Jasmine Nights

I can't think of anything I love more than the smell of Jasmine on the first warm evenings in late spring. It is a reminder of lovely afternoons in my grandmother's garden as well as the promise of warm summer nights yet to come. It is an essential part of any garden I love, the ability to close your eyes and know you are in a garden without ever seeing a flower or tree.

"Doggie" Spots In The Lawn

If you have a dog and you have a lawn there is a good chance you will have brown spots where the dog 'relieves' himself. How to solve the problem? Put a tablespoon of tomato juice in his food everyday and you will not have any spots like the one above, which by-the-way was not from my dog.

Ground Cover for Dry Shade

Viola hederacea or Australian Violets grow in shady areas in both my gardens. They spread easily with runners, however I would not consider then invasive. They have charming little white flowers with purple spots and can do well with much less water than many other shade plants require. In the picture above you can see that the baby tears in the cracks of the path are almost dormant from lack of water and yet the violets are quite content. I wouldn't call them drought tolerant, however they can grow among other plants that will suck up all the water and still thrive.

Maintaining Maidenhair Ferns

I love Maidenhair ferns! I buy one every couple months to keep inside the house. They don't last too long because if they dry out at all, they die, and I am not as constant as I should be when it come to watering the houseplants. I consider the Maidenhairs as pretty as cut flowers and I justify buying them as I would a bouquet for the house, they just make me happy. When they start looking a bit shabby I cut them back and find a spot in the garden where they will thrive, which is not easy in our climate. But there is always a spot somewhere in the shade that doesn't drain well and that is exactly what they like. They can handle wet feet and are a good solution for problem areas that don't dry out in between watering.

Iris Blooms

'Frequent Violet'.


Here are a few of my favorite iris that are blooming right now in our SJC Garden.

'Immortality'


'Spirit Mountain'???


'Beverly Sills'


'Dusky Challenger'

Guess What's For Dinner?

If you guessed stuffed artichokes, you're right! This year I added a couple more plants that I grow in the flower beds because they are so dramatic and lovely all year round. That way we can have them fresh from the garden a number of times during spring and summer!

Early Blooming Asiatic Lilies

I must admit I was a bit surprised to see these Asiatic lilies blooming already this year in my SJC garden. They bloom much later in the season in Laguna.


I never met a bulb I didn't like and these are no exception! They are like packages that come in the mail unexpectedly. You forget all about them and then one day they just show up with their happy blooms. These ones are very carefree and easy. I've planted almost a hundred more lilies this year, after a trip to a garden show. They are mostly Stargazers and Casa Blancas and I can hardly wait for the 'packages' to arrive!

My Favorite Natives

Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'

Romneya coulteri or Matilija Poppy

Oenothera or Evening Primrose
and Aquilegia or Columbine

All of these natives are blooming right now in both of my gardens, much to my delight. They are all easy plants once established, and drought tolerant of course. The colors are spectacular and the local birds and bees love their presence as much as I do.

Look At Me, Look At Me, Look At Me!

This otherwise demure aeonium is springing forth with exuberance as a way to attract pollinators. It will bloom for a couple months and then the main rosette will die away, leaving the numerous 'pups' to carry on in its place.

I Agree With The Cats

Nepeta, also know as catmint, is one of my favorite plants to use in flower beds. It is drought tolerant and a good substitute for lavender with spikes of light purple flowers all summer long. It grows quickly and makes a great filler plant for beds. It is fragrant and yes, cats love it!