When an aeonium elongates into bloom, you know the rosette is toast. But the flowers are spectacular. It’s a life lesson: Enjoy the moment. Beauty is fleeting. This is Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’. Continue Reading →
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Robin’s Succulent Sphere
Robin Stockwell (right), owner of Succulent Gardens Nursery, has a reputation of creating over-the-top displays for the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. Like two years ago, a cube house with succulent walls and a moat. Robin’s known for his vertical displays of succulents—entire panels consisting of little plants with different colored leaves. So take a look at this. Does it look familiar? Yep, Robin has made a huge succulent globe for the show this year, which is taking place right now through March 24. Below are photos of the globe under construction. Details are on the Succulent Gardens website. Continue Reading →
How A Child’s Passion Grew Into Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
I’ve been following the growth of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Catalog for years. When ordering from them this year, I read about Jere Gettle, the founder, and in a split second knew that I wanted to interview him. He’s an innovator and visionary in the world of gardening. Fran Sorin
1. You planted your first garden at age 3. Do you come from a gardening lineage?
My great uncle was one of the first organic farmers in California. Many family members were market gardeners over the years. I remember planting with both my parents and grandparents in their large gardens.
2. How does a 3 year old go about planting a garden?
I started by tagging along with parents and grandparents as they worked in their gardens. When I began poking my own seeds into the ground, excitement and amazement grew along with the plants as I watched the flowers and fruits that came from those seeds.
Time to Celebrate Ice Plants!
I showed this photo recently at one of my presentations. In the back of the room, a little girl stood on a chair to see better. I understood; as a child growing up in Southern CA, I also was captivated by brilliant ice plant blooms.
Those colors! As blindingly bright as ever a flower could be. Continue Reading →
Living Rocks (Pleiospilos nelii)
These odd little African succulents start out egg-shaped, then split open to reveal a smaller capsule that in turn splits open at right angles to the first.
In spring, being ice plants, they produce neon-bright, multipetalled, daisylike flowers. Continue Reading →
