Get your Sputnik on here. Pronounced: Miss-SHOW-ee-a. Hah, I’ve been saying it wrong all this time. It pays to do a little research–which in fairness, I do. Constantly. But with a catalog of some 34,000 plant and growing, it hard to keep an eye on everything. Of course, we are now getting terrific help from Grace of Gardening with Grace, and Evan Bean of The Practical Geek. These kids know their stuff, and plant lust is the better for it.
I love a challenge, especially when combined with bargain hunting. Last week, gardening pal Alan posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew a good source for metalwork to use in the garden. Say no more.
Do you ever play that game? I hope so, that I’m not just some nutty outlier. I’m going to guess you do, at least once in a while. Though I stand ready and willing to be corrected.
Sometimes to make the game more manageable, I try narrowing to just one genus. That doesn’t really work either, but it’s fun to try, like imagining what to do with a winning lottery ticket. Look out neighbors: your yards are getting resprayed.
In my continuing saga, Stranger in a Strange land (kudos to Denise Maher for the pithy observation,) I’m trying to sort out how to think about Sunnylands–apparently a place of world-wide fame. I’m sure I missed the royal treatment generally reserved for visiting dignitaries, but still, in strolling the gardens–impressive though they be–I came away confused.
We’re four days back from spending a long weekend in Palm Springs, and I’ve yet to catch up with myself. My family lured me out of town by giving me the trip as a birthday present. Smart. I’ve a wee tendency to imagine catastrophe and thus inclined to stay close to “home base.” Wouldn’t it be ironic if I was sitting here feeling all snug in my house, and a Fed Ex Plane known for skirting our eaves every evening seriously undershot the airport?
We’re taking a rare weekend away from real life–in Palm Springs, Cali-for-nia. It’s hot, it’s bright, and I’ve seen some fabulous desert plants. Maybe next week, when I’m not busy doing nothing, I can tell you more about it.
Plants surprise me every time. I know they grow and all, but holy moly, the lengths to which they go. When we removed our 12′ x 40′ section of mass planted juniper, I didn’t have an exact plan. Except for the little lower bed which spoke to me right away: Sedum Corner. And I am happy to report that in just its second season, it’s fabulous. (more…)
I cannot get over the thrill of plants emerging in spring, tender vibrant leaves bursting forth from earth. And it happens every year. How is nature so smart? Also every year, I’m taken by surprise when I swoon over flowers. I claim I garden primarily for foliage. But you know what? It’s a damn lie.
Oh boy, talk about a good thing, and perchance too much of it? The jury is out. But if year one is any indication, Flamingo Park, we may have a problem.
Don’t you love this time of year, that is if you’re not still buried in snow. I’m so sorry for those yet battling dastardly weather. We had a mild winter in the Pacific Northwest, and that means all manner of things are bursting from the earth.