~ A somewhat autobiographical look at how plants have impacted my life ~
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. We’d wanted to see the famous Geraldton Waxflowers, Chamelaucium uncinatum and maybe even find the much photographed wreath flower, Lechenaultia macrantha, in bloom. So this trip was a chance to complete the tour. As it turns out our waxflower visit was to a commercial grower. And guess what? They look just the same when grown commercially there as they do when grown in California—or in landscapes all over Western Australia, like Kings Park and the freeways around Perth. Besides 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. We’d wanted to see the famous Geraldton Waxflowers, Chamelaucium uncinatum and maybe even find the much photographed wreath flower, Lechenaultia macrantha, in bloom. So this trip was a chance to complete the tour. As it turns out our waxflower visit was to a commercial grower. And guess what? They look just the same when grown commercially there as they do when grown in California—or in landscapes all over Western Australia, like Kings Park and the freeways around Perth. Besides the
O Canada! Revisited
The author reflects on how a 1984 family trip to British Columbia inspired their gardening journey in Encinitas, California. Revisiting Butchart and VanDusen Gardens in 2016, they note significant differences
South Africa – The Garden Route
The author recounts a trip through South Africa, emphasizing the beauty of the Western Cape’s flora, including wildflowers and the Cape of Good Hope’s scenery. Highlights include a road trip
Kirstenbosch – This is the place!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases over 7,000 plant species, including rare and endangered ones. The writer’s visit featured diverse plant collections, highlighting
Nieuwoudtville, South Africa
This year, I celebrated my 60th birthday by traveling, including a much-anticipated trip to South Africa. With a focus on its diverse plant life, particularly bulbs, I explored Nieuwoudtville, the
Gopher Madness
This is the start of the 5th year I’ve been writing the series “My Life with Plants”. For anyone that knows me or has visited my garden, what they may
Planting the Casita
By late winter of 2003, we were ready to begin planting. Since purchasing the house in 1998, I had been contemplating what to plant. I observed the sun and shadow
Downward March
The post details a garden project on a steep hillside, involving the creation of pathways, retaining walls, and seating areas for better accessibility. The author describes discovering and utilizing materials
Pool Be Gone
By 2000, we had finished most of the renovations inside the house. Initially, one of our main goals was to address the pool area, which had many issues. The most
Seville’s Romantic Real Alcázar
In keeping with the themes of our garden exhibit at this year’s San Diego County Fair and the influence Spanish architecture and gardens had on the 1915 Panama-California exposition, it
Steep Challenge
While we were working on remodeling the house, I was desperate to create a garden. However, there were a few challenges to overcome. First, most of the house is surrounded
Lots of Blocks
A common question we receive about our garden is regarding the origin and builders of the retaining walls. Except for a few of the newer walls, all were constructed by
Creating a Garden
Last month I wrote about finding and buying our current home in Mission Hills. However before we could move, we had to sell each of our houses. The spring of
On the Move
I met Scott Borden in September of 1994. November of that year we visited Maui. In June of 1995 we spent my 40th birthday mountain biking and hiking in the
Raising the Roof
In 1983, the author bought a modest home in Encinitas, expecting to stay briefly. Instead, they renovated, adding a second floor and enhancing the garden while maximizing space. Updates included
Holy Basil
The author reflects on their vegetable garden in Encinitas, detailing its raised beds made from railroad ties and the challenges of growing certain crops. They found success with tomatoes and