August 19, 2025

The Asters - The Fantastic Ones Known as Symphyotrichum

What’s blooming in my gardens in August?  The asters are starting to go.  Along with the already blooming Astromeria and Agapanthus.   This trio is divine.  The Astromeria has been blooming nonstop since April, maybe March. The Agapanthus since July.

My Garden at 375

August 05, 2025

Plant Profile: 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.    

White flower (l) and seed head (r)

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 21, 2025

Plant Profile: 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

Plant Profile: 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 09, 2025

Memphis Fling - Fourth Day

This Disco across from our hotel at 9am.

The fourth day of the Fling garden tour was more relaxed.   A whole neighborhood, Cooper-Young,  was having an open garden event and we walked from garden to garden.

Memphis Fling - Extra Days Off

Frank and I arrived a day before the tour began and stayed three days after.  We wanted days to explore Memphis without any itinerary.  From my window seat this is downtown Memphis and the mighty Mississippi River. 


June 08, 2025

Memphis Fling - Third Day


Sunday Morning 7am, BB King's Blues Club is quiet.  Nobody was out on the street.  Perfect way to see a sight.  But we are here to see gardens.  Today we go out to the suburban town of Germantown.

June 07, 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 

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 

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.


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.



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