Laguna Beach Succulent Gardens

Sansevieria, fountain at Laguna Beach Water District (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

On the Laguna Beach Garden Tour I go hunting for succulents. Nearly all varieties thrive in Laguna’s mild coastal climate. But what gets me every time are the flowering annuals and perennials that snuggle up to the succulents.

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Eight Bold-Hued California Classics

Certain low-water annuals and perennials are “nostalgia plants,” because they remind me of my SoCA childhood. These California classics are as popular now as 40 years ago, for good reason: they’re easy-care, readily available, inexpensive, and add great texture and interest to Southwest gardens. The plants’ bold hues are reminiscent of a Mexican serape: purple, orange,…

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Announcing the Second Edition of Designing with Succulents!

  When publisher Timber Press proposed a celebratory 10th anniversary, second edition of Designing with Succulents, I figured all I’d have to do is change a word here and there and add a few photos. So I agreed to what seemed like a reasonable deadline—six months. But as soon as I dove into the project, I realized so…

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