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Last year, I became a gourmet chef. That may be a slight exaggeration, but growing herbs near my kitchen door raised the bar in my cooking skills.

Surrounded by roses of nearly every color in the rainbow, I smelled vanilla, spice and honey. The sun peaked in and out of the clouds allowing the vivid hues of the petals to change with the light. I was enjoying the garden of rose aficionados Mark and Lane Maloney of Scotts Valley. Among their 40 rose bushes I was to learn how an expert cares for these beauties.

August 2020

Gardening in the Santa Cruz Mountains’ microclimates can be challenging, and it’s no different here in Maui, where I am vacationing.

Those of you who read my column regularly might have noticed I often write about plants that are valuable to the birds and the bees as well as butterflies and wildlife in the general. I have 10 bird feeders around my house. Four for the hummingbirds and the other six have black oil sunflower seed and hulled chips. At this time of year when there are so many young the extra food is much appreciated. I provide water and nectar plants for the bees and butterflies as well. If I had to choose one plant to grow that would provide the most benefit for all the critters it would be ceanothus. Hands down, it’s the best and here are some of my favorite varieties.

What could be lovelier than spending Christmas Eve at a botanical garden? After a windy, stormy morning, the clouds cleared and winter sun brought color to the golden heathers, early blooming rhododendrons and grevilleas growing in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I’ve long wanted to visit this famous garden and here was my chance. I was not disappointed at what is described as 47 acres of beauty next to the coast.