I love bunch grasses. They are easy to care for, natural looking and come in a huge variety of colors and sizes. One of the best things about bunch grasses is, deer avoid them; if deer browse your garden on a regular basis consider bunch... Continue
(By Karen Boness) -- “I am the OTHER girl and the fig.” I declared that nearly four years ago when I bought my little ranch-style house on Sonoma’s west side. I like my little house, although it really isn’t anything very special. But my fig tree... Continue
If you are looking for a pretty, California native bunch grass that is fine textured, water-wise and resistant to deer, consider Deer Grass, Idaho Fescue and Leafy Reed Grass. What I like best about these three native bunch grasses is their lovely colors, their fine... Continue
Strawberry trees (Arbutus “Marina”) are blooming and fruiting about town. You can see some along the bike path in Olsen Park and there are two in Sonoma Plaza as well. Look left (south) of the Visitor Center entrance just around the corner of the building... Continue
I recently attended a workshop about the 2015 revisions to California’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) and it’s clear that water budgeting is getting stricter and irrigation efficiency requirements are getting higher. The aim of changes to WELO: 1) conserve water by reducing turf and... Continue
I love this time of year in Sonoma. The early morning crispness in the air whispers autumn. Leaves are just starting to turn color. My fig tree sports splashes of yellow and the liquidambar down the block is revealing its first red leaves. I especially... Continue
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) the Cork Oak (Quercus suber), one of the trees of the Sonoma Plaza, is a priority species. Priority species are considered by WWF to be the most “ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet.” Indigenous to... Continue
On the color wheel, purple is classified as a secondary color. Secondary colors are created by combining two primary colors. Purple is created by combining red and blue. Of course there are many shades of purple depending on the percentages of red and blue in... Continue
When I was very young I only wanted to wear pink. I was thrilled when I got pink colored candy and yearned for pink toys, a pink school bag, and pink doll clothes. I requested that my parents paint the room I shared with my... Continue
Orange is a happy color. It is associated with good health, vitality and vitamin C. But according to some research, the color orange can also be considered “abrasive and crass.” I’ve had just as many clients specifically ask for plants with orange colored flowers as... Continue