August 12, 2025

Memphis Fling - Second Day

Annesdale Mansion


We toured at least 12 gardens on Saturday June 7th, the second day at the Memphis Fling.  Memphis is a small second city kind of city in the middle of the United States.  The natural beauty for this landscape dominated by the mighty Mississippi River seen by the large areas of green space, Ox Bow lakes and large trees.   Although the city has many problems, it has some enthusiastic people who love this place and take their duty seriously.

First Day of Memphis Fling 

August 05, 2025

Lomelosia stellata (Scabiosa Starflower)

I saw a photo of this plant’s seedhead a few years ago and have wanted to work with it into my gardens ever since.  So I am very pleased to seed the first bloom.    



July 28, 2025

Consolida ajacis 'Earl Grey'?

 This Consolida self-sown itself in my garden on Guerrero in February.   Copiously so I know it was one I planted last year.   Which according to my seed records it would be Consolida ajacis 'Earl Grey'.   I have sown a few different Consolida over the last three years.  One is white but this one doesn't match the photos I see when I search the internet.  It's a single and the leaves are more palm-like than fern-like, dark green with a heavy waxy surface.


July 22, 2025

Memphis Fling Sponsors

Here are most of the products given to us on this tour.   A group of 75 garden bloggers and social media personas.  So far I have been reading the Weeds of the Pacific Northwest from Timber Press and will include a book review soon.  I have the CobraHead hand tool in my tool bag but have yet to have the opportunity to work with it.  More on that one too.


July 21, 2025

Gladiolus n. papilio 'Ruby'

 I planted this one a couple years ago.  Love this rich ruby coloring.  It doesn’t seem to get the rust like the larger florist gladiolus. 




July 17, 2025

Agapanthus 'Back in Black'

 I planted this clump of Agapanthus from Digging Dog Nursery in December 2022.   This is the first time to bloom and the first time I have been able to assess the color. 


July 03, 2025

Unique Biennial for the Meadow - Clary Sage

 Over the last few years I have been growing more of my plants from seeds.  Although it takes at least 24 months from sowing until a one-gallon plant,  I find it worthwhile.   But with a plant that tends to be biennial you can lower that to nine months.  Sow in the fall and flowers in July. 


June 15, 2025

Beaujolais Sweet Peas

 Here’s an annual I sowed last fall for an early start this year.  


June 06, 2025

Memphis Fling - First Day

East Memphis neighborhoods and parks including the botanical gardens, Sexton/Thornton and Dixon Gallery. 

To see the Second Day of Memphis Fling

Mimosas at the Memphis Botanic Garden 

May 23, 2025

Garden Conservancy - Open Gardens

Saturday, May 10, 2025

This garden in Piedmont is 1.5 acres.  The current owner is in their thirteen-year of a twenty-year garden renovation project.  There are ten large sequoias underplanted with largely inappropriate rhododendrons and moisture loving shade plants.  A feel of the Arts and Crafts in the house architecture with it’s brick terraces and chimneys. 


May 20, 2025

Garden Conservancy - Open Gardens

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Max and Justin’s Oakland garden is a horticulturalist’s collection.   A small gardens packed full of epiphytes around their cute bungalow.  Intimate spaces to sit, relax and meditate.



May 06, 2025

May Flowers in San Francisco

 A few snapshots of May Flowers in my gardens of San Francisco.

Iris - Each stalk yields 8-9 double-socketed buds

May 02, 2025

Dearborn Garden's Rose Border

On Friday mornings, there is no parking along this section of Bird Street.    This is effectively the Rose border for Dearborn Community Garden.  Well maintained by a dedicated member of the garden.  


April 15, 2025

Saint Francis Woods Garden - April Flowers

This is the start of the second spring for this newly plants residential backyard.  The layers of bulbs, annuals, flowering perennials and shrubs fill two rectangular beds.  

Narcissus, Geum and Leptospermum (Tea Tree)

Bernal Hill Garden - April Flowers

 

Wisteria trained up a thin pole. 

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