The Purple Garden
I have always loved purple. My cousin Bobbi told me that when I was little, she would ask me repeatedly for my favorite color thinking that it would change because purple isn’t a typical choice for a toddler. So of course, purple is the base color of my garden.
Planting & Sowing Chilly Weather Flowers
Whether planting for a California winter or early spring in colder zones, these are my favorite flowers that do well in chilly weather. In my zone, 9b, it typically freezes to about mid 20s Fahrenheit and that’s no problem for these flowers. While these flowers will not bloom while temperatures are dipping below freezing, their foliage can withstand frosty weather. So for those of you in colder zones, you don’t have to wait until after the last frost date to plant them. And for those of you in zones 9-10, fall is the time to plant.
Structural Support for Dahlias
My biggest challenge with dahlias: keeping them upright and looking natural. I have tried various methods: tomato cages, teepees, metal supports and now finally we’ve mastered bamboo supports which is the best so far.
Sowing Zinnias
There are so many beautiful reasons to love zinnias! But we especially love them for all the butterflies and other pollinators that they bring to the garden. Whether you place them in the garden as transplants or from seed, zinnias are so easy to grow. They can really take the scorching summer heat in full sun.
Planting Gladiolus Along a Picket Fence
This past year I’ve worked on perfecting my gladiolus game. I planted along a little picket fence. When digging in, I add a layer of Kellogg’s organic soil, some bulb fertilizer, then a little soil over that (so that bulb doesn’t touch the fertilizer), a bamboo skewer to mark location, throw in the corm and cover with more soil.
Growing Bulbs, Rhizomes & Corms in Containers
I love container gardening, especially with a variety of bulbs, rhizomes and corms. It’s so easy and they come back beautifully year after year. Plus, many of them make a lot of babies that you can give away to friends and family.
Ask Me, Share with Me
I often get questions in comments on this site and in Instagram posts asking about flowers, IDs, for advice, etc. On Instagram, I cannot respond with images or clickable links. Plus, sometimes my online friends want to share more of their gardens and yards with me.
California Garden Tours & Events Spring 2020
I can’t get enough of garden tours! They are so inspirational and provide so many ideas for what I can do in my yard. Plus, many are staffed by experts who can answer questions and provide guidance.
Spring Blooming Bulb Lasagna
It’s time to get started on planting my spring bulbs which I usually plant as a single variety. This year, I’m trying out bulb lasagna with a variety of bulbs in one container. It’s easy! Just layer the bulbs according to recommended depth. This can be done directly in your garden or in a container.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus is a summer blooming corm and best planted in early spring. In my zone (9b), corms are typically planted starting in February. Though the corms start to sprout in my yard in December/January. In colder zones, wait until your soil is workable in early spring. Your gladiolus will bloom in about 60 days or so after planting.