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Greendini
Greendini

Greendini

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Stream About me

  • Gardening Background

  • Biographical Information
    I grew up in Duarte/Monrovia in a house that was designed and built by my mom and dad. He laid out the garden as well so my earliest memory is knowing the common names of just about all the plants in our yard.
    We had to move away from that house but my knowlege of plants continued.
    Fast forward to adult life: I originally went to college to get into theater, not knowing that West Valley College in San Jose also had a great landscape design course line.
    I got married, and then owned a house for ten years that I tended to take care of the yard instead of the inside of the house more. I had about twenty roses and assorted other shrubs. I encountered the first incursion of eugenia psyllid there in 1985.
    Life changes and divorce took me to San Diego. Best move of my life. I started college again and went into landscape design at Mesa College.
    Two design courses, three plant ID classes and some CAD was as far as I got. That was enough to get me a job at Walter Andersen Nursery.
    I've got three children almost all grown up with three grandchildren.
    My kids say that if I ever won the lottery I wouldn't quit my job because I have too much fun.
    I currently live in an upstairs two bedroom apartment with only a few potted

  • My Mulch Profile

  • Occupation
    Retail Nursery Sales
  • Gardening Ability
    4 - Experienced
  • My 5 favorite plants are
    In no particular order: Roses, camellias, orange trees (for the flowers and the fruit), wisteria.
  • What is a garden myth you hear frequently which you know is untrue?
    "You treat gardenias the same way as azaleas. They like the shade."
  • And, what is the reality?
    The only thing those plants have in common is their acidity and soil composition. That's it. Gardenias (except for way inland) can survive in a sunny location just fine with some bark mulch and well amended and good draining soil. Most people plant a gardenia in shade and then water it to death.
  • What is your favorite gardening outfit or costume?
    "Pasadena Patty" I have work clothes but when I have to give a 'class' or tour for children at the nursery I put on my leather jacket and my bush hat, and use a small length hose instead of a whip.
  • What is the one question about gardening you would really like people to ask you?
    An intelligent one.
  • And what's the answer?
    see above
  • Who is your own favorite gardening personality on TV, radio or in print? Why?
    I love Paul James, he's a silly guy. He doesn't have much in the way of useful tips for western gardeners but he's fun.
    I don't know the author but the guy who wrote Gardening for the Criminally Negligent is hilarious! I love useful information presented in a humorous way.
  • Do you have a gardening philosophy you would like to share with other gardeners? What is it?
    Keep a journal of what goes on in your yard! That way if there's a problem, you can track what happened and target potential problems before they happen. Also don't be so picky about your plants appearance either. There's going to be little holes, or spots and as long as they don't get worse, let it go! You're dealing with nature out in the open, not a greenhouse.
  • If you could grow only one plant, what would it be?
    Geeez. Roses. I have a plan in my head for the ultimate rose garden. They have color, fragrance and enough variation to keep me interested in the summer.
  • What plant have you tried to grow that has given you the most trouble? Or, what plant would you like to grow and can't, and why?
    Well, I actually have killed an azalea at the nursery. It surprised me really because it was a little topiary Happy Days that lasted for at least a year. In a shady spot but when I noticed it was dying I realized that the spot it was in stayed too wet. They're too touchy to be in my eventual yard.
  • What is your favorite time in the garden?
    It depends on the weather or season. Late afternoon for winter because it's warmed up by then. Early morning for summer and fall.
  • What is your favorite color in the garden?
    Variegated plants. They give you interest all year round and some of the colors are really striking. Blue is my favorite color but any color in the garden is welcome. (Except brown, that would be a bad thing for a plant usually.)
  • What is your favorite place or activity in the garden?
    Hmmm...Believe it or not, weeding. I hate weeds encroaching on a plant. I also love planting bulbs. The promise of a future plant from a lump is incredibly rewarding.
  • What is your favorite public or private garden in the world? Why?
    Haven't travelled much, so locally my favorite would be Quail Botanical Gardens. If I were to travel, I'd love to see some of the gardens in Hawaii.
  • What individual has influenced your gardening interest the most? How?
    I think my parents, and my dad in particular. I don't ever remember plants dying in our yard, but I also remember him and my brothers out in the yard on a Saturday pulling weeds, mowing and raking. I was the only girl so I had to do 'housework' inside. Somehow in the course of ten years I was taught the names of plants not only in our yard but surrounding canyon plants too.
  • Gardening Dilemmas
    Whether to throw a plant away or try to nurse it back to health. I hate to kill any plant (other than weeds) if it can be saved.
  • What do you dislike most about gardening?
    Um... rainy days. I can't be out there looking at things. What is there to not like about gardening? Oh, when I had my own yard, I hated mowing the lawn and trimming the xylosma hedge. Clean up is a pain.
  • What do you like most about gardening?
    I take care of the camellias and azalea section at the nursery so it's very rewarding to see the buds start to swell on a new variety and show it off to people.
    I love seeing something flourish with minimal attention. The colors and smells of a spring garden are intoxicating.
  • Company/Organization
    Walter Andersen Nursery
  • Favorite Nursery
    Walter Andersen, Pt. Loma. I have been a happy, and loyal employee for 10 years in February.
  • Cat or Dog person
    Both Cat and Dog

  • Education

  • Favorite Quote
    "Plants don't die, people kill them." Ken Andersen.
  • Interests
    Currently, camellias, but also roses and natives.