Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

If you had told me when I was a kid that I would be growing eggplant in my garden by my own free will, I likely would have walked away from you in utter disgust. Clearly, you wouldn’t have known me well.

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Lady of Shalott (Rosa ‘Lady of Shalott’ or Rosa ‘Ausnyson’)

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.

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Citrus (Citrus Genus)

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???).

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Daffodils (Narcissus 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.

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Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

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.

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California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)

20180331_182530One 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?

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Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)

20180413_180142ijklmGarden Sage is an all-in-one plant offering both looks as well as functionality.  Spires of tubular, lavender colored flowers sit above a sea of grey-green and fragrant leaves in masse each spring.  And of course, those leaves become a tasty addition for your kitchen spice rack.

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“Ambridge Rose” (Rosa ‘Ambridge Rose’)

20180501_155103This is easily the most photographed plant in my garden.  With a generous supply of the most luscious, peachy-pink blooms in a classic, cabbage rose form, it is easy to understand why.

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Scabiosa (“Pincushion Flower”)

I’m a sucker for old-fashioned looking flowers like the kind you see in a typical English Cottage Garden.  However, England’s climate isn’t all that similar to mine.  In fact, not at all.

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