GardenBook

 This month Bloom Day takes a road trip to the venerable Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. My own garden hasn't got much going on this month, I have so many renovations in process the early spring view has suffered.How many times can I take a photo of the same Hellebore ?  Here then are Aloes and a few others that caught my cameras eye. Full disclosure-these images were taken yesterday. Aloe 'Creamsicle '  The pergola was still sporting it's winter frost cover. The plant labels were not accessible, and due to my spotty Aloe naming skills I have no ID to share. The A. marlothii inside the covered tunnel had yet to bloom, while the 8 footer in the open garden was showing off . The tag was elusive on this one, but I think it's mighty cute . Aloe microstigma I love the blooms of Aloe striata as they emerge. The spectacular Aloe ferox arborescens I believe. Aloe mutabilis ? Moving towards the end of it's run ...

 I should have done some much-needed cleanup and rose pruning today , but it's been gloomy and rainy and it seems like I've been nowhere but the grocery store and the office for ages. It was time for a winter visit to Berkeley Botanical Garden -maybe some Aloes would be in bloom ?    Unfortunately I was a couple weeks early for most of the Aloes. There was a plethora of safety cones and barricades where paths were washed out , and care had to be taken not to step in mud.  Nevertheless, it was a reasonably pleasant day for January and there was plenty to see.   Unnamed Aloe with one of the many fabulous Cycads in Berkeleys' collection. And speaking of Cycads, sometime last year I decided I was going to collect them -modest sized specimens of course since the prices are palpitation inducing. This is likely justified- I have had a Dioon for at least ten years and it has exactly 4 fronds.  I'd have to win the lottery to get anything resembling ...

  Food---cooking it, eating it, and pairing it with wine consumes a lot of band width here  in the Napa Valley.  In the last several years the trend toward fresh and local food has led to a wellspring of gardens that are located near or on the property of some of our best dining establishments-including the venerable French Laundry.   The French Laundry Culinary Garden is directly across the road from the restaurant -3 acres laid out grid style , it is a no nonsense working organic farm pristeenly maintained.  Nice digs for the egg factory.. a peek inside the greenhouse ..  I was surprised to see so much lawn--and very green at that. This photo was taken in August when most residential lawns were at their water-deprived worst.  A mile or two north is the garden of Mustards Grill , a garden with a much more informal feel . Flowers for the tables and a seasonal farmstand  In the city of Napa, th...

 It's my habit every Thanksgiving to go out with my camera as close to sunrise as I can mange and take some shots of the vineyards in their fall finery. They were a bit 'gone over' this year , but I enjoyed the tradition never the less. I hope you enjoy whatever tradition is yours this holiday!

 Way back in March (you know, when it was Spring !) I posted about my renovation of the sadly neglected northwest corner of my garden. Though the transformation is not complete it looks improved and the plants are starting to fill in.  Here it is in April, after the new plants were installed. Looking pretty sparse... Lobelia tupa is somewhat discernible in the center of the photo next to the soaker hose , and the trellis is the new home for Passiflora loefgrenii caerulea.  And taken last week, the Passiflora has made a statement..I'm keeping an eye on it. Lobelia tupa has achieved knee-high status. A couple moves still to be made here over fall and winter; Sanquisorba officinalis 'Red Thunder'(out of the photo) is too close to the Weigela and was shaded in summer. It will go where the Penstemon 'Raven' lives on the lower right, and the Penstemon will be moved to the left.  This infrastructure issue is unfortunately calling the shots in the bed...