Favorite Shops & Nurseries

Gift ideas for your mama

by Rebecca Sweet 1 May 2012

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I’ve been giving a lot of thought about what to give my own mother.  My mom is an incredible gardener but can be pretty picky, so finding the perfect gift is always a bit challenging. Which means I’m always on the look out for something a little out of the [...]

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Knock-out Kniphofias

by Rebecca Sweet 27 April 2012

Kniphopfias (aka: Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily) are one of my very favorite flowers to add vertical interest to the garden.  Seeing their snake-like stalks rise from a clump of lush leaf blades is always a joy to behold as they stretch their long necks what seems like several inches a day. I don’t [...]

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Easter & Annuals go hand in hand

by Rebecca Sweet 5 April 2012

 I’ll admit it – I haven’t included annuals in a design in a long, long time. Maybe even never. I’m not talking about the drool-inducing annuals over at Annie’s Annuals.  I’m talking about the tried and true (some might say ‘boring’) ones that have been used over and over and over again. Now, it’s not [...]

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The Art of Plants at the Spring Trials

by Rebecca Sweet 2 April 2012

Last week I spent a few days with Jeanette Sinclair (of Woodside Images) in Southern California’s charming little town of Santa Paula, visiting Ball Horticulture’s Spring Trials to see what new treasures they had to offer the plant world. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Spring Trials, Jeanette compares it to New York’s Fashion [...]

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Flowers in February? Absolutely!

by Rebecca Sweet 15 February 2012

While visiting the garden of one of my favorite clients yesterday I was really pleased with how it looked in the middle of February.  When designing, one of my priorities is to create a garden that looks good throughout the year.  Luckily, living in Northern California’s zone 9, this is a very attainable goal.  However, [...]

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Succulent heaven at Sherman Gardens

by Rebecca Sweet 6 February 2012

I can look at succulents all day long.  I never grow tired of their colors, shapes and forms and the infinite number of ways that creative gardeners use them in their gardens. A few months ago, while rushing to get to the airport, my friend insisted we stop at Corona del Mar’s Sherman Library and Gardens, [...]

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My garden’s new birdhouse

by Rebecca Sweet 1 February 2012

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was given to me by my husband Tom – this handmade birdhouse from L’Atelier Vert. My garden wouldn’t be complete without all the birds that visit and raise their babies here (see here, and here, and here!)  so I’m hopeful one will find a new home this spring.     [...]

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The Allied Box Factory in San Francisco

by Rebecca Sweet 22 October 2011

A few weeks ago I paid a visit to Baylor Chapman, at her gorgeous floral studio Lila B. Design.  While I’ve written about her shop before (you can read it here), this time I’m writing about the building across the street.  Yep, it’s the giant green one which you can see out of her storefront [...]

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Flora’s colorful containers

by Rebecca Sweet 11 October 2011

A few weeks ago I spent an afternoon at Flora Grubb Gardens as I needed a little inspiration for some upcoming container projects.  Flora never lets me down!  It was a beautiful fall day when the sun’s gentle rays allow everything to glow just a little bit brighter. For those of you not familiar with this [...]

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