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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

FOG! The beginning of our second winter....

July is the start of our second winter when this massive blanket of fog engulfs The City.   From now through August and sometimes mid-way through September, we surrender to depression and extra coffee.  Soup is good too.  I use some of this time to travel.  The photo below is from my roof deck looking toward Castro showing just the top of Sutro Tower on Twins Peaks.  In foreground is the spire for The Mission Delores.   

Sidewalk "Hell-Strip" Planting

I love all plants but succulents in general don't make it into my gardens.  Succulents have a many great fans and I do appreciate their easy, low maintenance qualities.   Design wise, most plantings look like someone up-chucked a kaleidoscope.   Most people fail by choosing too many varieties of color, texture and stature.   I came accross this street side planting and instantly appreciated the simple, refined palette choice.   Like most planting schemes, limited number of plant but repeated is the way to go.  

What makes this planting successful is just three plants repeated.   Aeonium, Cotyledon orbiculata and Senecio.

Spring & Summer MUG Gardens

Here's a posting showing my professional gardens (MUG) for Spring & Summer this year, 2017. Starting in March, this garden is in Glen Park with lush green growth from a phenomenal season of rain. This years additions include the blue Dutch iris, Orlaya, Magnolia and Exochorda.

Silver and White Front Entry Garden in Glen Park

 I have added more white agapanthus to fill in this bed.  This is a tough location.  High, dry, sunny with two Monterey Cypress sucking up everything.  But Agapanthus is a tough one too.  Let's go!

Cottage Garden in Bernal Heights

Beautiful bright summer afternoon on the top of Bernal Heights.  This slightly sloping garden is small and packed full of plants.   Below roses and lilies in bloom.

Summer Snapshots

Here's some snapshots from July 2016.

Glen Park Entry Garden

I ran across this perfect succulent garden on my way to a birthday party in Glen Park. The colors are amazing and the textures are flawless. Not to mention each plant was a true specimen. Kudos to the owner, design and installer, whomever they may be.

Great combination of Yucca, Aloe with 3 types of Agave. 

The Ruth Bancroft Garden Tour

This is one of our first garden tour.   To Walnut Creek, California to The Ruth Bancroft Garden and a private palm garden.