I mentioned Darcy Daniels last week as one of our areas many talented garden designers. Well, lucky us--members of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO)--Darcy held her garden open last week, giving fellow gardening enthusiasts an opportunity to ogle her collection...
sempervivum: Articles from The Editorial Side
A few of my favorite ground covers
I remember nervously sharing my garden with a famous friend, she was generous with the compliments and over the course of her visit took several photos, a few of which ended up in her book, Lawn Gone! One of her comments stuck with me, it was about how I’d paid...
It’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day
It’s one of the best known meme’s for garden bloggers – the 15th of each month is given over to photographing (and sharing) what’s blooming in our gardens. Even a foliage lover like me can be seduced by a few flowers now and then. Flowers are fleeting, but foliage is...
The Hot Bed is Alive
Is it just me, or is everyone surprised beyond pieces that the garden resurrects each year? It's so exciting to see there are actually plants growing out there. I planted several Tetrapanx papyrifer this past fall that came from Ron Wagner before he moved to...
A few good moss imposters
Tell me I'm not alone. Now that it's all moist and mossy out there, I frequently see moss that stops me in my tracks. There are just so many strange-good variations. I'm pretty sure people think I'm nuts, stooped and closely examining a rock or a spot of bark dust in...
Unexpected groundcovers
Groundcovers are... The icing on the cake? The bow on the present? The cherry on the sundae? Whatever cliche fits best, they deserve some special attention. Last week I realized how important groundcovers are to pulling together a garden, and I've been looking for...
Is it Spring Yet?
Here it is, one day past Christmas, and I think it's almost Spring. Apparently, the weather gods have other ideas. Colder temperatures are forecasted this week, but it's a decent today. High overcast and an occasional peek of blue. I managed a quick garden stroll and...
I Need a Thicket
Truth be told, I’m having trouble sticking with the Plan, big P plan. Oh, I’m weeding and shopping and planting, but I seem to be happiest muddling my way through without a blueprint. But see all that grass up there, I can do better. A...
Transplants and Hitchhikers Welcome Here
I’ve been meaning to count plants that made the move with me to Flamingo Park, but trying to do so with camera in hand is always a mistake. I’ve gone on that fool's errand at least two dozen times. Today, I put camera on counter and gathered paper in hand. On my way...