Tag: Sonoma

Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s Garden freeland sabrina tanner

Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s Garden

Welcome to Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s garden!  I’m re-writing this post (originally written over 12 years ago!) to introduce newer readers to my favorite garden ever. After a several-year absence, I recently revisited this garden, and while I didn’t think it was possible to get any better than it was – boy was I wrong.  […]

California Carnivores

California Carnivores

While visiting Sonoma earlier this summer, I told my husband that I just had to see a nursery located in Sebastapol, just a few miles away. He groaned, assuming that once again he’d be stuck wandering alone through the aisles of yet another nursery while I quickly disappeared, only to return an hour later with a […]

A White Cloud on Wordless Wednesday

Earlier this week I wrote about my visit to Cornerstone Gardens and showed you the Red Lantern garden created by the amazing duo Andy Cao and Xavier Perrot. Today I wanted to introduce you to their other installation titled ‘White Cloud’.  You would be correct in saying I’ve found my new favorite contemporary artists.

The grasses at Cornerstone Gardens

The grasses at Cornerstone Gardens

Sonoma’s Cornerstone Gardens is one of my very favorite public gardens to visit any time of year. In my opinion, though, the fall is the best time of all. Not only are the summer crowds long gone but the colors of fall are just beginning to explode.  No longer filled with grapes, the surrounding vineyards […]

Wordless Wednesday – The 2nd Annual Heirloom Exposition

Yesterday I met my good friend Patty Craft (with Horticulture Magazine) at the National Heirloom Exposition in Sonoma, CA.  What exactly is the expo? Their website says it best: The National Heirloom Exposition is a not-for-profit event centered around the pure food movement, heirloom vegetables, and anti-GMO activism.    

Knock-out Kniphofias Adding height with flowering, towering plants

Knock-out Kniphofias

Knock-out kniphofias (aka: Red Hot Pokers) are a surefire way to add exciting vertical interest to any garden. Beginning in mid-spring, slender, snake-like stalks rise from a clump of grass-like foliage (sometimes appearing to grow a few inches a day!) Then, look out as the flowers begin to put on their show, slowly opening from […]

Cottage Gardens in Petaluma – Garden Up’s next stop!

If you love clematis, edibles, succulents and everything in between then Cottage Gardens of Petaluma is nursery you MUST visit! Many already know this nursery as one of the best sources around for unusual varieties of clematis. But Bruce Shanks, the owner, has clearly been bitten by Succulent Fever.  Everywhere I look there’s unbelievable specimens […]

Sprinkler Garden Art

  Okay, okay – by now most of you who have been reading my blog for any time now probably feel like they’ve personally strolled through Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s garden and have seen everything I could possibly show them, right?  WRONG! Freeland is an amazing powerhouse of creativity and has just finished building two […]

The Tanners’ Eye-Candy Containers succulents in containers

The Tanners’ Eye-Candy Containers

Hands-down, the most incredible containers I’ve ever seen are those created by Freeland and Sabrina Tanner. I’m honored to call this landscape design dream team good friends of mine and try to visit their Napa Valley garden as often as possible. I’ve written about their glorious garden here and here, but today I want to highlight their breathtaking containers. Artfully […]