This blog has moved

Sort of like one of those tiny earthquakes that you're not sure really even happened... we've shifted some of the furniture around in the back room and have officially moved to http://gardenparty.sanctuarygardens.info/ but I don't mind a bit if you didn't notice. Isn't that a hallmark of great design? "Hmmm, something looks more fabulous than usual, but I just can't put my finger on it..."

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Everyone else, sit back and enjoy!

Living Walls are Growing

Last week I attended an event hosted by Armstrong Growers promoting their collaboration with ELT Living Walls to contract grow modular live wall and green roof systems. I had a chance to handle the goods, which I always appreciate, and also had a chance sighting of a fellow designer whose work I admire very much (more on that below).

November Showers Bring May Flowers

Although it runs contrary to our ingrained understanding of the seasons, spring and summer are not really the best time to plant in California. While spring generally marks the beginning of longer days, more light and warmer temperatures (conditions that encourage above-ground plant growth) those warmer temperatures can be extreme in California and the rest of the Southwest.

The Magical Power of Street Trees

Perhaps you've seen me driving in your neighborhood, slowly weaving down the tree-lined block, breezing through stop signs with Magoo-like bravado. If so, you've surely assumed my cellphone distracts me but, actually, it's the trees.

Banished From the Garden (and well worth it) Chocolate Cake

While I have been known to stay in the garden long enough to merit a search party, when I do make my way back to the house it's often to stir up delicious trouble in the kitchen. Friends, for your next garden party, you are welcome to use my personal recipe for Banished From the Garden (And Well Worth It) Chocolate Cake. While it's tempting to say that this was a recipe carried close to the bosom of generations of pleasure-seeking, garden-loving matrons, I think the first ingredient would give me away...

Banished From the Garden (But Well Worth It) Chocolate Cake

Spring Dreaming

Along with my Spring Cleaning inevitably comes Spring Dreaming. It's the time of year I'm superhumanly attuned to any conversation including the words "renovation", "designer", "project" or "groundbreaking." It's the point in the season when whatever potted arrangement I've put together to brighten up the front door in late Winter can no longer draw my eye from the persistently dissatisfying and dysfunctional parts of the landscape around my home.

5 Reasons I Choose Succulents

1. What other plants pair both seafoam green and pink in one tidy, charming package?

2. $200 spent on the water bill vs $200 spent at my favorite local boutique...need I say more?

3. I'm a pushover for rosettes of all sizes.

4. I like to make my neighbors look twice.

5. Impatiens only look good in tropical gardens and (hard truth) tropical gardens rarely look great outside of the tropics. [Note: Prevalence of palms aside, California is really not a tropical region.]