Hi there and Happy Fall to you! Hopefully, you’re still finding time to garden. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area gardening and planting is year round with mild winter temperatures making this possible. Today is October 12, 2020 and our business is off to plenty of planting especially in the next few months of Indian Summer, where particularly in SF we get some of our warmest temps. In this post I hope you enjoy seven statement succulents from the iconic Agaves to the very sweet Aeonioums. With stripped or marbled leaves variegation gives you many options in plant design,
Variegated Foliage – A Simple Way to Add Contrast in Planting Design
As you can see from the lead photo of this large hedge of variegated buckthorn (Rhamnus a. ‘Variegata’) variegated leaves can be a useful tool to add beautiful, easy contrast to your plant design. In this short post, take a look at the “hue effect” variegated leaves play in visual contrast to different leaf color […]
Wisteria Vine: Rethinking Its Place in Small Home Garden Design
Vine choices in the garden, does it matter? And Wisteria is a giant. A vine known to swallow landscapes and buildings (I saw this first hand just outside Buenos Aires, Argentina). But, what about Wisteria’s potential and place in a small space or garden? (Lots of photos below.)
Sedona, Arizona: How Home Landscaping Reflects the Natural Environment
We’re just back from a week-long trip to Sedona, Arizona where arresting views of red rock canyons is a feast for the eyes and provides an incredible and unique backdrop for home owners. (Lots of photos below!!!) If you haven’t been to Sedona, this high desert paradise is a 2-hour drive from Phoenix (an easy […]
Awesome Conifer-Like Plants to Know!
I’m always obsessed with conifers (see link at bottom page for recent 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!
Garden Safe! Best Repellents For Those Disease Carrying Mosquitoes
Are you going to take a wait and see approach – let the mosquitoes have their way and just accept some bites??
No way! Not me! This year (new for me) I’m coming up with a proactive approach to dealing with mosquitoes, I have to, I’m a mosquito magnet. I used to be pretty casual about mosquitoes…
This Two Plant Combo Creates a Memorable Vignette!
For me, this small front garden using just two plants has me thinking about a scene in nature. Here in California it could be a grassy meadow with an oak tree (see the photo below.) So when I saw this, my associative mind was excited by the representation. But I was also excited by the 2-plant choices.
Front Setback: So Small there’s No Space for Curb Appeal?
If the front of your house or building melds into the sidewalk without any sort of setback, what can you possibly do to green your place up?
Is it possible to include a tiny little garden?
If not, are there other ideas to warm up, spruce up the front of your house?
Yes, and especially if you have some front setback. Take a look at a few different situations to get your creative juices flowing.
Q: Do I Need a Drainage Hole in my New Metal Planter?
A: You do if you’re planning on putting both plant and potting soil directly into the pot for the plant to grow. You don’t, if you just want to use the planter as an attractive catch pot used to display floral arrangements and plants.
When that Plant Makes Your House Shine!
I wanted to show you a few photos taken within the past year that are good examples of how combining plants with home architecture can reap lovely rewards.
Sometimes, and in a small front garden, the dominant focal point may be simply a flowering tree as you’ll see below. I think that seasonality plays a huge role here, especially if you are looking for that flowering magnolia or flowering cherry.