Tag: Variegated Leaves

Transforming a side yard from Blah to Beautiful Transforming a side yard

Transforming a side yard from Blah to Beautiful

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 […]

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 […]

Designing a garden for Sunset magazine. No pressure!

Designing a garden for Sunset magazine. No pressure!

A few weeks ago, Johanna Silver (Sunset Magazine’s Garden Editor) reached out and asked if I would be interested in designing a garden for a forthcoming article, with the emphasis on using plants from Sunset’s new Western Garden Collection. Hmmmm….tough decision.  Let me get this straight, I thought, design a garden for Sunset?  Where I […]

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 […]

Five ways to warm a winter garden

Five ways to warm a winter garden

A few days ago I spoke to my friend who lives in Boston, and when I complained that my garden was taking a beating during a recent week of unrelenting 28-degree temperatures, he was shocked – in California? Yes, even in the land of sunshine it often dips below freezing on a cold winter night, […]

Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture and Form

I’m over-the-moon with excitement to announce that my new book, Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture and Form is officially finished and will be available in bookstores next month – Oct. 20th, to be exact! After seeing a review copy for the first time last week, I can honestly say that I’m immensely proud of this […]

A low-water, high-style succulent garden in San Diego

A low-water, high-style succulent garden in San Diego

I don’t think I’ve ever been as rude to another designer as I was when I saw this garden. A few weeks ago I visited my good friend Debra Lee Baldwin who graciously introduced me to a wonderful landscape designer, Frank Mitzel of Aesthetic Design. Frank kindly took us to see a garden that he […]

Fall’s Fantastic Light

. There’s so many things I love about Fall – the holidays, the food, the smell of the heater turning on for the first time, putting the extra blanket on the bed and the way the garden begins to quiet down. , I think one of my favorite things, however, is the way the sun’s […]