Plant Profiles

Mule’s ear and Farewell to Spring

Roadside treasures worth  stopping for In the first week of July in the Sierra foothills of California, you believe that…

6 years ago

Iridescent Iris in Sierra foothill garden

Iris time! Iris are a Sierra foothill gardener's best friend in Spring because of the easy care and reliable beauty.…

7 years ago

Deer-resistant low growers for the Sierra foothills

27 favorite 'ground covers' Growing plants that 'cover the ground' means you have something to plant in the front of a…

8 years ago

Succulents in the Sierra foothill garden

9 Reasons we love succulents here! Why do we love these fun and fleshy little rosettes called succulents? Is it…

8 years ago

Discover Hummingbird Mint

A plant I'd love to see in local nurseries... Considering their long-lasting vibrant blooms, hardiness and resistance to drought, deer, extreme temps,…

8 years ago

For the love of Iris

A gardener's April day trip On a recent visit to Coarsegold, California, I stopped by the Hillside Iris Farm of…

9 years ago

Penstemons, perfect foothill flower

Beautiful Beard Tongue As I stroll through the garden, my attention is drawn to how well adapted Beard Tongue or Penstemons are…

9 years ago

Intermountain Nursery’s Harvest & Peace Festival 2015

Objective: Fall planting Ca Natives,...and to have fun! Each October, on my birthday weekend, a favorite nursery plans it's annual…

9 years ago

Why hate the beautiful Bull pine?

Myths and facts about the Sierra Foothills Bull pine From the time we moved into the mountains, I heard from…

11 years ago

Planting Dudleya in brick

Canyon Live-forever or Rock Lettuce, Dudleya cymosa, is a great California native for containers.  This container is a brick found…

11 years ago

An ideal plant list for new Sierra foothill garden

Drought tolerant and colorful plants for any garden... Sometimes you find an ideal list of plants suitable for your area…

12 years ago

Violas over daffodils

Violas and pansies are perfect daffodil partners Last year, I planted violas over the mini daffodils in patio pots and…

12 years ago

Fire and manzanita myths

It is a commonly heard in casual remarks on gardening topics and maintaining a landscape in the Sierra Foothills that…

12 years ago

Bringing home ‘rescued’ plants

How to choose end-of-season sale plants Every year, while visiting my favorite nurseries, I prowl the sale tables in late…

12 years ago

Spicy mints in the foothill garden

Spicy mints? “Much Virtue in Herbs, little in Men.” - Benjamin Franklin The rich, spiciness of these plants makes them…

12 years ago

What to plant under Native Oaks and Pines?

or ...Why I remember a Sunset Magazine article from 1999. A few months before we bought our place here in…

12 years ago

Weed and more native plants will come

The natural meadow in the second year By that, I mean, this is the second year that I have weeded…

13 years ago

Drat! Pokeweed! No, Chokecherry? Hope so!

What I thought might be buckeye or elderberry, turns out to be pokeweed! Darn!  My sister helped my identify this…

13 years ago