Passionate Gardeners

Non-Stop Gardening Tips & Inspiration

California’s Best Fall Color? Go Nevada City!

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Fall color in Nevada City, CA 2018This past weekend, Oct. 26 – 27th, we spent the night in Nevada City (an historic quaint, Gold Rush town nestled in the foothills of the Sierras.) We had no idea that this was THE PLACE TO BE for fall color in Northern California. We had had an overnight in Tahoe the night before to enjoy quacking aspens in peak color. (See photo below.)

Anyway… we didn’t think we’d be taking a tree walk in Nevada City, but after chatting with friendly locals and getting info from Nevada City Chambers of Commerce’s website suggesting a self-guided, fall color tree walk, we were in! [Read more]

Looking for Lodgepole Pine & Red Fir in California’s Sierra Nevada

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18 year old dog in mammoth ca There’s nothing better then asking my dog Roz – the cute 18 year old terrier pictured here to lead the way!

With her in charge, we were able to discover some ‘new to us’ conifers on a recent trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Two that I’m going to focus on are:

~ Lodegpole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana)
~ California red fir (Abies magnifica) [Read more]

Fun Tip: Save your Tomato Seeds and Grow Them!

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tomato seeds stored on paper towelJudy and I are just back from a short trip to Vancouver, and wanted to share this cool idea/tip we learned about how you can grow tomatoes next year on the cheap.

I’m going to show you several photos, to give you an idea about the space these home farmers dedicate to their annual tomato growing. [Read more]

Outdoor Artificial Trees Can Solve Problems in Your Landscape

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Artificial trees can solve landscape problemsThere are times when you need to look for alternative planting options because living plants aren’t the best choice.

But artificial plants? What the heck could possibly make you think of using fake plants as a substitute for nature’s own?

In this post we’re going to take a look at the practical side of using artificial plants.

If you’re not familiar, there are now many types of artificial plants you can buy – all the way from succulents, topiaries, to believe it or not, trees! [Read more]

Spotlight on Coreopsis Verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis)

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Coreopsis verticillata

If you like tough perennials, Coreopsis is all that and more! This genus is known for its vigorous daisy flowers:
they are bright, cheery and either shades of yellow or red.

The species, Coreopsis verticillata – (a.k.a Threadleaf coreopsis) pictured here, is an excellent choice for the sunny garden. Its foliage, like the common name Threadleaf coreopsis implies, is finely divided, bright green and forms a lacy backdrop for those happy brilliant yellow flowers. [Read more]

Plant Spot Light: Cordyline for Bold, Easy Architectural Effect!

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photo collage Cordyline plantingsC is for Cordylines. For the border or for containers, these architecturally bold plants are worth knowing – particularly if you live in Zones 9 – 11. One of the nice things about this genus is that the taller growing ones; Cordyline australis and its’many cultivars, make excellent palm-like trees, taking up little space in the small garden but giving you that exotic, tropical feel. Cordylines are evergreen shrubs and perennials in the Asparagus family and related to Yuccas and Agaves. One common name for Cordyline is Cabbage Palm and as you read this post you’ll come to see why. [Read more]

Mass Planting for Impact, Hudson River Park, NYC

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Park garden mass planting with roses, coreopsis and centranthus ruber.

Taking a walk along the Hudson River in lower Manhattan on a beautiful New York summer day can't be beat! The expansive beauty with miles of path system is an extraordinary and delightful buffer from the city's urban concrete jungle.  It's amazing … [Read more]