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:
Bay Area California, Spring Wildflowers, Tennessee Valley Hike
Don’t miss it. The 2018 spring wildflowers are out and they are a lot of fun to spot. The other day I enjoyed a Marin headlands hike cruising up some trails in Tennessee Valley. I was pleasantly surprised to find over 12 different wildflowers, a few I still have no idea what they are. If you like discovering wildflowers and hiking here’s a photo illustration of my recent findings.
Mass Planting for Impact, Hudson River Park, NYC
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 in all seasons. In this post I’m going to be focusing on the […]
Mop-Head Hydrangeas: 5 of the Best for Summer Blooms!
One of the best plants for summer flowers is the hydrangea. This plant has about 23 species of shrubs, climbers and small trees, and are largely natives of East Asia and both North and South America. In this post I’m going to be talking specifically about ‘the shrub Hydrangea with mop-headed flowers…