Meadow at St Francis Woods Garden

Looking back at old posts of this garden, I realize I have been working here since 2016, about nine years.  But lots of work needed to prepare the site before any plants were added just two years ago.  This is the first autumn the plants have reach a good mature size.

Hell Strip Supports the Monarch Butterfly

I am so pleased to see six or so Monarch caterpillars on this Milkweed I planted years ago.   First time to witness the larva on one of my plants.  Direct action.  But apparently to some native plant enthusiasts, this is the wrong Milkweed to grow here on central coastal California.  These littles ones could have utilized the Showy Milkweed planted twenty feet away, but didn’t, they chose this one, Asclepias tuberosa.

Green Wall on 14th Street

Rough year, pandemic, massive warehouse fire that engulfed the entire block but left the facade with a green, now burnt wall.  Photograph on the day the sun didn’t come out due to very thick smoke from the wildfires in California.

Annie’s Annuals Nursery

 

Last of the Dahlias

I think this is the last week for Dahlias.   But it was a good week.   I really into the golden upper petal/burgundy under petal variety called Dahlia 'Gets Crazy' from Swan Island.   It's a big dahlia and I didn't adequately stake it this year but works well with Aster 'Little Carlow'.  

Other notable Dahlias this year: Dahlia 'Ripples' and Dahlia 'Nicholas'.

2018 Dahlias Blooming

Dearborn Community Garden Plot #12

Fall Asters with Dahlias and feverfew.  

Late Summer in Full Glory

This is my plot at Dearborn Community Garden in San Francisco.   I use this bed to test out new plants and color combinations and just see what happens.  It's always beautiful.  But today is the pinnacle of this seasons planting scheme.  Lots of late season dahlias and asters.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

A perfect sunny September day in the California garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.  This beautiful dry garden is in fall glory.  

Summer dormant Aesculus californica

Devil's Mountain Nursery

Here's some nice plants I saw while shopping at Devil's Mountain Nursery in San Ramon.  It's only open to the trade.

Aster ericoides 'Monte Cassino'

Pennisetum setaceum

Annie's Annuals Fall Sale

My buddy, Dino is being attacked by the giant green man at Annie's Fall Sale Party. I've been making this 45 minute trip from San Francisco for 10 years now. It is by far the most interesting nursery in the Bay Area. If you've never been, well, you should go! Here is some of the interesting things I saw:

At first I thought this was a verbena but it turns out to be Lavandula canariensis. Wonderful bright green leaves with a panicle of flowers that appears to bloom for months.

Bay Street Entry Garden

My latest installation in the front entry stairwell for a building in the Marina neighborhood. This low light interior space is open only to the sidewalk. It's a southern exposure with bright indirect light reflecting off the sidewalk.

Arts & Crafts Front Entry Garden - One Year Maintenance Visit

One year after planting, today I detailed this garden: staking, weeding, shearing and deadheading. This is my first garden design to incorporate those plants and ideas from my trip to England in 2012. This small front bed was a blank slate. The building's Arts & Crafts style is the theme for this planting.

Momiji Maple Nursery

The entrance to Momiji Nursery is marked by this large Hollywood Juniper.

Octavia Boulevard

In Hayes Valley along the old Caltrans right of way, the city allows urban farming until the parcel of land is sold to developers. This little community garden makes the otherwise bleak walk from the Mission to Hayes Street a lot more interesting.



Look at those really short sunflowers!

Heron's Head Park

Recently restored wetlands where the PG&E power plant used to be. It's gone. That's Hunter's point on the horizon.