Fuchsias have lots of flower power, and are perennial garden favorites for humans and hummingbirds. They feature charming blooms which dangle like bells in soft pastel colors, or bright reds, pinks, or purples. They’re great companion plants for orchids, too. Our fuchsias, shown in the first two photos above, grow happily in the sun alongside […]
It’s well-established that gardening is good for our health, and a new British study augments the evidence. Researchers from the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society analyzed data from almost 8,000 people. The study found the benefits of gardening to health and wellbeing were similar to the difference in health between people living […]
As we continue to shelter in place and stay close to home, Dave and I have been taking walks around nearby neighborhoods, and enjoying great Pacifica gardens. Of course, we follow public health guidelines, keeping a safe distance, and wearing masks when we’re near other people, but these areas aren’t crowded, so it’s easy. While […]
Our spring garden is racing along and full of flowers. The winter rains were light, but it was apparently enough to make things burst into growth. The photos begin with a few outdoor orchids in the first row. There’s my favorite fragrant Zygo, a vigorous Australian Sarcochilus, and a stunning Cymbidium species, all thriving in […]
In my first post about RHS Garden Wisley, I focused on orchids, but there was certainly plenty more to enjoy. There’s only one more orchid in this post, a Stanhopea in the first picture. Stanhopeas are known for their bizarre but short-lived flowers, only lasting a few days. We certainly were lucky to find so […]
The Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) is one of the most popular gardens in the world. Founded in 1859, it’s played a pivotal role in Singapore’s orchid industry, but there’s more than orchids in its 203 acres (82 hectares.) This tropical paradise is home to the National Orchid Garden, and also a Ginger Garden, Children’s Garden, […]
Want to live longer? Try gardening! Many of the world’s oldest living people are gardeners. In Earth’s “blue zones” where people live the longest, many of them garden into their 80’s and 90’s. Of course, fresh air and exercise are very beneficial, and homegrown fruits and vegetables can improve diets, too. Scientific studies have shown […]
“Plant blindness” is a tendency not to notice plants. People are generally much better at noticing animals. With increased urbanization, and more time spent looking at screens, the problem has worsened. Most don’t appreciate how important plants are, and that weakens support for plant conservation. As orchids and other plants face extinction, protecting them is […]
Dave’s work takes him to lots of interesting places, and he occasionally gets a free day when he can explore. Last month he visited Hortus Botanicus, which is Amsterdam’s Botanical Garden. It’s one of the oldest in the world, dating to 1638. There weren’t many orchids on display, but in the midst of a Northern […]
With his recent London visit, Dave was able to enjoy some of Kew Garden’s wonders, including the remarkable Temperate House. Dating to 1863, the glasshouse had closed for five years of upgrades and renovations, and reopened last May to much fanfare. It’s the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, and houses many rare plants which […]
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