With their vivid torch-like blooms and sculptural forms, aloes are jewels of the winter garden in Southern California. Though most of the 300-400 species are indigenous to Africa and Madagascar, and if protected from frost, they thrive in our climate with minimal water or care. In their form, aloes range from clustering — with rosettes...Read More

With much of the country experiencing record-breaking cold, I thought it time to share some of the photos I took during a fall visit to Anglesey Abbey, a  National Trust property in the UK that is renown for its Winter Garden.  Built on the site of a 12th century priory, Anglesey Abbey features 98 acres...Read More

Are you longing for a garden that hums with life? My garden reading this winter has been highlighted by California Bees & Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists.  Drawing from years of research at the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab, the book outlines how to transform an urban or suburban garden into a bee-friendly...Read More

Oh winter holidays!  This is the time of year when my design work pauses long enough for me to reflect on larger environmental forces and artistic directions, and how best to refine my practice in light of them. A recent article in Garden Design spurred my thinking along this vein and reminded me of a...Read More

As a supplement to a new post I wrote for Houzz on espaliers, I would like to share a few local (Southern California) resources for these space-saving beauties — all ready for your Christmas list. Bountiful Gardens is a hidden gem in Lakeview Terrace. Now open to the public after years of selling exclusively to...Read More