EdenMaker Garden Tour

I used to hate succulents and cacti when I was a kid.

What was I thinking?

I was too young and inexperienced in the garden to appreciate the sculptural beauty of these gems.

Not anymore!

 

"Pretty" back then meant "flowers," but today I'm awed by the form, texture and color of succulents, even when they are not in flower.

I use succulents in planters and place them in areas where I can appreciate them close up and show them off to other people as my "living art."

 

 Take a peek at the beauties I saw at the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena recently.

 I was there on the day after Thanksgiving, "Black Friday" and have never seen so many people in line to visit a garden!

I called it my "Green Friday" and I was in great company! 

 

No, they were not giving anything away at the Huntington Gardens on Black Friday-only beauty! 

 

Aloe striata "coral aloe" will flower annually. The leaves grow from the center and eventually "fill out" the plant.

 

 

Aeonium pseudotabuliforme, lime green and sublime.

 

Testudinaria elephantipes, ("elephant's foot") The silver leaves look like a string of glass beads growing out of a giant wood carving! 

 

Aloe parvibracteata ready to flower!

 

Aloe suffulta- I love the markings on the strappy leaves 

 

 

Echinocactus grusonii "golden barrel cacti" hold back the brigade of "wooly torch," (Cleistocactus strausii).

This reminds me of what I saw under the microscope in biology lab.

 

Opuntia with ruby fruit.

You can eat the fruit and also the "paddles" make a delicious low calorie "nopalito salad."

 

 

Agave americana "Variegata" is the grand dame of the succulent garden with leaves that grow up to 5 feet long!

 

Once the agave puts out a flower on a 6 to 25 foot stem, the Agave begins to decline.

The good news is that it takes about 20 or 30 years for the agave to flower so this plants will be around for a while.

Curious about cacti and succulents?

 

How to Propagate a Kalanchoe Plant by Cuttings

 

 

 

Check out these websites and blogs:

Cold Hardy Cactus

Optuniads of the USA

Cactus Blog

 

My husband, Larry and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary last weekend in Pasadena, California.

(Yes, I was a child bride).

We spent three glorious days visiting some of the nation's most loved botanical destinations including Descanso Gardens, the Los Angeles Arboretum and the Huntington Library and Gardens.

One of the highlights of our trip was dinner at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena, a restaurant that boasts its own organic gourmet garden!

continue reading..

 

I had Chicago all wrong!

Chicago IS a model for sidewalk garden urban chic and a shining example of urban renewal.

I was expecting downtown Chicago to be another congested, concrete jungle, as is the case with many high profile cities.

As a Los Angeles native, born and raised downtown, I had low expectations for Chicago based on my experience here.

 

The Chicago streetscapes  along Michigan Avenue in Chicago's famed "Magnificent Mile" area are jaw-dropping beautiful!

 

Apparently, the taxes  there are outrageous, but many of the merchants  contribute and fund these gardens that beautify storefronts, restaurants, hotels and offices.

Great example of someone else's sacrifice for my enjoyment!

 

Entrance to the Independent Garden Center trade show

 

I was in Chicago to report on the latest gardening products showcased at the Independent Garden Center Show.

But, I have to admit, I was a little distracted.

 

To my surprise,  there was a proliferation of neat and tidy curbside gardens everywhere, even in the parking lots!

 

I was so busy scoping out the gardens, I didn't pay attention to the "A-List"  fashion stores along the boulevard.

There's nothing like free entertainment and this garden lover enjoyed it in spades!

 

Check out these fashionably coordinated gardens and garden art installations along Michigan Avenue and some lesser traveled side street gardens.

 

I wish my Los Angeles urban areas looked like this:

 

Chicago's Magnificant Mile Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Umbrella garden" dress with  tropical coleus and impatiens plants.

 

 

Recycled bottle cap dress and pink begonias

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coca cola dress in lush garden

 

 

Fake flowers never looked so fashionable!

 

 

Pristine lawn and flower beds with red impatiens and sweet potato vine to enjoy from behind an iron fence.

 

 

Re-purposed shower curtain dress on a mannequin used as focal point in this garden.

 

 

Recycled table cloth dress on mannequin in small garden surrounded by box hedge and filled with white impatiens.

 

 

For more information on this garden walk, check out:  www.TheMagnificantMile.com

 

 

Just another "median strip garden"  filled with red fountain grass, purple salvia, red begonias and yellow marigolds  in Chicago.

 

Downtown Chicago is a premiere garden destination!

 

 

This curbside dining oasis was shared by at least four different restaurants.

 

The small gesture of placing dining tables behind simple, white picket fence panels transfomed a humble sidewalk into a dining destination!

Add container gardens and you have "Eden-esque" dining.

I didn't even notice the cars!

 

 

 

This is my kind of bus stop. I wouldn't mind waiting here for an hour!

 

The sound of water trickling from this stone fountain creates enough white noise to distract and muffle the sound of traffic for the weary traveler.

I was so absorbed by it, I missed the bus!

 

 

Cordyline, coleus, sweet potato, impatiens, red begonia….a little color in downtown Chicago

 

 

 

This is the best dressed fire hydrant I've ever seen!

 

Even the dogs show  respect for it!

It's cool how the red fire hydrant takes on a sculptural role in this small curbside garden.

 

 

 

Croton madness!

 

This red monochromatic planting scheme was hanging on a brick wall in front of a hotel.

Downtown Chicagoan's tuck their plants everywhere.

 

Garden enthusiasts will be thrilled by the "free garden tours" in downtown Chicago.

Make a point to visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens while you are there.

Don't miss it!

 I’m not trying to be coy with my post title, there is a reason why I worded it that way. My family, along with our best friends, the Hargraves family, attended a luau in Lahaina where the hosts made a point of “leiing” (if that is a word) all of their guests as they arrived. I can appreciate that because there is no better way to say, “welcome” than with flowers!

 

Check out Shirley’s “Old Lahaina Luau” video clip!

The Bovshow family (left- the “darker” family) with our best friends, the Hargraves family.

The award winning, Old Lahaina Luau didn’t fake it with plastic flowers but instead offered fresh flower leis that were fragrant, colorful and beautiful. After we were leied, our gracious hosts escorted us to a generous open bar where the afterglow effect was extended with complimentary Mai Tai’s, Pina Colada’s, Chi Chi’s and other libations to stimulate the appetite for the feast. I opted for a less potent iced tea but had the option of other delicious non alcoholic drinks such as tropical guava, pineapple and orange juice.

Why Attend a Luau?

As a first time visitor to Hawaii, there was no way I was going to miss out on this age-old tradition. We chose the Old Lahaina Luau based on their outstanding reputation for excellent service, delicious food, premium entertainment and above all, the distinction of being “authentic” in their presentation and ceremony. Situated off of the beach, the flickering tiki torches, swaying palms and thatched roofs added to the romance of the oceanside setting. We watched the sunset and basked in the warmth of the tropical summer night.

What is a Luau?

Today, the word “luau” has come to mean “an informal gathering of people to enjoy food and entertainment.” This tradition began with the old Hawaiian custom of getting together to celebrate a victory in battle or any other significant event to the people. Little did I know, my family, the Bovshow’s have been “luauing” for years as we gather to celebrate every little positive event, minus the pig for my Jewish family.

What About the Roasted Pig?

Guests are invited to join the chef at the ocean’s edge and watch the Kalua pig being unearthed from the traditional Hawaiian underground oven called and “Imu.” We missed out on this because we were so busy taking photos of each other and the scenery that we didn’t pay attention to the announcement.

The Feast!

“Feast” is the perfect word to describe the multiple courses of authentic Hawaiian cuisine that are served family-style throughout the evening. The friendly and knowledgeable servers presented each dish while highlighting interesting stories about key ingredients. I liked the fact that I was not only dining, but also learning about the history of foods staples like taro and its significance to the Hawaiian people. I learned that taro tubers are mashed and used like a potato, flour is made from taro and taro leaves are used to wrap and steam the food in. Taro was in everything! Fresh baked taro rolls and macadamia nut butter were served at every table. We were warned to pace ourselves!

What do Vegetarians and Calorie-Phobic People Eat at Luaus?

Fortunately, Hawaiian cuisine also includes fresh fish like Poe, Mahi Mahi and Ahi Poke (marinated raw Ahi Tuna) for those who perfer lighter protein than pork, chicken and steak. I’m one of those people who keeps a running calorie tab of my daily food consumption, so I enjoyed the feast by sampling a couple of bites of each dish. There were plenty of vegetable and “starch” based dishes (as they referred to it) to round out the meal. One of my favorite dishes was the Pahole salad made with fern shoots, Maui onions, tomatoes. Check out the complete Old La Haina menu here.

What About the Dancing Girls?

The crowning jewel of the Old Lahaina Luau is the entertainment, as far as I’m concerned. Body types of every kind were represented in the dance ensemble proving that grace comes in many packages. ( I hate watching perfect bodies, especially when I am stuffing my face). The presentation centered on telling the history of the Hawaiian people through storytelling, dance and song. The fire dancer at the end was especially popular with my kids.

How Much Did it Cost?

The the price of admission per person was on the high side, ($95 dollars for adults and $65 dollars for kids under 12), but the experience was priceless! The luau would have been THE highlight of my trip, but of course, that spot can only go to something nearer and dearer to my heart- exploring the plant life in Maui!

Next Up: “Indoor Plants” Growing Wild in Maui!