A Garden on a Mountain on an Island in the Sea
On June 1, 1997, the Orto dei Semplici Elbano opened its gates to the public. The garden is meant to be a living library of plants of Italy's Tuscan A…
Plants: Foliage plants, grasses, and succulents
Driving Miss Worn, and More
Miss Isabella Worn (1869-1950), known as Bella, rode on public transportation from Marin County to her office in San Francisco, as she did not drive a…
California Plant Families: West of the Sierran Crest and Deserts
Glenn Keator, a knowledgeable advocate for the use of California natives in gardens, has written several books of value on the subject. In his latest,…
The Global Migrations Of Ornamental Plants: How the World Got into Your Garden
If you could have only one gardening book (perish the thought!), hands down it would be Hugh Johnson’s classic Principles Of Gardening. In it, among…
Black Plants
Paul Bonine’s first book, Black Plants: 75 striking choices for the garden, does not claim to be encyclopedic, but it is a fun read. More…
A Wind-blown Garden on a Sea Ranch Bluff
The power of the incessant winds, which lash the bluff and everything that grows on it, was a lesson learned in designing a garden at The Sea Ranch, o…
Cyclamen for Summer and Autumn
My appreciation for cyclamen begins anew each year in late summer when the first flowers appear in gardens that usually look tired, dry, and in need o…
Sustainability in the Garden
As horticulturists, landscape professionals, gardeners, and plant lovers, there are many opportunities for us to take the lead in creating a sustainab…
Van Atta Design Studios: Sustainable Design on a Small Site
Our intention for the landscape around our new studio building was to make the most of our small site. The opportunities for incorporating clever and …