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A fall-blooming Arum species
Fall bloomers always catch my attention – not only do they provide interest and color when a lot of other plants are still just waking up from summer-dry semi (or total) dormancy, but they also celebrate what I consider to be the ‘start’ of the natural year in mediterranean climates – when the rainy season […]
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Pelargonium sidoides (Hort.)
Certainly a love-hate thing we’ve got going on with this plant right now. Growing endlessly and never ceasing to be in flower, it is almost boring in its consistency and certainly thuggish in its habit. This South African native’s gray-green, leathery leaves with well-defined scalloped edges are attractive in their own right, but its the […]
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Chorisia flowering – Mediterranean Garden, Oakland, CA
The annual flowering of this Silk Floss tree, Chorisia speciosa, is something those familiar with this garden mark on their calendars! Planted on the edge of the Palmatum at the Gardens at Lakeside Park in Oakland, it makes a dramatic backdrop for the newly created Mediterranean Garden next door. Check out this article on The […]
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The Man Who Planted Trees
The tale of Elzeard Bouffier, a solitary shephard who devotes himself to reforesting a desolate portion of Provence, in southern France, was originally written by Jean Giono, who was asked in 1953 by an American Publisher to write about an unforgettable character. Apparently they meant him to write about a real character. When the editors […]
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Using Containers in Small Garden Spaces – Nan Sterman
A friend, Nan Sterman, does a great job in her video simplifying design concepts that can be used to add interest and variety to a small garden – something many homeowners in California always need.
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Phlomis species in the garden
In the above shot of the trial garden at Pépinière Filippi, Meza, France, many different Phlomis species still wearing their spent flower stems, contrasting nicely with the various shades foliage color. Phlomis was once planted extensively in California by gardeners wishing to decrease the water footprint of their gardens. On late I note that these […]
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Book: The Way We Live Alfresco
The mediterranean climate perhaps affords more days per year for spending time out-of-doors, consequently the quintessential image of sharing a meal outside in Italy, France, Spain or another Mediterranean country. This is not mere romantic folly – often the most pleasant place to spend such time is indeed outdoors, and planning the garden with this […]
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A tough, dependable fern
Tough and dependable might seem unusual adjectives to use when describing a fern, but this guy’s adaptability is almost legendary. Because it can take such a large amount of abuse, it is often subjected to same, looking worse for wear by hanging on none-the-less. Given half a chance, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Erect Sword Fern, will reward […]
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Cineraria maritima var. fairbairnianum
While doing some research on a group of gray leafed plants, I came upon this very old plate and text about an unusual (and now lost) cultivar of one of our most common garden plants. The title of this entry is the archaic name of this plant, which might be more familiar if given the […]
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The Dry Garden: More drought ahead?
North Hollywood resident Gilda Garcia replaced her lawn with a mix of drought-tolerant plants. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times LINK: The Dry Garden: More drought ahead?.