Category Archives: pots and containers

how to declutter your garden

Since the new year, I keep coming across the word “declutter.” I find the phenomenon of cultural obsessions fascinating, more so than the obsession du jour itself. How does everybody get on board with any one idea in such a … Continue reading

Posted in pots and containers, succulents | 11 Comments

holiday backyard boutique 12/1/18

You’re motivated and ready to tackle this holiday business head on and get an early jump on shopping, but you’re shying away from all that mousey click, click, clicking and maybe more interested in combining shopping with some fresh air, … Continue reading

Posted in artists, commerce, design, MB Maher, pop-up, pots and containers | 3 Comments

nerines for November

What is up with the lack of interest in nerines in the U.S.? They have long, cuttable stems, the blooms last much longer than tulips, as in weeks rather than days, and they flower at a time of year when … Continue reading

Posted in Bloom Day, Bulbs, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

the many and varied forms of Echeveria agavoides

‘Lipstick,’ ‘Red Edge,’ ‘Maria,’ ‘Romeo’ — browsing nurseries and plant sales I’ve come across lots of named forms of this most agave-like of echeverias. This page from the World of Succulents has descriptions and photos of these varieties and many … Continue reading

Posted in pots and containers, succulents | 12 Comments

garden journal 11/3/18

The salvia order from Flowers by the Sea arrived early in the week in exceptional condition and has been potted up. Included in the order were the two above, Salvia discolor ‘Purple Bracts’ in the foreground, Salvia patens ‘Guanajuato’ in … Continue reading

Posted in edibles, journal, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Willy Guhl Spindle Planter

There’s really no other Mid Century Modern planter quite like the Spindle by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, made with his student Anton Bee in collaboration with Eternit in 1951. Mitch showed me some photos from an interior shoot he did … Continue reading

Posted in artists, design, MB Maher, pots and containers | Tagged , | 6 Comments

touring gardens in Newport Beach

The Southern California Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society led a tour of some Newport Beach, Calif. gardens last weekend. My assumption that there would be large succulent gardens in the Fallbrook style was no doubt due to my ignorance … Continue reading

Posted in garden travel, garden visit, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

oil drums for plants

Way back in spring, when we were sourcing stuff for the popup, there was an ad on craigslist offering food-grade, powder-coated oil drums for cheap. Really cheap. Temptingly cheap. Large containers are so pricy, and these would be perfect for … Continue reading

Posted in design, pots and containers | 4 Comments

good riddance to July, you hot and sultry thing

And hello August! (what fresh hell do you have in store?) Unlike me, pedilanthus loves it when the heat and humidity are matchy-matchy numbers. I’ve been so worried that Yucca linearifolia would reject this container, which has already killed a … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

prepare yourself for summer plant sales

Dyckia ‘Uncle Ray,’ Exhibitor Bryan Chan, (San Fernando Valley Bromeliad Society) won best in its class at the recent World Bromeliad Conference in San Diego, or so I was told by a docent at the Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, plant sales, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments