Recycled Water-Wise Beach Garden

In my search for drought tolerant gardens ideas, I stumbled upon this beautiful garden on a recent trip to Monterey. The use of found or recycled items adds an unexpected element. What better to edge the beds than abalone shells and bottles?

The array of plants include Echium candicans - Pride of Madeira, Buxus, Pelargonium- Geranim, Stretlizia- Bird of Paradise, Lavendula and Rosmarinus.

UC Davis Arboretum

The UC Davis Arboretum is a fabulous place to visit for garden inspiration. I went there looking for full sun, low growing evergreen ideas and stumbled upon the white flower garden. Photos include Brugmansia, Iris, Rosa, Lamium and Zantedeschia

Many of the plants are labeled, and it is helpful to see them blooming and fully grown. I greatly admire the design restraint of the one color garden. The white garden is quite serene and captivating. After seeing it, I am inspired to design a purple and white garden for my front yard.

California Native Blooming Trees

With a mature height of 15 feet, the Western Redbud (Crrcis occidentalis) is a perfectly sized back yard tree. A spring blooming California native plant that attracts native bees, butterflies and birds to your garden. 

I inherited this beautiful tree when I moved to my new house. It was a little neglected, but with pruning and fertilizer

It is looking beautiful this spring.

Realtor Art Day

The classy and fabulous Realtors  of Lyon in Davis had an enjoyable evening eating, drinking, talking, laughing and making art.

These small, mixed media shrine boxes were created and are ready to be displayed and admired.

Magniolia

Magnolia trees are in full bloom. Both the Lilly Magnolia and Star Magnolia are quite spectacular. 

Succulent Garden

Garden and Glass Art

I thought I should share photos of my visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass 

In Seattle. Simplicity and mass planting allows the art take on a life of it's own.

Dale Chihuly said that he wanted his work to appear like it came from

 nature. Which is what I truly love about his art.