Nothing says ‘spring is on its way’ like seeing row after row of pretty primroses arrive at the nursery. The botanical name of a primrose is primula, which comes from the Latin word ‘primus,’ meaning ‘first.’ This is the perfect name for them, as they’re the trailblazers of the early spring garden. They’ll even bloom […]
Visiting Seattle’s Kubota Garden is like taking a masterclass in the study of form and shape. Located in the middle of a quiet suburban neighborhood, it’s somewhat of a surprise to find this secret gem of a garden nestled among its residential neighbors. In the garden is a memorial stone dedicated to the creator of […]
Pantone, the gurus of color, have chosen ‘Peach Fuzz’ as their 2024 Color Of The Year Normally I don’t pay much attention to trendy colors, because at the end of the day I’m going to plant what makes my heart sing, no matter the color! However, peach just happens to be one of my favorite […]
Winter berries in the garden are a treat for gardeners craving color during these cold and rainy months, but more importantly for hungry birds. Winter berries are filled with sugar and fat for birds, helping them to withstand freezing temperatures and sustain them during their migration. Even as I write this, the shrubs and […]
Pink flowers for the fall garden aren’t usually the colors gardeners think of, which is such a shame! When combined with fall’s traditional colors of orange, yellow, and red, the color pink can result in unexpected stunning color combinations. I was recently discussing this with a client who was so surprised that her ‘Sheffield’s Pink’ […]
I can relate to this woman – swap out her lush green hillside with California’s crispy brown hills, and the picture would be complete. Even the most avid gardeners can struggle with how to wake up the late summer garden after a long, hot summer. August through September can be a tough time for […]
Today I’m sharing a delicious elderflower cordial recipe, compliments of my elderberry tree. But first, a little info about this magnificent native plant that I inherited when I moved here seven years ago. Several elderberry varieties are native to the West Coast, but mine is a sambucus mexicana (commonly called Mexican Elderberry or Tapiro.) This […]
Designing a modified meadow in my new garden has been one of the most challenging yet most rewarding things I’ve ever created. Also known as meadowscaping (a popular trend that replaces traditional lawns with a native, slightly overgrown, prairie-inspired garden), my ‘modified’ meadow fits into this category, yet with a twist – hence the ‘modified.’ […]
Why do I love grevilleas for drought-tolerant, deer-resistant gardens? Let me count the ways: 1. They take 100-degree days in the full sun like a champ, never showing a hint of fatigue (which makes sense since they’re native to Australia!) 2. They’re also deer-resistant, thanks to irritating substances in the foliage and flowers. I’ve watched […]
Designing a hellstrip is often an afterthought, something considered once the rest of the garden is complete, which is such a shame! When visually connected to the rest of the garden, a well-designed hellstrip adds cohesion to the overall design, and can act as an eye-popping ‘welcome mat.’ What exactly is a hellstrip, anyway? […]
Today I’m excited to share with you the beauty of the Chihuly Garden and Glass in winter. It’s been a whopper of a winter, and while I’m not complaining, I must say, I’m feeling pretty starved for garden tours right now. Name a gardener that isn’t feeling this way, right? But finding a garden that’s glorious in the […]
Planting around tree roots (especially when the roots are giant and growing above the ground!) is one of the questions frustrated homeowners often ask me. Gardeners end up feeling defeated and either 1) don’t plant anything or 2) end up planting a lawn around the tree (which has its own set of problems like […]
