ArcaMax

A garden. Is there a more potent image, carrying as it does such hefty biblical weight?

Certainly British writer Nick Newman would have been hard-pressed to keep the implications out of mind as he put fingers to keyboard to create “The Garden.” Like the one populated by Adam and Eve, two people reside in Newman’s version: sisters Evelyn (...Read more

Last year was an eye-opening year for me, when it comes to Jamesbrittenia. I’m sure you are like Microsoft Word, and underlining in red already and asking, "Who is Jamesbrittenia?" I still struggle with it too.

Jamesbrittenia is a genus with about 83 species of plants, mostly from South Africa, Sudan and Egypt. James Briton, for whom the ...Read more

Q: I was digging around in the back of my refrigerator and found a sealed package with leftover vegetable seeds from last year. There are some that are in the original packaging and some seeds in baggies that I harvested from a few tomatoes and peppers. How do I know if the seeds are still good? I don't want to plant them and not have them grow ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Juan Villegas' community was still burning on the afternoon of Jan. 8. But there was one place he had to get to: Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, his alma mater.

The Pasadena middle school had welcomed Villegas as a 12-year-old from Mexico. It's where he found his footing in a strange new country, connecting with other Latino ...Read more

Once all of the polar vortices run their course, I assure you our gardens have the possibility of becoming like a beautiful Fairytrail this year. Some of you no doubt think I just misspelled fairy tale (Microsoft Word does). I am talking about a hot new series of hydrangeas. Those of you in the know may have just gone on alert when I said ...Read more

Q: I received a Phalaenopsis orchid as a present last fall, and it is still blooming. I have never tried growing an orchid even though I do have some other house plants. I am wondering what I should do with it this summer when it is warmer outside. Are there other orchids that grow in similar situations that also bloom for a long time?

A: Yes, ...Read more

Two new Superbells calibrachoas are hitting the garden centers this year and will forever change your mind on the incorporation of double flowers in your designs. That’s right: Superbells Double Vintage Coral and Double Smitten Pink will win your hearts.

Yours truly had a mental block on double calibrachoas until a few years ago when I had ...Read more

In just a few weeks, winter will be over. Most birds will be happy it is over, too. The typical sparrow or cardinal that comes to a backyard feeder weighs about as much as a quarter. They spend virtually every waking moment looking for food (just like teenagers) and may consume 15% of their body weight on a cold winter's night trying to stay ...Read more