Architectural plants with interesting texture for your garden? “Restios?” Hmmm. What’s a restio? If you’v never heard of them, you’re not alone! But like recent posts, if you’re looking for new plants to know for garden/planting design, then these 3 restios are worth knowing! To keep it simple, restios are grass-like or rush-like perennials. [Read more]
Awesome Conifer-Like Plants to Know!
I’m crazy about conifers (see link at bottom page for past post on conifers) so today, I want to share with you more info about them -but not really -them – instead, conifer like plants!
Now I know what you’re thinking… What’s this about?! But in your garden, the textural element of chosen plants (by way of foliage) can create a wonderful effect and these foliage effects can in turn create drama, tranquility, and an artistry left only to your creative imagination! [Read more]
12 Cool Australian Plants for your California Garden
New plants are being introduced all the time. If you’re getting ready to do some planting, check out these 12 amazing plants that come from DOWN Under. These awesome Australian natives are low maintenance if you plant the right plant in the right spot. All featured plants like moderate to low water and full to part sun, check out their specifics.
Ok, mates, here we go. Enjoy! [Read more]
Want a Hip Garden? Know these 5 Protea Family Plants!
Listen, whether you’re a plant/garden geek or not, these Protea family plants are an excellent choices for your dry Mediterranean climate garden. In this short post get ready to view 5 wonderful plants in the Protea family. These 5 are either native to the Mediterranean regions of South Africa or Australia. You may be familiar with Grevilleas and Leucadendrons and less familiar with Leucospermum, Banksia and Protea which tend to be harder to find in the nurseries, but they are being grown and you can get your hands on them. Definitely the most versatile of the bunch is Grevillea. This genus covers ground covers to large shrubs. All plants here prefer full sun, low water, well drained acidic soil, and absolutely no phosphorus fertilizers. Most should be hardy to 20 – 25 degrees. Enjoy! [Read more]
You’ll Love Conifers in your Garden: Here’s Why!
Conifers pull their weight in the garden like no other! This wonderful group of plants defined by having cone bearing seeds and mostly being evergreen can provide you with sizes ranging from the enormous giant redwood to a tiny dwarf. In between – are more modest sizes and shapes – from ground covers to shrubs to trees.
For practical and functional purposes evergreen conifers can be used in mass (as with arborvitae and yews, below) to screen unwanted views, create privacy, or add, easy, vertical greenery to a wall.
But if you like, unique, get to know the quirky conifers… [Read more]
6 Top Roses at Berkeley Rose Garden and Winter Rose Pruning!
Hello and Happy 2019 to you from Judy and me at Passionategardeners!!! Thanks for checking in.
Now you may be wondering, WHY, in the middle of January, I decided to write a post about “favorite roses at the Berkeley Rose Garden” but there is a reason- the main one being, January, is key time for annual rose pruning if you live in a mild Mediterranean climate. [Read more]
California’s Best Fall Color? Go Nevada City!
This 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 … [Read more]
Looking for Lodgepole Pine & Red Fir in California’s Sierra Nevada
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 … [Read more]
Fun Tip: Save your Tomato Seeds and Grow Them!
Judy 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 … [Read more]
Outdoor Artificial Trees Can Solve Problems in Your Landscape
There 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 … [Read more]