Category Archives: Horticulture

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Speaking Engagement: Permeable Hardscaping Lecture & Workshop

Posted on April 23, 2015

Another speaking engagement! On Saturday, May 16, I will be speaking once again on a topic related to coping with the historic drought: Permeable Hardscaping. My talk is being hosted by Garden for the Environment, the organic demonstration garden on 7th and … Continue reading →

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What’s in a Design: Drought Tolerance

Posted on January 11, 2015

One thing I hear all the time – perhaps more than anything else in design requests – is drought tolerance. Besides doing my own designs and installations, I field the initial design requests for the design team at Flora Grubb … Continue reading →

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Speaking Engagement: “Life After Lawn” Sustainable Lawn Replacement Workshop

Posted on October 21, 2014

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Well, I’m at it again! This Saturday, I’ll be speaking for TWO HOURS at a workshop on sustainable gardening with a focus on replacing lawns! My talk is being hosted by Garden for the Environment, the organic demonstration garden on 7th … Continue reading →

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A Fabulous Cross-Generic Hybrid

Posted on September 14, 2014

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Last week we had an amusing episode relating to a particularly interesting plant down the street from me. My friend/compadre/mentor Charmain Giuliani, who teaches Plant ID (among other subjects) in the Environmental Horticulture department at my Alma Mater, CCSF, wanted to get a … Continue reading →

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Pat, I’m Gonna Take a P (Coping with Dog Urine)

Posted on December 22, 2013

This gallery contains 37 photos.

I’m a fan of Wheel of Fortune. I’ve been watching it since I was a kid, back when it first started as a morning program, and the contestants had to “buy” prizes with their winnings instead of getting cash. Love … Continue reading →

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Philodendron Love

Posted on March 26, 2013

Recently I came across the video below and just had to share it. The not-so-subtle sexiness is really quite amusing, not to mention it’s just fascinating to see what’s done to pollinate them outside of their native habitat. I took … Continue reading →

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Prepping for a Meadow on Alcatraz

Posted on January 2, 2013

This gallery contains 12 photos.

What a GORGEOUS day it was today! Here we are a couple of days into the new year, and it was clear and sunny. A perfect day for gardening on Alcatraz! It was cold, though. Very cold (well, not by … Continue reading →

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What’s Wrong with My Aeonium?

Posted on August 26, 2012

This gallery contains 9 photos.

This time of year I hear that question a lot, from garden clients and from customers at Flora Grubb Gardens. Aeoniums are these beautiful rosette-forming, succulent, small shrubs and perennials. Though often called “Hens and Chicks” like the other succulent … Continue reading →

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The Great Myth of Drainage Rocks

Posted on August 24, 2012

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Working in a nursery, I obviously encounter people needing guidance on how to pot a plant or plants into their lovely new containers. It’s a basic task to any of us who have done it, but I regularly run into … Continue reading →

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We’re Being Invaded!

Posted on August 10, 2012

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Around these parts you hear a lot about invasive species and the “Nativism” movement (eradicating introduced species of plants and replacing them with California native species.) This sort of thing is currently being done around the region with Australian eucalyptus … Continue reading →

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