I’m generally not a huge fan of yellow flowers, especially the very bright, lemon-yellow kind. However, the petit blossoms of Golden Current have become a much anticipated exception to this each spring.
Continue reading Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
To say that I like roses would be a bit of an understatement. There are over 30 different varieties of roses currently growing in our garden, and we are always on the lookout for more. I see nothing wrong with this.
Continue reading Lady of Shalott (Rosa ‘Lady of Shalott’ or Rosa ‘Ausnyson’)
If a recipe calls for 1-2 cloves of garlic, I will automatically add three or four (or five, maybe 6). Because garlic. Garlic chives provide another way to enjoy that awesome garlic flavor with a plant that also offers beauty along with function.
Continue reading Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
If you live in California, especially in any of the numerous valleys, chances are good you have a citrus tree. If you don’t, probably a neighbor does. If you are Greek, you for sure do (and if you don’t, what the heck???).
Continue reading Citrus (Citrus Genus)
Since moving into our home in 2007, we have systematically removed nearly every tree, plant, and lawn that was originally here. Our daffodils are one of the few surviving remnants planted at some point by one of the many prior owners of our home.
Continue reading Daffodils (Narcissus Genus)
I have avoided doing any posts dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and all the other turmoil happening these days (or as we like to say in California speak “all this s&%t going on”). This story will be no different… kind of.
Continue reading Homestead Sweet Homestead (Well… Sort of)
Let’s face it, plants that bloom in spring and summer get the lion’s share of attention in nursery’s and gardens. Soooo… what’s happening in your garden in the fall?
Continue reading “Everett’s Choice” California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum var. latifolium)
I have a lot of plants in my garden that are “bee magnets”, but few will be carpeted in the buzzy little critters like my African Blue Basil. And then there’s pesto!
Continue reading African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)
The rise in popularity of and interest in growing heirloom fruits and veggies has extended to the herb garden. However, there are some that remain well-kept secrets that really shouldn’t be.
Continue reading Greek Sage (Salvia fruticosa)
There is a point each year where my garden looks a little like Monet’s famous garden, and I am clearly quite okay with that! Each spring I am graced with a spectacular and long lasting display of some of the most beautiful and diverse blooms I have. Continue reading Bearded Iris (Iris x germanica)
You cannot have a true Greek village salad without cucumber, nor can you have true Greek tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt sauce). So can you be a true Greek gardener and not grow cucumber? I think not.
Continue reading Cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linnaeus)
For whatever reason, the first appearance of asparagus in my garden seems almost magical. One day it’s just empty dirt, the next day baby spears of deliciousness have erupted through the surface.
Continue reading Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
One of the characteristic seasonings of many Greek dishes is oregano. Not just any oregano, mind you, but one of the richly flavored varieties that grow wild in the rugged mountainous areas of Greece.
Continue reading Cretan Oregano (Oreganum onites)
Yes, these cherries are sour. No, you don’t want to eat them fresh. Yes, you still want to grow them in your garden.
Continue reading Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus)
Known also as Granny’s Bonnet (because your granny still wears one?), Columbines are a diverse group of perennial flowers that are sought after due to their unique flower shape and the ability to have multi-colored blooms.
Continue reading Columbine Flower (Aquilegia spp.)
One of the things missing from so many modern cultivars of plants is the one thing we keep sticking our noses into them for: fragrance. Yes, looks are good, but why not have both?
Continue reading California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)
No self-respecting Greek will return home from Greece without a large stash of dried Greek Oregano in their luggage. Try explaining that one to a customs officer.
Continue reading Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum)
Any plant that can multitask is a plant I want in my garden. Sweet Fennel lives up to this expectation very well as most of the plant is edible, as well as attractive. Oh yeah, pollinators like bees and butterflies love it, too!
Continue reading Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Usually when a plant has the word “weed” as part of it’s name, it doesn’t immediately attract itself to the typical gardener as a good candidate for their landscape. But this is one of those that should be given a second look.
Continue reading Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)
Imagine a carpet of the most intensely blue flowers polka-dotting a mat of deep green foliage and what you’re really seeing is Lithodora. This lovely ground cover plant brings in pollinators throughout much of the year, too.
Continue reading Lithodora diffusa
Mostly Greek 