The Native Sage Festival is being held tomorrow, March 28, 2015, at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. I will be giving two short talk-walks (10:30 am and 1 pm) on the horticultural use of native sages. There are so many native sages, including a myriad of cultivars, that one is quickly overwhelmed. However, many of these cultivars are very
Taking the mystery out of sage
Top 20
People new to using California native plants are often overwhelmed by the many new and unfamiliar plants. Some of us “experts” further confuse these newcomers by using botanical names. Today I spent some time looking for short lists containing the most commonly used garden natives. The very best list I found was on the Tree of
A Garden of Four or Five
It is planting season in California. Although gardens may not look their best right now, it is the time of year for Californians to be garden-crazy. It is a little difficult because we seem to get the gardening bug when everything is in bloom. Those who live in places where winter means snow and cold
Irresistible Monkeyflowers
Is there anyone who does not love monkeyflowers? Even the name is adorable. Given the variety of colors, their showiness, and their enthusiasm for going into bloom – with or without roots – they are irresistible. Now for a wee bit of background before hitting you with colorful pictures – and yes, the term “garden