The Educational Journey of a Plantsman: John Whittlesey
John Whittlesey, of Oroville, California, is an exceptional plantsman. A naturalist in his youth, he founded a specialty mail-order nursery (Canyon C…
Seasons: Spring
Striving for Diversity: The Trumpet Trees
Few spring-blooming trees are more spectacular than the trumpet trees. In March and April, they enliven Southern California neighborhoods with a short…
The Barrett Garden: A Case Study in Designing with Conifers
Cassandra and Bryan Barrett have operated a landscape design and installation business out of their home not far from Eugene, Oregon for more than fif…
West Coast Country Boy
Elvin Bishop may be rooted in the blues, but he is also deeply and happily rooted in his vibrant West Coast garden, where he grows countless fruits, v…
Garden Metaphor
“Your garden, it’s so . . . colorful and exuberant, like it’s on steroids. Then look at Dad’s: it’s so different.” My son’s recent comme…
Chilean Adventure: Excerpts from a Travel Diary
Kathy Musial kept a diary of her travels through Chile, in preparation for the Pacific Horticulture tour in October 2011. Her diary records her observ…
Meadows
Imagine a landscape ablaze with wildflowers, graced by swaying grasses, and filled with butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. Who wouldn’t wan…
Aeonium in Habitat and Cultivation
I’ve had numerous sorts of Aeonium in my garden for many years; most were gifts from fellow gardeners that arrived without pedigree or identification; some…
The Kobrinsky Garden Experience: A Construction Perspective
A fire pit is the nucleus of the Kobrinsky garden, visible from most windows in their home and the celebrated hub of activity for both human and hummi…