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 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
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 […]
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 […]
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 overnight in Tahoe the night before to […]
Looking for Lodgepole Pine & Red Fir in California’s Sierra Nevada
If you are out and about in the Sierra Nevadas – skiing, hiking – there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find these two conifers. A bonus is that you might be able to ID them in winter while skiing since these needle-leaved conifers (like most conifers) are evergreen!
Fun Tip: Save your Tomato Seeds and Grow Them!
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.
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 really the best choice. But artificial plants? What the heck could possibly make you think of using fake plants…
Spotlight on Coreopsis Verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis)
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.
Plant Spot Light: Cordyline for Bold, Easy Architectural Effect!
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.
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: