Painterly Peonies
Impressions of an exotic bouquet….
Daffodils of Spring
It is that beautiful time of year again when the daffodils spring from the ground in honor of the season to come. The garden is starting its symphony of color and our pink charm daffodils have begun to naturalize. They add a touch of seasonal splendor before Easter arrives.
Highlights of the Early Summer Garden
Some of my favorite floral varieties this season have been grown from seed along with our vegetable garden which is contained in elevated beds.
Summer Vegetable Garden
This summer we have been focused on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden instead of flowers.
Flower Spotlight: Ranunculus
Ranunculus flowers, also called Persian Buttercups, provide stunning blooms in early spring when the weather is still chilly and moist. Boasting a mass of chiffon-like petals, the multicolored flowers are always a favorite for spring weddings and floral arrangements.
Fall Gardens at Filoli
Fall is a beautiful time of year to tour Filoli in Woodside, CA as the gardens are still in bloom and the trees are beginning to change color. We visited there recently since two of my paintings are featured in the current art show, "Fall Landscapes of the Golden State". We were dazzled by the beauty of the estate and still spectacular gardens in October.
Hot Summer Flowers...
The summer high temperatures are often a challenge for gardeners but with a little bit of planning and the right choice of plants, a summer garden can be filled with flowery fun.
Spring in the Garden...
Today is officially the first day of Spring and the garden is clearly celebrating with beautiful blooms and blossoms. Our magnolia tree is covered in pink and white velvety flowers which glisten on these rainy days.
Garden Flowers for Fall
As you can see, our first harvest of pomegranates is off of the tree- a sure sign that fall is here to stay! Here in California, we have a late autumn so our trees are just beginning to change color from the cooler nights and beautiful temperate days.
Dreaming of Dahlias...
It is almost dahlia season and the garden is filled with budding plants. Dahlias are my favorite late summer flower and every year I add a new variety or two just to watch them bloom and enjoy their beauty in the hot August sun.
Four Favorite Summer Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas provide spectacular summer blooms and now there are many new and unique varieties available. Here are just a few of my favorites which have been added to the garden over the last year or two.
Early Summer Roses
Roses add a touch of classic beauty to the early summer garden with their lovely colors and sweet scent. In May ours begin blooming as the air becomes warmer and the sunlight lasts into evening. Shades of orange, red and yellow fill the patio garden and welcome the beginning of a new season.
On My Bookshelf: Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden + Floret Daffodils in Bloom
Oh what a busy spring it has been so far... In addition to seeding and weeding I've also been reading! The new book by Erin Benzakein of Floret Farm is the latest to capture my attention and I am learning so much from its pages.
A Twist of Lemon...
Citrus season has been beautiful this year. Even with heavy rains the lemons are fresh and robust. These Meyers were just picked and are soon to be brought inside and displayed on our kitchen table.
A Summer Garden Floral Arrangement
In late summer our garden is filled with robust blooms of pink dinner plate dahlias and carpet roses. They seem to thrive on even the hottest of days and are a joy to arrange and bring indoors. Fresh flowers always add such life to a room!
How to Make a Hydrangea Wreath
The midsummer heat is starting to fade the bright pinks and lavender hues of our hydrangeas to soft mauves and greens. This is when I usually cut the remaining blooms to bring inside to use for decorating.
The Changing Color of Hydrangeas
Hydrangea season is here at last and our side garden is now filled with glorious pink, purple and lavender blooms. Every year the plants get larger and now they are almost as tall as I am.
Spring Garden Floral Arrangements
Creating a spring garden floral arrangement using a mixture of homegrown and market flowers is a simple, inexpensive way to bring the spirit of the season into your home.
Sunshine on a Rainy Day: Daffodils and Ranunculus
Daffodils and ranunculus are in beautiful bloom now in the garden. Their soft lemon yellow and warm orange colors remind me of sunshine peeking through the clouds on a rainy spring day.
Harvesting the Winter Garden
Spring is just around the corner now which means I have been harvesting the winter garden and preserving our citrus fruit to use throughout the summer.
Pomegranate Harvest
It's that beautiful time of year again when the pomegranates begin to ripen and are ready for harvest. My husband brings out the tall ladder and climbs up to get them while I prepare the patio where they will sit in the sun a bit longer turning red before we distribute them to family and friends.
The Joy of Painting Botanicals…
Learn about my creative process…