Tag: contests

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 […]

Design your Garden Toolkit – a review, a story, and a giveaway

Design your Garden Toolkit – a review, a story, and a giveaway

  Recently my good friend, Michelle Gervais (who was also the former garden editor of Fine Gardening magazine for many, many years) asked me to take a look at her new book ‘Design your Garden Toolkit.’ I jumped at the chance, knowing that her years of knowledge and down-to-earth approach would make for a fantastic […]

The Bold Dry Garden – a review and giveaway

The Bold Dry Garden – a review and giveaway

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to attend a party celebrating Timber Press’s new release, The Bold Dry Garden, written by Johanna Silver (who is also the garden editor for Sunset magazine). The event was held at one of my favorite places, The Ruth Bancroft Garden (appropriate, as that’s the subject of the […]

Garden therapy in the midst of trauma – a story and a giveaway

Garden therapy in the midst of trauma – a story and a giveaway

I’ve been home from my trip to New York for ten days now and have been excited to share with you some of the gardens I visited but life seems to have gotten in the way – for now, at least. On the last day of my trip, I received a phone call from Dan, […]

Pumice versus Perlite – Q & A pumice vs. perlite

Pumice versus Perlite – Q & A

Let me introduce you to the dynamic brother/sister team, Lexi and Austin Petelski, who own General Pumice Products. These young and dynamic gardeners own two California pumice mines and have offered to explain the differences between pumice and perlite. Those of you who love to plant succulents will especially appreciate pumice, as it not only helps absorb […]

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 […]

Quiet reflections, gratitude and a holiday offer for you

Quiet reflections, gratitude and a holiday offer for you

This is the fourth night in a row where I’ve awoke at 3:00 in the morning, not feeling sick and nauseous as I typically do during this week of my cancer treatment, but wide awake and filled with gratitude and happiness. Night after night I’ve quietly laid here, letting my mind wander to where it […]

S.F. Conservatory of Flowers: Aquascapes & Pitcher Plant Bonanza

S.F. Conservatory of Flowers: Aquascapes & Pitcher Plant Bonanza

This past weekend my husband, Tom, and I spent an afternoon wandering through the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, enjoying the rare chance to sneak away and visit a different world for awhile. I have a confession – while I’ve been there at least a half dozen times in my life and, yes, it’s truly […]

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 […]

Looking at your garden with fresh eyes

Looking at your garden with fresh eyes

As a designer, I’m often asked how I go about deciding how and where to begin when it comes to transforming a garden bed. While visualizing where to begin is relatively easy for me (it’s what I do for a living, after all!) I realize that’s not necessarily the case for others.  In fact, I experienced […]

Refresh Your Garden Design Virtual Book Party!

Refresh Your Garden Design Virtual Book Party!

I’m officially announcing the birth of my new baby…I mean book, Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture & Form, and to celebrate you’re all invited to attend my Virtual Book Party – with some very ‘refreshing’ party favors (yes, pun intended).  Six garden blogging friends and I are hosting 7 great giveaways this week, all related […]

Roo Garden Apron Review and Giveaway

If you’re like me, you’ve probably returned from a supposedly quick and casual stroll through the garden with your shirt flipped up in an attempt to to hold all the tomatoes, plums or apricots that were just begging to be picked. After dirtying umpteen clean shirts, I don’t know why I venture outside any longer […]