A crop of mixed lettuce and spinach

admin | December 29, 2009

I sowed a crop of mixed greens and spinach in my new raised bed back at the beginning of December. The raised bed includes uprights at each corner to help support a floating row cover, so important in winter. The row cover keeps the tender seedlings protected from drying winds and frost and keeps [...]

Fire Safe Favorites: Fire Safe Summer Combo

Firefox | July 29, 2009

I just took this photo in the East Border. It shows a great combo of fire safe plants for summer color.
The combo features Aloe x nobilis with red blooms, purple flowers from Teuchrium, Scarlet Flower Carpet rose, Gaillardia Goblin, Gold strap leaves of Phormium, plus blue Perovskia Longin, and the purple leaves of Prunus cistiana, [...]

New Garden in Monterey

Firefox | June 2, 2009

I wanted to share the first view of the new garden I am planting in Monterey. It features an enclosed back patio shaded by tall cypress and eucalyptus.
 
 
I chose a mix of semi-shade tolerant plants including Kangaroo Paw, Diascia, Boronia, Cordyline, Richmond Begonia and species Fuchsia
to provide a variety of blooms and textures all year [...]

Botanist: sustainable, fire-safe outdoor living

admin | April 15, 2009

Ultra modern Chic Botanist series by Orange 22 Design Lab, Click on photo for link

Wichita

Firefox | March 6, 2009

Just so you don’t think early spring in Wichita can be a bit dreary and boring, I walked about 2 miles to check out early spring bulbs braving the dry cold winds.  Inside Botanica, the Wichita Garden, I found masses of Reticulata Iris in bloom.
 
 
 
This tiny iris only stands about 6 inches high and they [...]

Roses: Not too late to prune!

Firefox | March 6, 2009

This could be a question of the week for sure! We have had a few weeks of wet weather, so not many folks have made it out into the garden.  But even though it is already Mid March, you can still prune your roses. 
Remember that the idea of pruning is to encourage strong new growth, [...]