A Garden of Exceptional Palms
The Lakeside Palmetum is beginning to grow into prominence three decades after its founding on the shores of Lake Merritt. The Lakeside Palmetum’s botanical collection…
Regions: Northern California
Nor. Cal
Growing Restios in California
Gardeners find the textures, architecture, and flowering tassels of South African restios—plants in the family Restionaceae—appealing. Swaying, unbranched species move like kinetic sculptures in the…
Secrets of the Oak Woodlands
As a Californian, I feel a great sense of PLACE when I think about “oak woodlands.” These iconic landscapes are integral to this place we…
Green is the Color of Nature
The entire West Coast is experiencing longer, warmer dry seasons, with significantly less precipitation during the rainy season. The West is officially in a drought…
A Plantsman’s Favorite Dwarf Conifers
Most dwarf conifers available in nurseries are from eight classic conifer groups. And as it turns out, the two that may be the least familiar…
The Curious Plantsman Looks at Dwarf Conifers
For many gardeners, the sight of a stately, mature conifer is awe-inspiring. Some of us are lucky to have one in our gardens, but their…
Facebook Plants a Garden
Some of today’s most modern and profitable companies recognize the importance of integrating the landscape into the work environment. The new Facebook building designed by…
Restio Resource Guide
California horticulturist Martin Grantham and Ginny Hunt, owner of Seedhunt.com, have conducted extensive growing trials and tested a variety of restios in California gardens. The…
Books for Gardeners
The annual choosing of garden books to carry me through the winter comes with such promise of pleasure. As girls, my sisters and I would…