Alison's Gardens

It all started with some Crystal Palace lobelia from the Payless in Oakland. First I discovered other lobelias, both clumping and trailing. White, pale blue, pink -- I planted them all. Then I planted more annuals -- pansies, snapdragons, impatiens. My husband said that my thumb began emitting a strange green glow when I was near plants.

• the Oakland gardens
• the Sacramento gardens
• fall and winter
• early spring 2002
• spring 2003
• spring 2004