The Layered Garden – Book Giveaway

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for The Layered Garden – Book Giveaway

You know when you see a book and you just know it’s gonna be good?  Well, that’s how I felt about The Layered Garden, by David L. Culp, and photographed by the talented Rob Cardillo.  And I knew I held a gem in my hands when I read the glowing forward, written by Lauren Springer [...]

Read the full article →

A Colorful Garden in Tucson

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for A Colorful Garden in Tucson

While visiting Arizona last month I couldn’t wait to tour a few private gardens to see first-hand how these determined and creative gardeners deal with All. That. Heat. Driving through Tucson’s wide suburban streets, where the homes and landscaping tend to blend together, my heart skipped a beat when I noticed this garden’s ‘fence’. Not your [...]

Read the full article →

Top 10 Favorite Orange Plants

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Top 10 Favorite Orange Plants

It’s that time of year again when our homes and gardens are decked out in orange and black, and mine is no exception.  And what better occasion than Halloween to talk about one of my favorite colors in the garden – orange!  Last year I wrote about my favorite black plants, so it’s only fitting [...]

Read the full article →

Garden Designers Roundtable- Danger is my middle name

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Garden Designers Roundtable- Danger is my middle name

There’s something alluring about beautiful plants that have a bite to them. In fact, I just attended a fascinating talk by desert-designer-extraordinaire Scott Calhoun, who believes our fascination with plants that make us bleed is akin to the Stockholm Syndrome – ha! While I don’t go out of my way to design gardens that will intentionally impale [...]

Read the full article →

A White Cloud on Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for A White Cloud on Wordless Wednesday

Earlier this week I wrote about my visit to Cornerstone Gardens and showed you the Red Lantern garden created by the amazing duo Andy Cao and Xavier Perrot. Today I wanted to introduce you to their other installation titled ‘White Cloud’.  You would be correct in saying I’ve found my new favorite contemporary artists.

Read the full article →

Cornerstone Garden Grasses

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Cornerstone Garden Grasses

Sonoma’s Cornerstone Gardens is one of my very favorite public gardens to visit any time of year.  In my opinion, though, the fall is the best time of all. Not only are the summer crowds long gone but the colors of fall are just beginning to explode.  No longer filled with grapes, the surrounding vineyards [...]

Read the full article →

Garden Designers Roundtable: Focus on the Details

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Garden Designers Roundtable: Focus on the Details

I’ve been wanting to write about this garden for a long time, and have finally found the perfect opportunity with today’s Garden Designers Roundtable topic ‘Focusing on the Details’.  (Warning:  lots of photos for this one!) While touring gardens last year with Debra Lee Baldwin, she insisted I meet her good friend, Jim Bishop.  And, [...]

Read the full article →

Wordless Wednesday – The 2nd Annual Heirloom Exposition

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Wordless Wednesday – The 2nd Annual Heirloom Exposition

Yesterday I met my good friend Patty Craft (with Horticulture Magazine) at the National Heirloom Exposition in Sonoma, CA.  What exactly is the expo?  Their website says it best:  The National Heirloom Exposition is a not-for-profit event centered around the pure food movement, heirloom vegetables, and anti-GMO activism. The show runs for 2 more days, [...]

Read the full article →

Garden Designers Roundtable: Designing with Natives

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Garden Designers Roundtable: Designing with Natives

The natives are coming, the natives are coming!    Each passing year brings more and more native plants to our California nurseries, and I couldn’t be more pleased. In response to this growing demand, even the smallest nursery these days seems to have a section dedicated to native plants. However, there are some clients who are [...]

Read the full article →

Wordless Wednesday: Hummingbird Heaven

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Wordless Wednesday: Hummingbird Heaven

Every day he’s perched high upon his throne where he guards his kingdom below.

Read the full article →

Eggplant Extravaganza

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Eggplant Extravaganza

I’ve been traveling a lot this summer and am so glad to finally be home!  But after nearly five weeks away you can imagine the state of my garden. Fortunately (for my garden, not for me!), my husband was home for most of the time so he was able to keep it watered and somewhat [...]

Read the full article →

A very public front garden

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for A very public front garden

One thing I’ve noticed about many areas of Los Angeles is that if someone is lucky enough to have a garden at all, quite often it’s located in front of the house.  The houses either back up into the surrounding hillsides, or are on super tiny lots with neighboring houses crowding them on all sides. [...]

Read the full article →

Garden Designers Roundtable: Sculpture in the Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Garden Designers Roundtable: Sculpture in the Garden

As a landscape designer and garden writer I see lots and lots of gardens. And while I’m a huge fan of personalizing your garden with whatever art captures your heart, lately I seem to be drawn to selectively placed, oversized sculptures. I think this is because my own life is so hectic right now, and [...]

Read the full article →

Pasadena’s Arlington Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Pasadena’s Arlington Garden

While driving around Pasadena early the other morning, I had a few hours to spare before the Huntington Gardens opened. Imagine my surprise when, while looking for a coffee shop, I accidentally stumbled upon this treasure!  Tucked away in the middle of a residential neighborhood is one of the most exciting public gardens I think [...]

Read the full article →

My Hollywood Home Away from Home

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for My Hollywood Home Away from Home

For the next few weeks I’d like to invite you to join me on my adventure in Los Angeles.  West Hollywood, to be exact.  Why am I here?  My daughter and I are touring colleges and getting to know the town she’ll call home in a year. What’s that have to do with gardening, you [...]

Read the full article →

Landscaping for Privacy – Book Review

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Landscaping for Privacy – Book Review

When meeting with new clients for the first time, the issue of privacy almost always tops their list of ‘must-haves’.  Whether gardening in sprawling estates or in tight residential quarters, gardeners everywhere crave a sense of tranquility, privacy and seclusion from their neighbors. Which is why I was thrilled to receive a copy of Landscaping for [...]

Read the full article →

Wordless Wednesday: From Sonoma to you -Happy 4th of July!

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Wordless Wednesday: From Sonoma to you -Happy 4th of July!
Read the full article →

Garden Designers Roundtable – Using Texture in the Garden

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Garden Designers Roundtable – Using Texture in the Garden

Welcome to the Garden Designers Roundtable, where designers from around the world participate in monthly discussions about all things gardening. The topic for this month is Texture. As many gardeners already know, gardening appeals to all the senses.  Not only do our eyes visually benefit from our creative efforts, but equally important are a garden’s [...]

Read the full article →

Oxalis in my garden

by Rebecca Sweet
Thumbnail image for Oxalis in my garden

I love Oxalis in my garden. No, not the horribly invasive oxalis that has taken over my lawn, but the colorful and well-behaved hybrids available in nurseries everywhere. Come and take a look….

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →