California

Spring discoveries: Two new natives

Orange you glad to find two new CA natives in the garden? Yes, I am! A new bird and a new…

9 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

Growing Iris, Planting bulbs and sowing wildflowers

Fall is time for dividing iris, planting and sowing wildflower seeds... Bearded Iris Growing Tips Spring-flowering bulbs thrive in full…

9 years ago

‘First week of June’ gardening day

Just came in from the garden,...perfect day to be out there, especially with my camera. There was really nice, even…

9 years ago

In praise of Intermountain Nursery

Celebrating a fine nursery... Have you been here?  I hope so! We are very fortunate to have a nursery nearby…

10 years ago

September: Time to plan native CA meadow

Now, is the time to plan Your meadow can be large or small ...or even in a container, and the…

10 years ago

Heat-proof your Sierra foothill garden

In our third year of drought in the Sierra foothills, we search for ways to allow our gardens to survive.  …

10 years ago

The Lavender Experiment

What happens if you don't trim lavender? You all may know I like garden experiments. For the last two years…

11 years ago

House of many colors

In 2000, we moved from the city to the country of California in the Sierra foothills near Bass Lake.  For…

11 years ago

Happy is the meadow planter

First weeks of Fall in the Sierra foothills The season has changed in the foothills around Oakhurst. The fierce heat…

11 years ago

Manzanitas are not filled with fire popping sap

The Highly Valued Manzanita Manzanitas are typical and beautiful Chaparral plants in the Sierra foothills.  They, and the chaparral as…

11 years ago

Melding gardens and gravel in the Sierra foothills

Many of us here in the California Sierra foothills have gravel driveways, paths and roads.  This can be a help…

13 years ago

Choosing home builder in the Sierra Foothills

We had a dream to move out of Southern California to paradise on seven acres in the Sierra foothills. Here is…

13 years ago

How we made our escape from the city and changed our lives

Our adventure We had a dream to move out of Southern California away from the congestion and stress and switch…

13 years ago

Thinking plant combinations in California foothill garden

Have you ever noticed a striking color combination when planting flowers together by chance?  You suddenly see that the hot…

13 years ago

Outwitting gophers in the Sierra foothill garden

Gophers and other living garden pests can drain the enthusiasm from the hardiest gardener in the California Sierra foothills.  To…

13 years ago

A mild Sierra foothill winter-February First Views

While going out to photograph my 'first views' of February in my California  mountain garden, I already know that my…

13 years ago