Did autumn come late this year, just as everything else arrived in advance? It’s been a warm year, and cooler temperatures were late to arrive, waiting until mid-November to put on the chill. With low temperatures finally hitting the high 30’s (high fives in celsius, more fun to say) the leaves flipped their color switchesContinue reading “Autumn in the Central Valley”
Category Archives: Planting design
Flaming fall color
Staghorn sumac produces exceptional fall color, if you’re willing to chase down suckers and prune every year.
Lawn gone? These plants will spice up your new landscape!
We’ve been visiting Mountain States Nursery’s booths at conferences around the Southwest, everywhere but Sacramento, dreaming about exotic plant shapes, colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes to try back home… After concluding that getting their plants in Sacramento was basically Mission Impossible, we walked into our local landscape trade show to see a Mountain States booth.Continue reading “Lawn gone? These plants will spice up your new landscape!”
The meadow at it’s messiest: butterfly paradise
After summer’s growth, the asters have come into flower, bringing clouds of hungry butterflies. This is when the meadow is tallest, where it starts looking wild and unkempt. Asters arc in all directions, visited by multiple species of butterflies: skippers, buckeyes, blues, sulfurs… Beneath the asters, native goldenrod blooms following earlier waves of flowers nowContinue reading “The meadow at it’s messiest: butterfly paradise”
Gerberas, hydroponics and photo processing software
Those beautiful Transvaal Daisies you see in the florist probably didn’t grow in soil if they were produced in California. They’re cultivated in a special hydroponic growing medium, wetted regularly with a nutrient solution, and kept in the perfect conditions inside a greenhouse. The result is spectacular, at least until the flowers are harvested forContinue reading “Gerberas, hydroponics and photo processing software”
Five things to consider when removing your lawn
Removing lawn is a good thing if you live in an area where water is limited. You’ll save on your water bill, avoid breathing dust and smog from a mower and gain more color and interest. Here are some things to consider when removing your lawn to conserve water and create a more sustainable landscape.Continue reading “Five things to consider when removing your lawn”
Not just for the butterflies: California Dutchman’s Pipe
California Dutchman’s pipe vines flower in winter, feed caterpillars and are native to California. Interesting flowers, easy care and ecological benefits, all in one easy to grow plant!
Monterey Park garden growing up
Progress photos of a Los Angeles area subtropical garden designed to save water and be interesting year round.
The Joys of Fennel
Fennel plants are a great way to attract insects and birds to your garden.
Lights, Camera, Landscape!
What do you think about reality TV landscape programs? Are those landscapes dreams come true or nightmares waiting to happen? It’s amazing how in a matter of days an overgrown, weedy wasteland can become a beautiful new landscape. It’s nothing short of incredible. A brawny guy walks up with a plan, everyone squeals with pleasure,Continue reading “Lights, Camera, Landscape!”