Saying goodbye to your garden with pressed flowers can help make this emotionally challenging event a bit more bearable. I remember just a few years ago when I said goodbye to my garden of 30+ years – hoo boy, was that hard. While I came up with some helpful coping strategies to make the transition […]
Geraniums and pelargoniums may look fragile and delicate, but they’re actually some of the hardest working plants in my garden. Why? They’re ignored by browsing deer, they take our never-ending drought with a grain of salt, and I even have a some in our zone 6 Lake Tahoe garden that don’t mind being buried under […]
It’s been no easy feat designing a barren berm and transforming it into a pollinator paradise. But, five years later I’m happy to say it’s been a huge success. Believe it or not, the depressing photo (left) is now one of my favorite areas of the garden (below.) When designing gardens for others, I always […]
Often overlooked, the color white frequently takes a back seat to all the showier colors out there, which is such a shame! Though people may think of white as subdued, colorless, or ordinary – it’s actually incredibly versatile, serving many functions in the garden. Is your garden too chaotic, boring, shady, or hot? Believe it […]
Have any of you heard of the Little Island garden before? Well, I sure hadn’t, so imagine my surprise when I quite literally stumbled upon this breathtaking fall garden that appeared to float in the Hudson River! A few weeks ago, my daughter, Emily, and I took a quick trip to New York City. It’s […]
Growing tulips in warm climates can certainly be done; it just takes a little extra work in the form of pre-chilling the bulbs (but boy, is it worth it!) Fall seems to be the time of year new clients tell me they want loads of tulips planted in their new garden beds to enjoy for […]
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’ve been designing with ornamental grasses for decades and consider them an indispensable staple not only in my own garden but in those I design. However, when meeting with new clients, I’m always amazed at how often I hear something along the lines of ‘I really like grasses, but I’m not sure how to use […]
Over the past several years, I’ve written a lot about creating a lawn-free garden. I’ve talked about everything from the nitty -gritty details of removing a lawn, to loads of before-and-after lawn-free transformations, to must-have books and resources that will guide you through every step of the process. With so many new subscribers this past […]
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 […]
My friend, Baylor Chapman, is one of those people who have chlorophyll running through their veins. She’s not only the founder of Lila B. Design, a San Francisco flower design studio, but one of my favorite authors ever (if you haven’t read Decorating with Plants, you’re missing out!) I was absolutely smitten with her (now […]
When talking with a new client, landscaping for privacy is at the top of most people’s wish list. Whether the need is to screen neighbors who are a tad too close, obscure an offending garden eyesore or create a secluded courtyard in the front garden, like in the photo (left.) When it comes to gardens, […]
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