What comes first for you, the plant or the pot? For me it’s usually the pot. When a friend presents me with a special pot, it’s a given that I’ll plant it with succulents. But I don’t always know what will look good in it. So I ask the pot what it wants. I take [...]
I’m a seed-aholic. No matter how hard I try to control myself, each winter I can’t resist experimenting with new introductions. Oh yes, and I must have another variety of amaranths, nicotianas…or whatever. I convince myself that it’s inexpensive ~ after all, another $2.75 spent on what will surely be dozens of beautiful flowers …and [...]
See the seahorse? It’s sempervivums planted in vertical panels. This was one of many lovely and unusual sights at the second annual Succulent Extravaganza at Succulent Gardens nursery in Castroville, CA last week. A terrace at the nursery is planted with Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (foreground) and Agave ‘Blue Flame’ (background). One-third of my forthcoming book, [...]
Congratulations to our winners! All have been notified by email: Paul from Palm Springs, CA, whose favorite plant is Justicia california (chuperosa). Shirley from San Antonio, TX, whose favorite plant is Texas mountain laurel. Lise from Bonny Doon, CA, who loves hellebores and antique roses, and who dreams of tomatoes. Candy from Roseville, CA, whose [...]
Several months ago I asked a few of my gardening friends to respond to a questionnaire. They generously agreed. The subject: Our Moms. It’s about the stories they’ve told us and how they’ve lived their lives, the impact they’ve had on us both in and out of the garden, and how they helped us get [...]