By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

I’m always delighted when I discover an aspidistra flower—a surprise I rank right up there with noticing a shooting star or finding a robin's nest with eggs in it.

It’s the flower’s location that strikes me: right at ground (or potting-soil) level. It turns out that the blooms are pollinated by amphipods, which are tiny terrestrial relatives of both fleas and shrimp.

My aspidistras (A. elatior, also called cast iron plants because they grow in low light with minimal care) seem to produce at least a couple of rounds of bloom per year. My garden notes say that one pot full of them flowered in June, and now they're at it again in November. 

If you haven’t grown this plant, it’s one of the easiest indoor subjects around, thriving on a certain amount of controlled neglect. If you kill one of these, it will almost certainly be a long slow demise caused by overwatering. The good news is that all you have to do to reverse the process is sharply curtail your irrigation. 

It was once thought that there were only a few kinds of aspidistra, all from Asia, but recently several dozen more species have turned up, and some have started to work their way into the nursery trade. You can buy the plain green species, plus several named varieties that differ mostly in kind and intensity of variegation from Plant Delights Nursery. 

Whatever kind you get, check out the soil every time you water. Sooner or later, a rather wonderful flower will appear.

By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

Question I have some beautiful indoor plants. I'd like to add different colored stripes to the leaves. These are big plants (pretty much trees) with long green leaves. I think it would be a cool art project to paint different colored stripes (one per leaf) on them.

Will this kill the plant?

Any advice on a paint that wouldn't harm it it? I just like art projects and think it would be cool to have different colored stripes on the ordinarily green leaves. Any advice would be helpfull!

Thanks! —Brian

Answer For more than a decade in Europe, and about 5 years in the United States, growers have painted live poinsettias (pictured above) for the Christmas market. They use a proprietary paint formula. But florists also use paint—a lacquer-based spray paint that is widely available—mostly to color cut flowers without damaging them. Sold under the Design Master label, it's also listed for use on foliage. I personally haven't used it, so I can't give you any personal experience that speaks to its performance on live plants over the long haul—but it's promising. Give it a try and send me pictures.

—Jim McCausland

    
By Julie Chai, Sunset associate garden editor

At the recent Late Show garden show, we were thrilled by all the inventive displays. There were so many amazing creations that it's hard to narrow them down, but here are a few of our favorites. Above, garden designers Suzanne Biaggi and Patrick Picard created the Future Feast with edibles planted right into a tabletop. Produce doesn't get any fresher than that!

We also loved the way designer Beth Mullins turned tires inside out and used them as planters in her display:

By Johanna Silver, Sunset test garden coordinator

I cannot believe we're already halfway through August! Here is (some of) what's in bloom in the test garden.

Sunflower, 'Golden Honey Bear'

Rose, 'Over the Moon'

New trial rose from Weeks Wholsale Rose Grower (not yet available to the public), 06R408

Mint

Cardoon, 'Tenderheart'

Eucomis cosmosa
(pineapple flower)

By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Take a look at the charming garden shed Port Orchard, Washington gardener Lisa Phipps created almost entirely out of recycled materials. And then come back for the inside view shown below.

Phipps got the idea for the romantic ceiling treatment when she found a bolt of muslin being sold at "triple clearance."  She bought the whole thing, and, with the help of a girlfriend, used all of it to cover the ceiling, arranging the fabric in deep folds. 

The draped fabric sways gently in the wind when cross-breezes blow through the shed, says Phipps.  And when she's in the space after dark, the chandelier lights turn the muslin a warm glowing color, she says. 

The interesting loveseat against the back window is actually an old Ferris wheel chair.  The oblong ornament in the window is architectural salvage.  And the chandelier?  It's new.  "It's one of the few things I've paid full price for in this shed," says Phipps.  "But it makes the space."

More ways to decorate with things you may already have

By Julie Chai, Sunset associate garden editor

For more than two decades, the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show has been a place for gardeners to check out the latest garden design trends, shop for new plants, and commune with other garden fanatics.

So many of us were devastated earlier this year when show owner Duane Kelly announced that he was retiring, and hoped to find someone to take over the show—but would close the show if he didn't. Over the past few months he'd gotten lots of interest, but was holding out for someone with his level of integrity (which is astoundingly high) and commitment to maintaining and improving the show's quality. As of opening day yesterday, he hadn't found the right buyer to pass the torch to, so it was with a mix of delight about the show's new location, and sadness about the event's ending, that we took in the magical garden displays for what we thought would be the last time.

Then last night at a garden writers' reception, Duane announced that he'd confirmed a buyer! We were thrilled at the news, and even more thrilled when we learned that the buyers have already put in place a steering committee of Bay area design superstars Davis Dalbok of Living Green, Tim O'Shea of Greenworks, Robin Stockwell of Succulent Gardens, and contractor Mike Boss of Rock & Rose Landscapes. Sunset has had the pleasure of working with all of them over the years, and know they'll take the event to a whole new level. We're already looking forward to next year's show...

By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

In the same way that interior plantscapers press orchids into service as indoor art, Deidre Finley uses carnivorous plants. Her favorites are pitcher plants: those shown here are from her collection.

You can make something like them easily, and just as striking.

Because these plants have their own sculptural beauty, they look terrific in the ceramic trays, mugs, and glass vases that Finley picks up for very little money at antiques and collectibles shops. And because carnivores are bog dwellers, they are among the few plants that can thrive in containers that don’t have drainage holes drilled in their bottoms. Just put plants where they'll get plenty of light, keep them moist, and they'll live (and catch the insects that form a large part of their diet) for years.

Finley owns Big Dipper Farm nursery in Black Diamond, Washington.

It's that time of year! Here are some garden events to add to your March calendar:

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

March 6-8, San Francisco
Check out more than 150,000 varieties of orchids, and shop, at the Pacific Orchid Exposition. (www.orchidsanfrancisco.org or 415/665-2468)

March 14, Palo Alto
Learn how to plant a spring veggie garden from a Santa Clara County Master Gardener at Gamble Garden (www.mastergardeners.org/events/2009/all-about-planting-spring-vegetable-garden)

March 15 till June 1, Ben Lomond
Love Apple Farm  tomato seedling sale—Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday till June 1 (or until supplies last).  Look for at least 100 different varieties; selection is subject to availability. (growbetterveggies.com)

March 18-22, San Mateo
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. Display gardens, seminars, and the marketplace will include native plants, edibles, drought-tolerant garden ideas, and other sustainability-related topics and products. (gardenshow.com or 415/771-6909)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Feb. 27-March 1, Del Mar
"Don't Move--Improve", San Diego Home/Garden Show at the Del Mar Fairground.  Includes display gardens, plant marketplace, exhibits, speakers. (www.springhoomegardenshow.com or 858/350-3738)

March 1, San Marino
Bonsai-a-Thon at The Huntington.  Exhibits, demonstrations, prize drawings, and bonsai plants and products for sale. (www.huntington.org or 626/405-2100)

March 7-8, Irvine
"Prelude to Spring", UCI Arboretum Winter Bulb Festival.  Enjoy the beds of blooming bulbs and the opportunity to buy same.  (http://arboretum.bio.uci.edu/ or 949/824-5833)

March 14, El Cajon
Water Smart Plant Fair at The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.  Plant vendors, lecturers, design consultations, and more (www.thegarden.org or 619/985-8337).

March 19-22, Fullerton
Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale at Fullerton Arboretum.  Over 200 varieties of tomatoes for sale--as well as peppers and chiles--including 'Sunset Red Horizon', an heirloom tomato named for Sunset Magazine. (www.arboretum.fullerton.edu or 714/278-3407)

March 20-22, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Earl Waren Showgrounds.  More than 50 orchid exhibitors plus demonstrations, and orchid-themed art. (www.sborchidshow.com or 805-969-5746)

March 21-22, Encinitas
Herb Festival, Spring Plant Sale, and Tomatomania at Quail Botanical Gardens.  Herb-related products, lectures, tas.  Hybrid and heirloom tomato seedlings.  (www.qbgardens.org or 760/436-3036)

March 21-22, Arcadia
Ikebana International Show and Sale at The Arboretum of Los Angeles County. (www.arboretum.org or 626/821-3222)

March 21-May 17, Saturdays & Sundays, Claremont
Spring Garden Walks at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.  Enjoy a guided tour through the Garden's wildflower displays and native plants collections.  (www.rsabg.org or 909/625-8767)

March 27-29, Encino
Tomato Mania at Tapia Brothers Stand.  Nearly 300 varieties of hybrid and heirloom tomatoes for sale.  (www.tomatomania.com or 818/905-6155)

—Sharon Cohoon

ROCKIES

March 28-29, Littleton, CO
Colorado Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale. This sale has hundreds of very unusual cacti and succulents, both hardy and non-hardy varieties. Experts are on hand to answer questions. (720-962-9070, http://www.ccss-online.org/)

—Marcia Tatroe

By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Maybe it's because I took a week of vacation in mid-December this year which threw off my normal holiday routine.  Or maybe it's the effect of the economy which is making us all gear back on everything.  Or maybe it was deadlines.  But for whatever reason I didn't entertain much this holiday season, and now I regret it.

So I think I'm going to throw a Chinese New Year's party in order to spend some time with friends before the year gets too crazy.  2009 is the Year of the Ox, and I think we're all going to need ox-like patience and strength to get through it.  So I'm in the same mood as the lunar year.

I plan to wrap some vases in joss paper, make sake-tinis, supplement a few main courses with some Chinese take-out, and attempt this bouquet.  It was made by Kit Wertz and Casey Schwartz, the sisters/owners of the Redondo Beach floral design studio, Flower Duet.  They are offering a workshop on this Chinese New Year-inspired bouquet at Huntington Gardens on January 24, 10 am to noon.  (The bouquet made there will not be identical but will have the same traditional elements.)  $85 for non-members.  Registration:  626-405-2128.

Everything in this bouquet is symbolic, Wertz told me.  Red and gold are traditional Chinese New Year colors.  Red drives away evil and bad luck and represents happiness.  Gold represents wealth.  Red and gold also stand in for two of the five elements of feng shui -- fire and metal, respectively.  Water is a third element.  And the remaining two are wood (represented by the stalks of lucky bamboo) and earth (represented by the glass marbles in the vase). 

The numbers used are significant, too, says Wertz.  Nine is always an auspicious number; it symbolizes good luck and long life. (Wertz used nine red roses).  Five is also good as it is said to attract wealth and health.  (There are five stems of lucky bamboo and also five shorter stalks of trachelium jade.) The green cascade spilling out to the table symbolizes the firecrackers the Chinese like to set off at midnight to scare away evil spirits.  What they actually are, though, are snippets of horsetail (Equisetum).

Other flowers traditional for Chinese New Year--January 26th this year, by the way--are peach blossom, narcissus, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums.  Kumquat fruit is often used, too. 

By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

Talking with staff at Swanson's Nursery in Seattle a few years ago, I asked them what their favorite indoor plants were. They gave me a top ten list that I've hung onto, but never published before today.

They organized their favorites in three categories.

Fabulous flowers
Bromeliads Architectural and exotic, these bring the jungle to you. Try Aechmea fasciata ‘Primera’, whose big pink flowers make people ask, “Is it real?” Tillandsia cyanea (below) is another favorite.

Hibiscus Huge, mallow-like blooms come in twos and threes, require bright light.

Orchids Try any of the moth orchids (above) for winter-spring bloom in bright, indoor light; or for plenty of flowers that smell like chocolate, try ‘Sherry Baby’ orchid.

Spathiphyllums Pure white, calla-like flowers that bloom in low light.

Fragrant indoor favorites
Citrus ‘Meyer’ lemons give you citrus-scented blooms and edible lemons. Grow them in a sunroom.

Gardenia Another sunroom special with deep, spicy fragrance and white flowers.

Extravagant foliage
Aloe vera “The best burn treatment out there,” says Swansons’ Glenna Bennett, “everybody should have one in the kitchen.”

Begonia ‘Escargot’ Named for its brightly variegated leaves (left), which start small and spiral out into eye-popping 6-inchers.

Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Cited as the only plant you could grow under your bed. Not really—but it survives on fewer photons than you can believe.

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) Fascinating in its own right, it’s the classic filler: plant several around the base of a potted palm.