by angela@diggingbliss | Aug 4, 2014 | air plants, botanical garden, coastal, DIG Gardens, mediterranean, nurseries, Santa Cruz, string gardens, succulents
(NOTE: I finally got around to publishing this draft post from late June!) I’d made much overdue plans to visit my friend Lynette in Santa Clara this Sunday and since we both love Santa Cruz, we decided to drive a little bit farther and spend our day there. Arriving around lunch time, we decided to hit Cafe Iveta first. I’d chosen the cafe based on its gluten-free friendliness and 80+ positive Yelp reviews. My turkey sandwich with Havarti and bacon was delish. Yes, I know gluten-free bread looks a little funny, but it tasted great. Fresh, soft and flavorful.
Next, we were off to DIG Gardens Nursery. Lynette had never been to DIG, and I think it’s only my third visit. Nurseries never get old to me, because they’re always, always tweaking things. Since my prior visit, I spotted the book display in another part of the shop, saw a D.I.Y. Bubble Terrarium station that I don’t remember from before. Fun, fun, fun. Nearby shelves hold air plants and empty glass terrariums. Terraria? Pshhh…. I dunno.
I returned home with a couple adorable greeting cards for future use, and an irresistible succulent. Lynette went home with her first air plant! (more…)
by angela@diggingbliss | Jul 23, 2014 | mediterranean, native, perennials, river-friendly landscaping, uc davis arboretum
Check out this fun video primer on buckwheats (Eriogonum) from UC Davis Arboretum Manager Taylor Lewis. He discusses several cool varieties thriving in display gardens at the arboretum and available for purchase at upcoming plant sales. Some are tight little ground covers; others are towering giants. In general, buckwheats prefer well-drained soil and low to moderate water.
Fall is a great time to plant natives and their cultivated relatives, so don’t miss upcoming UCD Arboretum plant sales!
Fall 2014 Plant Sales
PUBLIC SALES, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM
THE NEW FRONT YARD: Prepare your landscape for long-term water conservation with attractive, drought-tolerant, easy-care, region-appropriate plants including a large selection of California natives and Arboretum All-Stars.
Saturday, October 11
9 – 11 AM: Members only
11 AM – 1 PM: Open to the Public
Saturday, October 25
9 AM – 1 PM: Open to the Public
These sales are open to the public during the times specified above. Members save 10% off their purchases. Become a new member at the sales to receive 10% off your purchases AND an additional $10-off coupon! Find out more about becoming a member here.
by angela@diggingbliss | Oct 30, 2013 | cambria, central coast, coastal, gardens by gabriel, hearst castle, mediterranean, native, san luis obispo, san simeon, succulents
I had no expectations for our two-night getaway to the Central Coast beyond touring Hearst Castle, but ended up discovering much horticultural splendor, mooned over ocean sunsets and ate great food. The plants I saw along the way made the experience that much richer for me.
As a gardener and nursery junkie, I’m always on the lookout for cool plants. Sure, WRH built an obscenely fancy estate on top of a hill with a view of the Pacific… but the palms… oaks… succulents… bougainvillea… and fuchsias! To me, they are as much of reason to tour Hearst Castle as the staggeringly ornate architecture.
There is something magical in the quality of light up there. It was sunny and the sky was deep, deep blue, but everything blooming on the ground was in Technicolor. And in the late afternoon, a warm blush descended on the landscape, making it even more dreamlike.
Hearst Castle
Hotel/Motel landscaping on Moonstone Drive in Cambria
Barefootin’!
Ooh, what will this be? A garden gift shop?
And what have we here? I love this place!
Don’t you wish your gas station looked like this?!
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
http://slobg.org/
Turn that car around!
At first I thought this must be a new construction bungalow, but it’s actually a restoration. You can read more about it here, at Plant Propaganda. The house and landscaping are magnificent.
