Spilled across 37 acres purchased for $40,000 in 1941, Ganna Walska Lotusland in Montecito, CA, remains one of the most whimsical, most wildly fabulous gardens we’ve ever explored. To the tune of: 300+ species of cacti alone, a “theatre garden” populated with antique grotesque sculptures, and a...
There are hardcover, lusciously photographed books that make us want to lounge and daydream. Then there are hardcover, lusciously photographed books that make us want to kick over the coffee table and make something. At our house, The Plant Recipe Book is the latter kind...
“The Polynesian voyages are probably the most epic journeys ever undertaken by man,” says Mike DeMotta, the assistant director of horticulture at the National Tropical Botanical Garden. We're in Kauai, and he says this by way of introducing Ryan and I to the two dozen...
The secret’s out! Last Saturday we, along with our newly fern-ified yard, were delighted to be included in the La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla. For years and years we’ve wanted to take the tour ourselves, which is, per the website, “a...
It's hard to believe a year has passed since we were sipping medium roast and talking foraging in Seattle. Another memorable excursion during our weekend in the Emerald City was our visit to Pike Place Market on Mother’s Day. Fish and flowers — how can...
Clearly, clearly, we’ve got museums on the brain. And that’s okay — where else can you wander around for a day, let yourself off the leash mentally, and entertain all sorts of vivid ideas? Last month we spent an afternoon at the Los Angeles County Museum...
Last weekend Art Alive happened — and to kick things off, Ryan asked if I would be his date to the plant prom. The party (alright, officially known as Bloom Bash) was thrown last Friday to celebrate San Diego Museum of Art’s annual show; in...
It’s back! The show that puts the “culture” in horticulture, Art Alive is taking place this weekend at San Diego Museum of Art. The exhibition will feature 120 inventive, seriously sublime floral interpretations paired with famous works of art. You might remember our recap of last year’s festivities....
Time for Round Two of Tussie-Mussie Tuesday! Inspired by the Victorian language of flowers, we’re fixing up sweet and simple bouquets that you can give to the beloved buds in your life. Our last bouquet was all about romance, ranunculus and Mary J. Blige. Today, though...
Happy equinox, everyone! Here in Southern California, early spring means wildflowers, and lots of them: hillsides dense with blue flax and lupine, and phone-in hotlines updated weekly with the state of the poppies. The excitement is understandable — how many other things feel so untamed...