During my walks around the city of South Pasadena, I frequently come across new low water-use, native plant landscapes that I have not seen before. Surprised, I ask myself, “When did this happen?” That is just what occurred a couple of weeks ago. Check out these wonderful before and after pictures that I was able to […]
native grasses
My tips on growing natives in containers
I want to start this post by stating the obvious: the following tips are things that I do to grow plants in containers. Some of my suggestions are not conventional, in fact, some plant people may strongly disagree with me. The main reason for this is that I do not purchase potting mix, amendments, fertilizers, […]
Life stages of a native plant garden
Gardens, like people, have life stages. In the beginning, they grow vigorously, even rampantly. Maybe the first year or two seems a bit slow for a new native plant garden. Some plants don’t do much and losses are usually higher in this very early stage. The next few years (around years two to five), however, […]
Dividing Deergrass
The nature park anniversary celebration is over. Yay! The plant sale is over. Yay! And the weather is perfect for gardening, cool and overcast. YAY! As I walk around the yard thinking about what has worked and what hasn’t, I have lots of ideas on what I want to do. It is so exciting that […]
CNPS PLANT SALE, Nov. 8th at Eaton Canyon Nature Center
This year the plant sales were early. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, which for years and years held its sale on the first weekend in November, jumped to the head of the line by holding a Fall Planting Festival a whole month earlier. The San Gabriel Mountains Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), […]
Disappearing lawn
A month ago when we had just returned from India, I was sitting in my office looking out the window at the front lawn. The grass on the east side of the front yard is one of the few remaining patches of green. However, it is clear that that area is not getting enough water. […]
Santa Rosa Plateau
Forty days until we are up in the air flying 10,250 miles from Los Angeles to Mumbai. I am feeling homesick already, but up for the adventure. To enjoy the best of southern California before leaving, last week I went to the Santa Rosa Plateau in Riverside County. This is an amazing place. If you […]
In the beginning
In the heat of the summer of 1999 I take pieces of scrap paper and sketch the long, narrow parkway bed on the east side of our corner lot. It is about 170 feet long and six feet wide, and covered with weedy grass. Two books, Bob Perry’s Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes, […]
Front Parkway (Part 3)
Looking back at the October posts I wrote on the front parkway project, I am feeling good about how things are progressing. On October 19th , the weedy grass in the parkway was dug out by men younger and stronger than me. It was a pleasure to watch this part of the project proceed so […]
Front Parkway (continued)
The front parkway project continues, while I try to figure out exactly what I want. I have tossed around lots of ideas, such as: Striking, architectural succulents. A kind of modern look. Too modern? Dudleyas and juncus – odd combination, succulent and wiry, powdery gray and shiny dark green – flowing from the front yard […]