Passionate Gardeners

Non-Stop Gardening Tips & Inspiration

Short Fence Ideas for Privacy, Community or Boundary!

By Leave a Comment

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

By

Stinson beach home and garden

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?

By

home garden in mill valley, caIf 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

[Read more]

Plant Spot Light: Lion’s Tail for Late Summer/Fall Color

By

Leonotus leonurus ' White' - White Lion's Tail

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!

By

Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) can be Invasive!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!

By

Indiana University Bloomington Auditorium morning 8/2022Decades 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.

[Read more]

Bougainvillea Shrubs for Curb Appeal! (Part 2)

By

Red and Purple Bougainvillea Blending

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]