Tag: Containers

Replacing a Pool with a Garden turning a pool into a garden

Replacing a Pool with a Garden

Over the years, more and more people have asked me for help with replacing a pool with a garden.    Maybe it’s because of California’s ongoing drought?  Maybe it’s because of kids who have grown up and flown the coop?  Either way, removing a pool and replacing it with a garden is a hot topic […]

One Window Box for Four Seasons window box design

One Window Box for Four Seasons

I love designing a window box for all four seasons.  Not only because window boxes provide yet another opportunity to plant, but because they’re a fantastic way to add vertical interest in the garden. When standing in line at the grocery store, I can easily pass by all the fashion magazines, except for articles like […]

Repurposing trash into treasures for the garden

Repurposing trash into treasures for the garden

Annie Leonard, a proponent of sustainability, says ‘There is no such thing as ‘away.’  When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.’  This quote resonates deeply with me and is something I think about whenever it’s tempting to toss something that no longer has a purpose.  I love repurposed items in the garden. Things […]

Decorating with Plants – book review and giveaway

Decorating with Plants – book review and giveaway

I first met Baylor Chapman almost a decade ago when researching gardens for my first book, Garden Up!  (remember seeing these beautiful succulent shutters, below?  They’re Baylor’s.) I’ve since written about her floral design studio, Lila B. Design, and the fantastic community courtyard where she lives (click on the links to read more.) Well, when […]

I’m a caladium convert

I’m a caladium convert

I’ll admit it – I’ve never given much thought to caladiums.  But having trialed several this year (thanks to the generous folks at Classic Caladiums) I can proudly say I’m a Caladium Convert! Similar to coleus, they come in a psychedelic array of color combinations,.    Caladiums, however, seem to have more of an air […]

New Year, New Changes!

New Year, New Changes!

January has been a busy month for me, full of exciting changes (including a new look for my website and blog.)   And, in addition to my landscape design business, and writing for Horticulture magazine, I’ve also accepted the position of Seminar Manager for the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. For the past few months, […]

Tantalizing Tillandsias tillandsias air plants

Tantalizing Tillandsias

It’s no secret that this past year has been a whopper for me.  During most of my chemotherapy treatments I was able to continue writing and public speaking, but it became increasingly more difficult as time went on. After my surgeries (6 total!) I needed to hibernate for awhile and take a break from everything […]

Heavily Pruned

Today my mother and I took a little field trip to Palo Alto’s Elizabeth Gamble Garden. Even though it’s still early spring here, with our unseasonably warm weather, we couldn’t wait to see what early surprises we might find. As was expected, there was plenty to see in this early-spring garden. Like the Easter-egg drifts […]

NYC summer garden tour wrap-up guy wolff pottery

NYC summer garden tour wrap-up

As summer comes to a close, I thought I’d share with you the last gardening tidbits from my summer in New York. They might seem a little disjointed from one another, but I hope you find them interesting  nonetheless!  (To read about the other gardens I visited, click here, here, here, and here!) 1.  Guy […]

Book roundup + giveaway! The 20-30 Something Garden Guide, The Plant Recipe Book & Sunset’s Western Garden Book of Landscaping

Book roundup + giveaway! The 20-30 Something Garden Guide, The Plant Recipe Book & Sunset’s Western Garden Book of Landscaping

Spring has arrived! And along with the sweet scent of jasmine, the bursting blooms of tulips and rosebuds just beginning to open comes a new crop of gardening books.  Luckily my mailman remembers that, around this time each year, his load gets a little heavier with all the books I’m sent to review.  I thought […]

Mixing flowers with succulents in Debra Lee Baldwin’s garden

Mixing flowers with succulents in Debra Lee Baldwin’s garden

There’s no doubt about it, Debra Lee Baldwin certainly knows her succulents. But while visiting her Escondido, CA garden again a few months ago, I was struck by something else – the flowers! Not succulent flowers, but perennials, annuals, and native flowers that are planted throughout the garden. Sure, she’s known as an expert and […]

Indoor Plant Decor – Book Party, Review & Giveaways

Indoor Plant Decor – Book Party, Review & Giveaways

To celebrate the release of Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson’s new book, Indoor Plant Decor, you’re all invited to participate in their cyber book party (complete, of course, with loads of prizes!) I’ll be honest, when I was asked to review and join this event I was a little nervous as I’m one of those […]