Short Fence Love! The short fence interests me particularly because the community feel still exists, as does the interplay between public and private. With a short fence, the home’s boundaries are clearly delineated and in place, while at the same time, the home garden’s aliveness and personality are still there – and sometimes – for all to view! Alternatively, and for more privacy, short fences can be used to foil and screen. [Read more]
October’s Beach and Coastal Gardens, Stinson Beach and Seadrift

Stinson beach home and garden
In this short photo post, I want to highlight the beauty of plants and life close to the waves of salty sea air. Not a lot of plants are acclimated to salt air and heavy winds. In this post, natives by way of beach grasses, perennials, and trees are included. Also, designed home garden plantings where the importance of choosing plants acclimated to coastal influences is a priority. These Stinson Beach and Seadrift photos were taken in October 2021, a few were taken in July, and are noted. I hope you enjoy them! [Read more]
How to Choose Perennials for Less Maintenance?
If you’re looking for some color this spring, summer and fall perennials are a good bang for your buck. For a definition refresher, a perennial is:
A plant that survives from year to year in a temperate climate but dies back just above or below the ground at the onset of the dormant season. ~Source: Understanding Perennials by William Cullina
Plant Spot Light: Lion’s Tail for Late Summer/Fall Color

Leonotus leonurus ‘ White’ – White Lion’s Tail
In this short post let’s have a look at Leonotus leonurus (Lion’s Tail) a ‘must have’ plant for the dry Mediterranean garden. This evergreen perennial does very well in mild winter climates where fast draining soils set-up for year round flowering. Though peak flowering is summer to fall – if you prune mildly, leaving your shears mainly to dead-heading, Lion’s Tail will surprise you some blooms here and there throughout the year. [Read more]
Spooky Property Damaging Japanese Knotweed Haunts Homeowners this Halloween!
Just when you thought Halloween ? couldn’t get any scarier – think again! Japanese knotweed is a homeowner’s property nightmare in many states and countries.
This spookily invasive plant is so damaging, and bad, that in the UK, there is a company, Knotweed Services UK (Ltd), specializing fully on it’s removal, including a payment plan and guaranteed 10-year warranty. [Read more]
How This Midwest College Town: Bloomington, Indiana Inspires!
Decades after graduation, it was time for Judy and me to revisit my college, Indiana University, in Bloomington, Indiana for a few weeks visit this summer 2022. We had visited for a week, in February of 2022, and were both so enamored, we wanted to return. This Midwestern college town delivers in the ways that college towns do.
With a population of 80,000, half of which are college students, the town is based around the university, founded in 1820.
Small Garden: 11 Best Hedges for Screening and Privacy

One of the best ways to get privacy from your neighbors, or to screen unwanted views is to plant a hedge. But which shrubs make the best screens? If you have a small garden, I'd like to steer you in a direction that cuts down your overwhelm: Oh no, … [Read more]
Bougainvillea Shrubs for Curb Appeal! (Part 2)

If you live in a climate where Bougainvillea will grow to be a flowering skyscraper vine, don't hesitate to consider another form: SHRUB BOUGAINVILLEA. If you're not sure what that looks like, let me introduce you to a beautiful Berkeley, … [Read more]
Bougainvillea : See How this Vine Blooms in SF Bay Area Gardens Seasonally! (Part 1)

Bougainvillea is considered to be one of the most beautiful flowering vines of all! Pretty much every home owner asks about the possibility of growing one. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, these tropical thorny plants, native to South America, do … [Read more]
3 Small Trailers Great for Containers and Gardens with Spring and Summer Blooms

Looking for some flowering trailers for hanging baskets, containers or the garden? It's hard to get tired of all the blooms! Take a look a these 3 below. This is a short post but timely as it's a perfect time to get shopping and planting to get the … [Read more]
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