road trip

sunday rocked. literally. the family (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, sister dogs and i) all caravan-ed over to some of our favorite haunts in the mojave desert to search for rocks and wood twigs, roots, the works. it was so much fun to dig around in the dirt for cool findings. everyone found amazing shapes and textures. sharing our loot with such passion "WOW that rock is green!" or "it looks like a mask!". no detail is missed amongst my family. we also made a stop at an antique shop we now frequent for terri planty treasures and beyond. portraits of all the treats on their way.



on our way out of the mojave we cruised the angeles forest. stopping often to take it all in. california is amazing. one minute we are in the desert amongst joshua trees and cacti, and suddenly we are surrounded by pine trees and creeks.



while running out and about in the wild, i also got to play with my camera and shot a lot of wildflowers. all the rain we have had this year has really boosted the color story in the desert and the forest. i spotted quite a few native flora that i will have to come back to this post to identify what their correct names are - i tend to make up my own.



the forest had been in a terrible fire not long ago so there are vast areas where the trees were like black silhouettes, however new growth was sprouting out of them in fuzzy bunches. i wish i would have got a shot of this, but mostly this was happening in steep and narrow parts of the road where parking is limited.
most everything was really green and lush. there were so many natural vertical gardens happening along the rock walls of the road. it never fails to amaze me where plants will choose to grow. and the best part is seeking out new growth and blooms. the wildflowers are like surprises amongst all the expected shrubbery. suddenly there is this color and shape that you don't expect. they are so precious.



have i mentioned how much i dig my adventure loving family? well i do! they are so much fun to be around. i am a lucky girl. we had a really good time (crazy wind and all - check out everyone's hair below).  even the dogs had a really good time (i swear they are smiling in the earlier photos).



p.s. we didn't take anything from the protected wildlife areas. we did however clean up! people can be such pigs!

interview with a gardener - Chris VanDeusen

hello hello! this is my first interview with a gardener post! i have been waiting patiently to get started on my process of interviewing and showcasing all the lovely gardeners and gardens that i know and have inspired me. i have been planning to begin this series of posts when i made the terri planty blog in the first place but i got so busy with my business. so today we begin this journey of posts with a very special person in my life.
the first interview with a gardener is Chris VanDeusen. she is a talented landscape consultant and works at an adorable nursery, sheridan gardens. chris gave birth to my childhood bff, miss megan. i grew up in their garden playing in their tree house, creating fashion shows on their lawn and camping in their secret garden in the back. it holds so many memories. the house is packed with character, a bungalow in a happy shade of yellow, surrounded by gorgeous flora that is always changing, blooming and booming with color and texture. chris and her garden were one of my earliest horticultural influences.


i sat down with chris and asked her some questions about herstory with plants...
what is your earliest memory of working with plants?
1978 when i went to work as a cashier at mel-o-dee nursery in north hollywood.

when did your interest in plants / gardening begin? did anyone in particular or a specific moment inspire you?
at that time it may have been 1976, inspiration came from working at the nursery. at one time i had over 50 plants in my apartment living room.



where was your first garden?
in this house which we bought in 1987.

what is your process for designing your personal garden and / or others landscapes?
i like to putter in my garden. it is eclectic and evolves over time. i bring plants home from the nursery and see how they do in my garden. when i do other people's gardens i ask them questions like what colors they like, what types of plants and overall look do they want.



where do you seek references, research, inspiration or ideas?
i get most of my ideas from the nursery or driving around looking at landscapes. i also like the magazines "better homes & gardens" and "sunset". when i go on vacation i love checking out the nurseries in the area. sunset western garden book is my bible.



favorite garden tools...
gloves!! pruners and hand trowel.

favorite indoor plants..
chinese evergreen and philodendron cordatum

favorite outdoor plants...
coneflower, sweetpeas, brunfelsia, ficus benjamina, silver sheen pittosporum, varigated erisimum, succulents, old fashion violets, campanula, roses, sweet pea bush, salvia and sages etc. (there are so many!)




what are your favorite nurseries and public gardens?
sheridan gardens, sperling's in calabasas, rogers gardens in newport beach and descanso gardens.




favorite spot in your garden...
my tiny backyard is like a secret garden



favorite thing about YOUR garden...
that i have figured out over the years what works and what doesn't get bugs, diseases and what looks good together and how it all evolves into something that nature planned not me!




do you have any final gardening tips to leave us with?
a garden is a work in progress, always changing and evolving with the seasons. don't be afraid to jump in and try different things. the plant world is always changing. try new things and relax and enjoy. remember the number one killer in the home garden is too much water!



p.s. like the title "interview with a gardener"? it is kinda my spin on interview with a vampire... hee hee. gardners like vampires like to play with mortality, life, death, nature, romance...
i know. i am dork. so what! :)