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barbstrona
barbstrona

barbstrona

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Stream About me

  • Gardening Background

  • Biographical Information
    Born in LA, Have lived in CA, Ohio, MI,CA, Switzerland, PA, VA, Md,WA in other lives. Taught high school English until I switched to selling real estate in 1984. (Not as stressful & not as many papers to read at one time) Married since 1964 to Carl, architect. Began dating in 1960! 2 children: Nathan & Lindsey. Lindsey has 2 boys, one born in 2003 and one in 2006. Nathan is divorced with no children. Have lived in Mission Hills (San Diego neighborhood) since 1971.

  • My Mulch Profile

  • Website
    www.strona.com
  • Gardening Ability
    2 - Sort of Experienced
  • My 5 favorite plants are
    Sugar maple, birch tree, tulip, jacaranda, olive tree, kangaroo paw.
    At my house they are the big hydrangea, my gardenias, my kangaroo paws, jacaranda, red leptospermum, and miniature red rose bushes.
  • What is a garden myth you hear frequently which you know is untrue?
    That it's hard to kill a rose bush.
  • And, what is the reality?
    The only things I cannot kill are date palms (I try) and crab grass and morning glory and other strangling vines.
  • What is your favorite gardening outfit or costume?
    Anything that lets me feel the sun on my skin and that won't be destroyed by my vicious rose bushes.
  • What is the one question about gardening you would really like people to ask you?
    How do you keep your plants so healthy?
  • And what's the answer?
    I don't. (I'd really like my garden to look good enough for people to ask how I keep my plants so healthy. I realize it'll never happen)
  • Who is your own favorite gardening personality on TV, radio or in print? Why?
    Tiger Palafox. He's knowledgable, entertaining, & gorgeous.
  • Do you have a gardening philosophy you would like to share with other gardeners? What is it?
    Survival of the fittest is my philosophy. If it can't survive my erratic care, it doesn't deserve to live with me.
  • If you could grow only one plant, what would it be?
    I have no idea what I'd grow. Is there a plant that bears flowers and fruit or vegetables all year long and which has a beautiful and interesting trunk with twists and turns.
  • 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?
    I would love to grow a dogwood or the kind of magnolia that flourishes in a cold climate.
  • What is your favorite time in the garden?
    Early morning and the late afternoon when the sun is just beginning to lose its strength.
  • What is your favorite color in the garden?
    Deep blue-red. . . I love the color of my Don Juan roses. I also love my red kangaroo paws. My Abe Lincoln rose is pretty, too.

    I like white in the garden as well.
  • What is your favorite place or activity in the garden?
    I like sitting next to my rose garden looking at the canyon or sitting on the terrace which we call Little Tuscany on the south side of our house outside our bedroom.
  • What is your favorite public or private garden in the world? Why?
    I love the landscaping at the Bel Air Hotel in LA. I hope it's still there since I avoid LA, but it was absolutely lovely. I adore the Masai Mara which is not a garden but makes me feel I've gone back to the beginning of man's existence.
  • What individual has influenced your gardening interest the most? How?
    My friend Jere dragged me to the Mission Hills Garden Club as it was forming. I was asked to write an article about the new MHGC each month and I've been doing so since spring of 1999! Writing about gardening sparked my interest. I have learned to like many plants that I used to ignore or even dislike!
  • Gardening Dilemmas
    Getting the automatic watering on the right schedule; getting someone to weed properly; encouraging beneficials to please eat some of the bugs causing problems.
  • What do you dislike most about gardening?
    I don't care for weeding, fertilizing, or seeing the damage pests do. I don't really like gardening maintenance. I rarely spray with anything but water.
  • What do you like most about gardening?
    I like putting the plant in the ground after someone digs the hole and then cutting and arranging flowers when they appear. I love LOOKING at my garden and spending time with the bees and birds. Bees and hummingbirds seem to trust me.
  • Favorite Nursery
    Mission Hills Nursery
  • Cat or Dog person
    Both Cat and Dog
  • What is your Garden Test Score?
    I Haven't Taken the Test Yet

  • Education

  • Favorite Quote
    I have so many I can't choose one.
  • Interests
    Reading, traveling, writing, my grandchildren, my cats, cooking, flower arranging, languages, baking

  • Plant Care Provider Profile