Category: Plants

Spring

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Andersen This year, spring sprang into being in the Northern hemisphere at 2:37 a.m. PST March 20. Some plants in the garden decided it was spring in February, or even January. Some are just getting the… Continue reading Spring

Are you a Native Plant purist?

When we design, we talk about “purpose.” In the established garden, we use the term every few years -to reconsider the garden. Guiding principles, such as water-efficient and beneficial-to-nature, are big-picture “purpose” values in many modern gardens. On the micro, unique level, has the purpose in your existing garden changed? Are there new activities that… Continue reading Are you a Native Plant purist?

The Latest on Bees

Last week I attended a webinar hosted by the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program about what’s new in the world of our bees here in California. The basics: 60-70% of flowering plants require animal pollination. More than 80 crops require animal pollination. Some agricultural/garden crops require specific types of pollinators. For example,… Continue reading The Latest on Bees

Winter Wonderland (California Style)

I love this season! Wait – didn’t I say that about Autumn?      As I’m writing this it is raining, the first “real” storm of the season. In California’s Mediterranean climate, the normal is for us to receive the majority of rain and snow in winter and early spring. It’s been a dry fall. December… Continue reading Winter Wonderland (California Style)

Heat Stress

Western spice bush (Calycanthus occidentlias) under some severe heat stress in this part sun foothill garden. Is more water the answer?  I’ve been receiving several questions over the past month or so about plants that have been doing fine for years, but suddenly this summer are looking ragged. This is occurring in gardens that are… Continue reading Heat Stress

Visiting Denver Botanical Garden

One of the reasons I love to travel is to visit public lands and botanic gardens, both to admire and discover plants that I am unfamiliar with, and to bring ideas back that might work in our Southern Sierra and southern central valley areas. I’m always interested and delighted when I see California native plants… Continue reading Visiting Denver Botanical Garden

Wrong Wrong Wrong

I’m an expert, right? Doesn’t mean I don’t get things wrong sometimes. My contractor colleague and friend, Steve Koemppel (SK Landscaping) said, “The only wrong thing is to quit.” Thanks, Steve! It’s tempting to pretend no one noticed, no one will notice, or that whatever you got or did wrong won’t really matter because whoever… Continue reading Wrong Wrong Wrong

7 Great CA Native Plants for Southern Sierra & South Valley Gardens – Pt 2

Greetings! Welcome to new subscribers and thanks to all of you for reading and spreading the word about this blog.  The following is part two: please also read part one, available in the archives. In the upcoming weeks, I will write about plants, life, and our life with plants. Mostly native, but not always. Let… Continue reading 7 Great CA Native Plants for Southern Sierra & South Valley Gardens – Pt 2

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7 Great CA Native Plants for Southern Sierra & South Valley Gardens – Pt 1

Greetings! Welcome to new subscribers and thanks to all of you for reading and spreading the word about this blog.  The following two-parter is something I’ve been wanting to share for a long time. So, here it is! In the upcoming weeks, I will write about plants, life, and our life with plants. Mostly native,… Continue reading 7 Great CA Native Plants for Southern Sierra & South Valley Gardens – Pt 1

Published
Categorized as Plants