To immerse myself in the healing garden, I’ve started a new project–reviving a neglected front garden, using repurposed cement “stones” from an old sidewalk to build a rockery and creating a more welcoming entry. I’m also connecting with fellow gardeners around the world as we share six garden elements, including daffodils and rosemary.
Category Archives: Garden Sanctuary
Scented Garden Plants for Mediterranean, Summer-dry Climate Zones
Take a calming moment to envelop yourself in the scented garden. Get recommendations for aromatic plants that do well in summer-dry, Mediterranean climate zones. Cleveland sage and rockroses for example. Learn which aromatic, drought tolerant plants have done well in our Sonoma County, California garden over the years. American garden blogs
A Palette of Spring Colors
It’s a odd dance, doing garden blogs–the season when you have the most to share is exactly when you have the least time to share it. Let me try, TRY, to do a short flit through the spring blossoms, joining in this time with the Six-On-Saturday gardeners from around the world, who post six thingsContinue reading “A Palette of Spring Colors”
Spring Awe–Buds and Bugs
Nature does not stand still and wait for us to catch up. It’s a glorious spring after all the winter rains we finally enjoyed after so many drought years. Verdancy is erupting in the garden and the air is abuzz with activity. There are summer veggies to plant and damselflies to admire. The ladybugs areContinue reading “Spring Awe–Buds and Bugs”
The Solace of the Wildlife Garden
Lately it feels like the garden is taking more care of me than I am of it. The world of humans is so fraught with angst and urgent concerns (which we humans seem apt to self-create) that, again, I find myself in deep appreciation for the respite of the garden and simpler creatures. I’m leaningContinue reading “The Solace of the Wildlife Garden”
The Roses In My Garden — wild, exquisite, and tough as nails
In celebration of Mothers Day Just in time for Mother’s Day, the roses in my garden are starting to bloom. These are not fragile beauties; they are survivor superstars! The Old Roses — Wild, Exotically Perfumed and Robust I enjoy a traditional rose bouquet as much as anyone, but those are usually composed of HybridContinue reading “The Roses In My Garden — wild, exquisite, and tough as nails”
Petals Aplenty — six snapshots of spring from a Sonoma County garden
The petals are popping and the juice of spring is coursing through my veins like so many shots of espresso. The spring garden is a party not to be missed, and just to sit at my computer to post this blog, rather than be out with the surging sap and sunshine, is requiring a strongContinue reading “Petals Aplenty — six snapshots of spring from a Sonoma County garden”
The Sensory Pleasure of Houseplant Foliage
Of the many eventualities I tried to plan for in the garden back when we first began planting 20 years ago, gardening-without-knees wasn’t one of them. Back in late May, my knees decided to take a prolonged sabbatical. After various tests including MRI’s and a recommendation against surgery for now, it appears I will beContinue reading “The Sensory Pleasure of Houseplant Foliage”
Houseplants Have Become My Summer Oasis
The drought and everything else got to me. Something had to give. Gardening in our summer-dry climate of Sonoma County requires adjusting to winters that are usually verdant and soggy with vernal pools, morphing into summers dry enough to burst into flames if you sneeze too hard. It’s like living in two separate ecosystems atContinue reading “Houseplants Have Become My Summer Oasis”
Sun & Sunflowers (and a very dry summer)
I thought I’d start with something cheery. Certain flowers, like daffodils or sunflowers, just brighten the moment — a garden anti-depressant — kissing your face with affectionate optimism and inducing an autonomic smile. I think I’d be going nuts by now if I didn’t have a garden and I wish I had magical powers toContinue reading “Sun & Sunflowers (and a very dry summer)”