saved. Started from seed from Chiltern’s about two years ago. One central inflorescence branching into smaller spikes. Leaves are green, not grey and … Continue reading →

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Journal July 6, 2011

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Denise

The garden saw some frenetic activity over the long holiday weekend. Over the long, extremely hot holiday weekend. Not since Nixon has a face dripped such copious amounts of sweat. Under these sticky, squalid conditions, one reverts to a feral … Continue reading →

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Plant Societies

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Denise

Why has it taken me so long to check out local plant societies? I’ve been a member of the various conservancies, The Mediterranean Garden Society, but membership was mostly in a passive sense, as a means to attend tours and … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, garden travel, garden visit, Plant Portraits, pots and containers, shop talk, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Madeira Giant Bellflower

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Denise

Musschia wollastonii bulges out of this large pot at an angle as though off a cliff in its native haunts of Madeira, Portugal. It’s gaining size rapidly, pushing aside the cordyline, but I try to stay calm and suppress an … Continue reading →

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Occasional Daily Photo 6/27/11

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Denise

Dasylirion longissimum, about 6:45 a.m.

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Occasional Daily Photo 6/24/11

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Denise

I took the day off from work yesterday and worked played in the garden all day. Needing potting soil, I stopped at a local nursery, where I found this: (Photo is a little dark, taken late last night.) Pedilanthus bracteatus … Continue reading →

Posted in Occasional Daily Photo, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Gospel According to San Marcos

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Denise

The devoted gathered to hear Mr. Baldwin of the premiere West Coast nursery San Marcos Growers give a talk at Roger’s Gardens last Saturday on new plant introductions. Be warned that this post will be plant-wonkish in the extreme.

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