In early spring, it’s safe to say I’m in a state of ‘euphorbia euphoria.’ Clusters of otherworldly chartreuse flowers hover above many other perennials just emerging from winter, bringing much-needed color and nectar for hungry pollinators. But their flowers are just one of the many reasons they’re a staple in my zone-9 garden. They’re also […]
I love designing with ball-shaped flowers. Don’t get me wrong, I also adore spire-shaped flowers (click here if you missed that post!) However, there’s something about spherical shapes that always makes me smile. Maybe its because the lollipop shapes tend to be more playful? Or maybe its because the symmetrical, round balls are such a […]
I originally wrote this post about transforming a side yard eight years ago. However, I’m re-writing this in honor of my friend who created this magical side yard, and who recently unexpectedly passed away. I often highlight this garden in various presentations, and it’s always a HUGE hit with the audience. In fact, this garden […]
Every few years, when the conditions are just right, this meadow is filled with thousands and thousands of lupines. I just so happened to be visiting Lake Tahoe during this magical time and wanted to share these photos with you. This naturally occurring meadow is located just a few miles from Tahoe City, and […]
Fall is taking its sweet time showing up where I live in Granite Bay. As I currently write this, it’s late October and a way-too-hot 87 degrees outside, but my garden is loving it. Insects and hummingbirds are everywhere, buzzing from plant to plant, storing up as much energy as they can before cold weather […]
I’m excited to share my Top 15 favorite orange flowers with you because: 1) I absolutely love orange in my garden, and 2) In all the years I’ve been designing gardens, orange is hands-down the color that gets the most hate. Time and again, new clients repeatedly ask me to avoid using orange in their […]
Gardening on steep slopes is problematic at best. Ever try and plant, prune, or deadhead on a steep hill? NOT fun. I should know. I’ve spent the past 2 years working in my new garden , trying to tame a pretty slope that has caused me to shed a tear or two in frustration. And […]
I can’t believe it, but I’m coming up on the 2nd year anniversary since moving up north to Granite Bay from the Bay Area. During the past two years, I’ve been having so much fun touring lots of public and private gardens in the area. It seems like a lot of my favorite gardens are […]
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 […]
Remember last year when I wrote about my daughter’s newly found passion for monarch butterflies? Well, I recently received this text from her: “Guess who’s back!’ Emily was thrilled to find two more emerald chrysalises hanging from her front door – a repeat performance of last spring! (can you spot them? It’s the teeny tiny bright […]
Two days ago I flew to LA for the day to visit my daughter, and on a whim decided to visit the Getty Museum’s Central Garden. While I’ve been there before in the spring and summer, I’ve never visited in the fall and was excited to see the seasonal changes. The Central Garden differs from many of […]
One of my all-time favorite colors to use in the garden is black. While it can be tricky to find plants that have true black foliage (most are closer to maroon or deep purple), here are some of my favorites that come pretty close. And just in time for Halloween, too!
