~ A somewhat autobiographical look at how plants have impacted my life ~
Chasing Waterfalls
I finally made it to Niagara Falls!
But we also visited many more waterfalls in the Finger Lakes area of New York State. But our primary goal was to visit Watkins Glen State park where there are 19 waterfalls in a 1.5 mile hike with over 900 steps. We also checked out other waterfalls near Ithaca and even paid a visit to the Cornell Botanic Gardens, marveling at the area’s natural wonders. The trip ended with touring gardens at the annual Garden Fling in Buffalo.
Western Australia Wildflowers Stops
After touring the southern part of Western Australia, we headed north from Fremantle to Geraldton. Along the way, we made several stops to admire the wildflowers. Ian Wilson Trail Head We stopped along the roadside on Highway 1, the Brand
Dead Plant Diary
I was sorting through photos and came across this gem from March 31, 2022. Much of our garden is now over 25 years old, so I consider the area at the bottom of the hill, 100 feet lower than the
Geraldton Waxflowers
The first half of our Western Australia trip was from Perth south to Albany. The second half was from Perth up to Geraldton. When we visited Western Australia in 2017, we didn’t have enough time to venture north of Perth.
Not Quite the Stirling Ranges
Back in early 2025, when we were looking for a Western Australia tour, we stumbled upon one that caught our eye. It promised to show us the stunning Australian wildflowers. We were especially thrilled about the chance to visit Stirling
I Can Dig a Rainbow
With the lack of rain for the last month or so, there have been almost no rainbows, so I had to create my own. I finally found a purpose for all the broken and worn-out shovels I’ve accumulated over the
Kaua’i South Shore
We initially stayed at an Air B&B in Lāwai after spending time at Hanalei Bay. While the accommodation had charming decor and a good breakfast. The weather was rainy and cool, preventing pool use but creating serene sounds. We visited
Kaua’i North Shore
During our stay at the Hanalei Bay Resort, we enjoyed a well-appointed condo with a stunning view of the bay. Our first visit was to Limahuli Garden, a 17-acre botanical paradise showcasing Polynesian and indigenous Hawaiian plants, set against impressive
Chocolate Sunday
About 10 years ago, I first learned that we had native Fritillaria, specifically F. biflora (Chocolate Lily). Although I don’t think I had ever seen one in the wild, local native plant expert Edmond Piffard shared some photos of them
New Year’s Surprise
On New Year’s Eve 2026, heavy rain caused a 15-foot aloe tree in the author’s garden to topple. Despite attempts to save it, the decision was made to remove the plant. A silver torch cactus was relocated to fill the
Rain Diego
The post discusses recent extreme weather patterns in San Diego, highlighting significant rainfall, including a record 6 inches in 24 hours. Following an extended dry spell, winter rains began unusually early. The author also details storm damage to garden plants,
The Chelsea Australian Garden
September, Scott Borden, Kathy Ascher, and I participated in a garden tour in Western Australia. You can read more in my earlier blogs on Wireless Park and Kings Park located in Perth, Western Australia. After the tour, Scott traveled to
San Diego Mountains Fall Color
Long before the 2003 and 2007 fires in San Diego, Scott and I embarked on a November hike to the summit of Iron Mountain in Cuyamaca State Park. I was struck by the fact that, from the mountain’s peak, there