Thursday, March 13, 2014

Five years, Five times a week (+) = 1,400

I started this blog five years ago today.

I’m sure there as many reasons to start a blog as there are bloggers. Me? It all came down to a day-job I was unhappy with and an opportunity to do something personally meaningful. My boss called it guerilla marketing. The concept was that by blogging on topics we were personally passionate about (and occasionally mentioning the company and linking to its website) we would in turn draw-in potential clients. Did it work? No, not really.

Out of that insipid beginning came danger garden, something I am proud of. Something that has introduced me to more interesting plant people than I would have ever dreamed possible, led to many important friendships and even a earned me a couple of professional opportunities.

In those first days I was so energized by this new creative outlet I posted every day, well every weekday. Our only home computer died the same week I started the blog, I had no choice but to blog at work, thank god it was a company sanctioned activity (of course I don’t think they realized just how much time I spent doing it!). I had no goals in mind for danger garden when I began writing, and as I’ve mentioned previously I was pretty sure I’d run out of topics to cover in a month or two, yet 1,400 posts later and somehow I still haven’t come to the end.

Somewhere along the way posting 5 days a week became habit, something I just did. There’ve only been a handful of times I felt duty-bound to produce, feeling slightly overwhelmed and considering cutting back. Then that moment would pass, the ideas would start flowing and I’d be writing posts so far out I’d have to rein myself in.

But…

But the time has come I want to give myself that room, the room to not post 5-days a week, to challenge myself to do more, in other areas. Some of you have probably heard my ranting about bloggers who post sporadically (at best) and then don’t post anything for a week or two. When they return they write a couple hundred words apologizing for not “being there for the fans” and promise not ever to be gone so long again (which of course they are a week later). People it’s just a garden blog! Nobody needs to take themselves that seriously, and I’m not. Most of you probably won’t notice (or care) if I cut back to 4, or 3 times a week. But some of you would (I know I do when a regular blogger becomes not so regular) and I didn’t want to do so without telling you why. So there you have it.

Before I start the next five years I want to thank you all for the time you spend reading what I write. To those of you who take the time to comment, or email, a special thanks. It’s the conversations we have that makes this all so darn rewarding.

Now for the blogiversary present, we must have a present! I’m giving away a copy of Desert Gardens, by Gary Lyons. Mr. Lyons is the curator of the Desert Garden at The Huntington Botanical Gardens. The book features 18 public and private gardens in Southern California, including the Huntington, the Balboa Park Cactus Gardens in San Diego and the Moorten Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs. The photos are drool-worthy. If the book’s so great why am I giving it away? I received a second copy as a gift, Andrew was so excited to have found this book for me, but I’d purchased it myself just days before. The copy I’m giving away is used, with some signs of wear on the cover.

Here are the rules: comment answering one or all of the questions below (you'll get an entry for each answer), I will pick a random winner from all who comment, Facebook comments will be entered as well (although not from the same person). You must either include your email or a link to your blog/facebook page so I can contact you if you win. And, sadly, you must live in the continental U.S. for shipping purposes (unless you live outside the U.S. and happen to be coming to Portland this summer for the Garden Bloggers Fling). Winner will be announced on Monday the 17th. The questions:

1. What was your first “desert plant” purchase and is it still alive?
2. What is your favorite public garden and why?
3. How many times a week do you read danger garden?

Good luck!

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

73 comments:

  1. My first desert plant purchase was an Agave parryi 'J.C. Raulston' and it is still alive. I protected it this winter with a big cloche, which was just the right size for it to be protected without touching any of its arms. It lost a couple the first winter, but this winter it is pristine. I don't think I really have a favorite public garden, I haven't seen enough to choose. I read just about every post.

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  2. Happy Anniversary Loree!

    What can I say, your post made me a bit misty. Since I met you 3 years ago and realized I had the coolest neighbor in the world, its been a blast! Thank you for giving us all 5+ days a week of beauty, humor and great ideas. Your changes are well deserved!

    1) My first desert garden plant was a little Yucca that has been in the same pot for 9 years. (I just gave it to a friend :)
    2) My favorite public garden (so far) is Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
    3) I read Danger Garden 5 times a week. I'll miss my breakfast/Danger Garden combo!

    All the best to you, Loree, and thanks for all the fish!

    Bridget

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    1. And your reply made me a little emotional (ditto on the coolest neighbor thing), especially the part about the yucca!

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  3. Happy anniversary, Loree. 5 years and 1,400 posts is a huge accomplishment! I do read Danger Garden every weekday but I know how hard it can be to produce on schedule. No matter how many posts a week you write, I'll be here reading them all. I'm so happy we've become friends over the years, and I can't wait to hang out with you again during the Fling.

    And here is my contest entry:

    1. What was your first “desert plant” purchase and is it still alive?
    A: Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor'. Not only is it alive, it's produced dozens of pups that have gone to different homes.

    2. What is your favorite public garden and why?
    A: This is tough question because there are so many. For practical reasons I'd have to say the Ruth Bancroft Garden. It's the closest desert garden (less than an hour from here) and their climate is pretty much the same as ours so I know that if a plant thrives there, it's likely to thrive here.

    3. How many times a week do you read danger garden?
    A: 5 days a week.

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    1. Thanks Gerhard, and I too look forward to hanging out this summer during the Fling!

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  4. I appreciate the warning because yours is one of the blogs in my feed that I go directly to and I will miss the frequency but completely understand. Congratulations on 5 years of great content!

    - Corri

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    1. Thanks Corri, I won't be stepping back too much, just even giving up 1 a week now and then will be odd...

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  5. A WOW and a hardy congratulations is certainly in order. You were my initial inspiration, my first garden blog and for that I thank you :) You've followed your heart thus far and look where it's led you - amazing places inspiring countless people, many unknown to you. Keep going, the stars are the limit. Go girl! xoxo

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    1. Thanks Tamara, and I am so glad you started your blog! (and that we reconnected post-gallery world!)

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  6. Jeff Good EarthMarch 13, 2014

    I will be happy with whenever you post. I don't know how you made time for 5 times a week anyway especially in the growing season.
    afirst desert plant? Agave victoria-reginae, if flowered after 40 years and is now in Agave heaven/ no pups but i did buy a replacement
    favorite botanic garden? atlanta botanic garden, wide variety and it's reachable from here in east tennessee easily
    5 days a week of course!

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    1. The growing season has never been as rigorous as getting ready for a long vacation!

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  7. 1-My first desert plant (other than many houseplants) was an Opuntia. I bought it with my ex-husband at a nursery that went out of business but it had been where I'd spent a lot of time as a child with my mom. The plant currently looks horrible. Yesterday I retrieved it from where it has sat sideways in the dirt beside the house for several years. It had once represented a lot to me, but none of it happened, so now I'm trying to decide if I want to keep it around as I move forward. It is alive but is VERY ugly. I had to lop a lot of it off. How you deal with spiky plants is a mystery to me.
    2. My favorite public garden is The Huntington Botanical Gardens. Believe it or not it's because of their cacti etc. The first time I visited there in my 20s it blew me away.
    3. I read DG off and on. Now that I am working from home on my computer though it's become a nice thing to catch up on to clear my mind of food writing etc.

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    1. That opuntia has been through a lot, last I saw it it was sideways next to your house, looking a little discarded but understandably so.

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  8. Happy blogiversary, Loree! I have enjoyed your posts so much over the years and knew you were very regular about it, but I confess I had no idea that you posted 5 days a week. I tend to read my favorite blogs in bulk, saving up for a big reading day every week or two -- and I always have a LOT of catching up to do with your blog. Now I know why. Ha!

    The book prize looks great, so here are my entries:

    1. What was your first “desert plant” purchase and is it still alive?
    It's hard to remember the first one, as it was so long ago. Probably a 'Queen Victoria' agave purchased in 2000 or so, and yes, I still have it.

    2. What is your favorite public garden and why?
    I'm going to have to choose three: Chanticleer, for the incredible plant combos, humor, and creativity; Chicago Bot Garden, for the many different gardens, all so beautifully done; and The Bloedel, which was a near-spiritual experience for me.

    3. How many times a week do you read danger garden?
    Usually once or twice, or whenever I see a FB link that catches my eye; but then on my big catch-up day I read 8-10 of your posts all at once.

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    1. Thanks Pam, and as I'm sure you've heard a million times YOU were (and still are) a huge inspiration to me.

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  9. 1. Blue flame agaves -- that proceeded to get WAY to big for their original location. Yes, still alive, and moved back a bit from the sidewalk

    2. Sunnylands at the Anneburg center in the Palm Spring area. Every time I'm over there I make time to visit it, and every time it looks new to me and never fails to enchant. Plus its always buzzing with wildlife.

    3. Probably 4-5 times a week. You're on my list of websites for mental breaks during the workday.

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    1. Oh to live in a climate where Blue Flame would get too big!!! (I am jealous)

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  10. I love your blog! I check it everyday and was always delighted it was a new post. Occasionally I would check on the weekend then finally realized you posted regularly during the week/not the weekend. Love the photography and plant id's. Many thanks.

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    1. Just to keep you all guessing I will be posting this Saturday, after all it's Bloomday!!! (and thank you for the kind words)

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  11. Molly LittlejohnMarch 13, 2014

    Happy Anniversary Danger Gardener!

    Loree, I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog for years. Your informal writing style and beautiful pictures give my a happy garden break daily. I thank you for that.

    1. My first desert plant was Agave americana 'Variegata' and sadly it did not live out the first winter as I did not protect it from the weather. I still have not purchased another as a consequence for my terrible mothering of it.
    3. I read your lovely blog daily and sometimes reread them on the weekends when you don't post. I use it as a great reference when I'm looking up plants to get a good visual and a sense of how the plant(s) behaves in our climate.

    Thank you for blogging and sharing your garden with all of us.
    Molly

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    1. Oh Molly...you were one of the first ever "aren't you danger garden?" questions I received from a stranger, you made my day (as if the RPR sale wasn't already making me happy enough). Thank you for that!

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  12. You were the first person to comment on my blog. With that generous act you created a loyal follower of Danger Garden for life. At first, I took seriously the common advice that one must post on a regular schedule to be successful. Then I noticed that Scott was sporadic with his posts on Rhone Street Gardens and still had a large following. Well duh, the quality of the writing and the passion for the subject is what makes a blog compelling. As long as you keep writing, I will keep reading and commenting. With links on Facebook and use of a reader (I use Bloglovin) I will always know when that happens...so more power to you.
    My first desert plant purchase was Agave neomexicana. I even created a berm devoted to emulating your spiky splendor. Despite my best efforts, I have killed that and many subsequent purchases. The pup you gave me survives in a pot on the window sill and is almost ready to graduate to a larger pot. Yuccas have proved their mettle, so I haven't given up on the spiky berm.
    There are so many wonderful display gardens that feature plants we can easily grow, but the Huntington desert garden blew my socks off (possibly by its very strangeness) and remains my favorite. If that sounds like pandering, so be it.

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    1. Aren't blog readers great? I think back to the days I used to check each blog to see if there were updates, not a good way to do it! And yuccas, what would we do without them?

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  13. Congratulations on 5 years! I don't blame you for slacking off a bit; 5x per week is a lot. My favorite public gardens:
    1. Texas Discovery Gardens, Dallas. A little scruffy, but their total dedication to ecologically sound gardening is (almost) unique. Plus, their plant sale is killer.
    2. LBJ Wildflower center, Austin. Same comments as #1, not scruffy at all, but not in my neighborhood.
    3. Desert Garden, Huntington Gardens, San Marino, Cal. I visit whenever I'm out in SoCal. The world's best.

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    1. I'm a slacker now eh? So be it. I love all these new public gardens I'm learning about...oh to be able to visit them all!

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  14. Congratulations Loree! I'll always check your blog no matter how many times you write. My front yard was a blank slate when my wife and I bought the place, and it's character and evolution is often inspired by your blog.
    1. My fist two desert plants were 2 Agave parryi truncatas. The cold took them down in December. I now have a bracteosa on your recommendation that I hope lives a long time.
    2. My favorite public garden is actually the Kennedy School! Cool plants outside and in the courtyard, and beer!
    3. I read dangergarden at least 5 days a week. If I wasn't in nursing school it would be every day.
    Jim N. Tabor.

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    1. Jim, will we ever meet? I pray your A. bracteosa lives a long and happy life...glad to hear you enjoy the KS too...

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  15. My first desert plant was a small Opuntia subulata monstrose. I loved the red tips and charming shape. Then a houseguest's stinky obnoxious dog ate it. I'm 99% sure it got eaten. (I've since replaced it)

    My favorite public garden is probably the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley, where I am a member. It might be one of the most consistently delightful and surprising places in the world.

    I read Danger Garden almost every day, as part of my "let's check the plant blogs" routine. Congrats on 5 years!

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    1. Yikes! Eaten?

      I've only been to the UC Berkeley Garden once, I think (fingers crossed) I might get to go again this year!

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  16. Happy Blogaversary! I'm with Bridget, a little misty as I read this. DG was the first garden blog that I started reading and, as you know, was the inspiration for my own blog. I will miss our daily "visits" but also knew that you'd probably cut down on your number of posts at some point. I'm glad that you'll be able to enjoy some extra time and look forward to hearing about your new adventures. Whatever you do will, no doubt, be stellar!
    My first desert plant was a beaucarnea recurvata (pony tail palm) in a 4" pot that I got when I was in jr. high school. About 13 years ago, it became too tall for our 12 foot ceilings. I tried finding it a home but nobody wanted such a large plant. (Before Craigslist and facebook) I hauled it outside (required a hand truck) for one last summer where it had a glorious time and became even taller. It never came in again. My first agave and opuntia came from someone named Loree.
    Although I've not seen it in person, The Huntington would be my favorite because it presents cacti and other desert plants so beautifully. The thought that a desert garden could appear lush was new to me.
    I read DG Daily.

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    1. I'm not going to go to only a couple of days a week, I'll still be posting a lot, I can't stop! I just might not hit the 5x mark always. Thank you for the vote of confidence, and I really do hope you get to visit the Huntington Gardens sometime soon...

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  17. Happy Blogiversary! I want to thank you for your time commitment to your blog. It has been one of my most favorite things to read. I will miss the daily postings, but totally understand why you might need to cut back. I have spent a lot of time going back and reading every posting from the beginning on the slowest computer in the world, and it was well worth it! I think one of my favorite series that you have written is WWTT. While I wouldn't ever want to be featured in that post, it was entertaining to read. I also really like your neighborhood walks, and your visits to gardens and nurseries. Your interaction with your commenters is also a big draw, but must take a lot of time, too.
    You have singlehandedly given me an appreciation for spiky plants. I am now the proud owner of a few agave and cacti, having never before seen the beauty of a plant that bites back.
    Keep up the good work, and try not to cut back too much!
    And now answers to your questions:
    1. Is a Jade plant from the desert? I killed it with kindness (and too much water) years ago.
    2. Como Park Conservatory. St. Paul, MN. I grew up near there. Beautiful old building with many cool plants. Went back to MN last summer, and it was on the "must do" list.
    3. Every day. I sometimes reread the post from the day before, because then I catch all the comments and the responses.

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    1. Thank you SuePip for commenting, it's wonderful to hear from "new" readers! I try not to be too mean in my WWTT posts, but I'm always on the look out for new ones. And yes, the interaction is definitely time consuming but such a fun and important part of blogging I can't imagine cutting back in it. (jade plant totally counts!)

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  18. Happy Happy Blog-Anniversary and my goodness you are a dedicated writer! I have so enjoyed reading your blog and having my own little plant world opened to new idea's and possibilities I would likely never have considered. You are truly a gem.

    1) I have never purchased a desert plant. I inherited a Yucca and despite my attempts to remove it from my cottage gardens, it continues to come back!
    2) I don't have a favorite public garden, yet. I just can't pick one.
    3) 2 - 3 times a week I catch up on reading all of my favorite bloggers, including DG!

    I am wishing you the very best as you diversify your endeavors. You are a delight to know and read. Cheers!

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    1. Ah thanks Jenni, guess I'm going to have to find an agave pup to gift you...soon...

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  19. I totally agree - I have been blogging for 9 years and I aim for a couple of posts a week (more in the growing season and less in the winter). I would rather write about something that is exciting to me than roll out the ole 'things to do this month'. Besides I find that my archive is just as important as new posts. Most new people find me because they searched for how to do ... and I blogged about that in 2006. The book looks great but I don't have any spiky plants yet so I'll leave it for someone else to enjoy. Best wishes.

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    1. 9 years!!! You are one of the originals. Good to remember the archives, that's important. I do wish more of the people visiting the old posts would comment though.

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  20. Happy anniversary! This may sound funny and don't take it the wrong way, but based on the number of "I was walking around Portland..." posts you did/do, I just assumed that you didn't have a day job. This also made it easier for me when viewing your perfect garden and impeccable home decor -- of course your mantel could look so perfect, because you have nothing but time to devote to getting it right. Now I'm forced to admit my own shortcomings. :)

    I politely decline entry in the giveaway -- I'd rather see the book go to somebody who could grow those plants, and want to save myself the envy.

    1. no comment
    2. Missouri Botanical Garden of course!
    3. every post!

    p.s. I sometimes thought you had already skipped a week or two, then realized that it was just an intermittent problem with your feed. Still happens sometimes.

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    1. I'm not taking it the wrong way and I completely understand. Actually I was laid-off from the day job (architecture was pretty hard hit in the recession, since I was doing marketing I lasted longer than many) and haven't had a 9-5 for a few years. However since I have several pt jobs (not all of them pay, but they do take time) and run the house 100% (you'd be amazed how much time all of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, appointment setting and organizing, car care, home upkeep appointments, etc, etc take) I am VERY taxed, time-wise. That said I've never been happier and wouldn't change it. The walking posts are often done as a result of being the one who walks the dog 3x a day, or walking with the husband for fun and exercise on the weekends. You asked me once, a couple of years ago how I had time to read and do book reviews...THAT is something I'm looking forward to doing more of, reading. I've got such an excellent stash of books that I really need to delve into.

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  21. o_lucky_1@yahoo.comMarch 13, 2014

    My first desert plant, as a child, was a cactus...no idea of what kind it was. It didn't live long...I'm sure I loved/watered it too often.
    Sadly I've never been to any public garden.
    You blog email has been my favorite since the day I discovered it and I have read them all....love the pictures.

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    1. Thank you for commenting "lucky 1"...no doubt many a cactus has fallen at the hands of a well-meaning child gardener.

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  22. Loree!!! I can´t believe it is 5 years already!! I remember first reading your blog and you posting about your recent purchase: Melianthus major. I don´t know what year that was.
    I was going to comment this although I knew the book was not going to be sent to Spain, as the important thing is to say that I understand why you are proud of this blog, it is an incredible blog!! full of new awesome plants and beautiful gardens (of course yours is one of them). It is also fun with your comments and your point of view.
    I must confess it is a bit hard for me to read and comment all your posts and the posts of other american blogs...you guys work really hard writing and posting so often!! But I read every post, even if I have to do it some days later.

    After this long speech, I´ll answer the questions:
    1. My first desert plant purchase was a lithops...poor thing...it died...:(
    2. I don´t have a favorite public garden. But I´ve seen some candidates in blogs.
    3. I try to read every post every day, but some weeks I´m not able to do it and I read one or two days more than one post.

    Happy Anniversary!!

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    1. Oh gosh that had to be early on as I've had the melianthus for awhile now. I was just out looking at it yesterday hoping to see signs of growth and, luckily, I did! It survived the winter. Aren't you still planning to come to Portland for the Fling? You can get the book then if you win...

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    2. I´m not sure if mine survived the winter, last time I saw it, it was brown...
      Yes! I´m planning to go!! :)

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  23. I love you posts! Happy Anniversary : )
    My first cati that is still living after 20+ years is a Column Cati - Cereus peruvianus. It was 8" and now is 8' I moved it from San Diego to Houston and it is still growing and has beautiful flowers each spring.
    It is hard to chose but I would say Wisley test Garden...when i get to fly to UK I go their straight from Gatewick and have a nice walk!
    I really only have time to really look at your pictures and blog about 2 or 3 times a week.
    Cheers!

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    1. 20+ years is a long time to be with a plant, good job!

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  24. Happy Blogiversary! While I will miss your daily posts which have been fun to read I did wonder how long you would keep up that schedule. With readers and all the link tools we have it will be easy to find your posts whenever they pop up.

    1. I'll go with the first plant I planted in the desert which was a lemon tree in Southern California and it was still there when we sold the house more than 20 years later.
    2. The San Antonio River Walk which traverses more than 15 miles through the city while covering most of our microclimates is my favorite public garden.
    3. I read every post since I started following you and I have gone back to read many of those I missed. I don't read every day though so sometimes I read two or three at a time to catch up.

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    1. Thanks Shirley, and I'm sure there will still be plenty of weeks where I post 5x, after all habits are hard to break!

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  25. I too was afraid you might cut back some day – it was too good to be true for too long. Your blog is part of my easing-into-work every morning. It's always nice to get a plant fix before you start your day. My rambling answers:
    1. If succulents count, then they were my first purchase and they are still alive. I have dozens of succulents, mostly acquired in Calif. and have they survived many winters in my garage. You inspired me to try spiky plants, but sad to say I'm not as successful as you. I'm down to a shark-skin type agave, A. bracteosa , A. bracteosa 'Monterrey Frost' , Yucca rostrata, Y. 'Color guard', and Y. gloriosa variegata. The losses are too numerous to mention.
    2. My favorite public gardens are the SF Botanical Garden and the Berkeley Botanical Garden. However, I haven't been to either in years.
    3. I'm a loyal fan and have read all of your blog posts; I enjoy catching up with your plant exploits every day.

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    1. I'll try not to leave you hanging on too many mornings Lisa.

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  26. Five glorious years :) Happy Blog Anniversary Loree and looking forward to reading more of your posts for many more years to come! We both read your blog the moment you post something new!

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    1. I've often wondered if you guys divide your blog reading/commenting activities. Like MWF is Mark and TT is Gaz...

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  27. Loree, thank for 5 years of dedicated blogging. I added you to my reading list shortly after I came across your site. I think at the time you were recovering from an accident evolving your foot or ankle and a back steps under reconstruction. I wish you at least 5 more years, but at whatever pace you deem appropriate.

    1. My first desert plant was a hardy Opuntia with spectacular orange flowers. It might be alive, but I don't know, as I gave it away. It was planted close to the sidewalk and I was afraid my son, who was at the time a toddler, and his friends could tumble off their trikes into it.
    2. I have to say my favorite botanical garden is the Norfolk Botanical Garden, because if I didn't I might lose my job.
    3. Between my son needing it for homework, and my wife using it for lesson plans, I usually sit down at the computer late in the week to catch up on my subscription list, and since I like your blog so much, plus it starts with an "A", it is one of the first I read.

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    1. Oh good memory about the ankle injury, I try not to think about that too much. And glad you didn't fall for my trick question about your favorite botanical garden!

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  28. Love your blog; photos are stellar and the text is marvelous.
    l. Hakea microcarpa: 9 yrs. old and still thriving in this PNW winter.
    2. Heronswood: Although closed most of the year since it sold in 2010, it is open about 2 times a yr. Blodel is a close 2nd. All time fav.: Dunedin Botanical Gardens in NZ (So. Island).
    3. First thing in the morning; weather check, stock quotes and then Danger Garden - love it!

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    1. Right after the stock quotes? That seems like a place of honor! I've only been to Blodel once, perhaps I need to return.

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  29. Happy blogiversary! I can't believe you've posted 5 days a week for the last 5 years! That's amazing! I thoroughly enjoy your writing and pictures and read your new posts as soon as they appear in my inbox, though it sometimes takes me a couple days to respond (like my favorite plant this week, coming tomorrow!). You're one of my main inspirations for starting my own blog and I thank you so much for that and the friendship you've given me. I can understand needing to cut back a little. Ironically I want to get into the habit of posting more, as it energizes me and gives me something to enjoy and create (instead of zoning out in front of the TV after work) but my timing is terrible. Between work, applying to grad school, and my imminent move, I just haven't had the energy or motivation to write more (that and I've shipped about half of my garden back home, which limits my subjects). But a blog shouldn't be something that adds stress because you feel obligated to give your fans new content. It should be an outlet to express yourself and share what you want. Basically, I'll miss my daily dose of Danger, but I'll enjoy your more rarefied posts all the more. I may have to fill the new spaces with a few more blogs, though, or maybe even writing more for my own (there's a crazy idea). Thank you, Loree, for sharing your wonderful blog with us, and I look forward to the next 5 years!

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    1. Blogging is definitely a better activity than TV and I whole-heartedly support your increased posting! Also no worries, I'm not cutting back that much!

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  30. Congratulations on your anniversary! I've been reading you steadily for four years, but I went back and read the first year. Danger Garden is my favorite garden blog. And I applaud your efforts and support you taking more time for yourself. But, I do hope that there is a book involved with this decision.
    1. A plant crazy friend from Arizona gave me cuttings from all of her plants thirteen years ago. And I grew them inside during the winter and moved them outdoors during the summer. I had a collection of over a hundred plants. But, then I fell in love with edibles and gave them all away to good homes. Love is like that sometimes.
    2. Huntington knocked my socks off.
    3. I read you Monday morning and then sporadically through the week. it's fun to read a couple of posts together. Gosh, I hope that you are busy writing a book!

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    1. Sorry to disappoint you, no book in the works. I hadn't even thought about people thinking that's what I'm up to! Nothing that exciting I'm afraid - in fact no one thing.

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  31. A very happy blog anniversary, Loree! Yours is one of the first blogs I began reading religiously, well before I created my own. I entirely understand the need to limit the number of your weekly posts and will continue to look forward to every one you publish.

    1. You could argue that half the plants that survive in SoCal are desert plants but the first venture into drought-tolerant succulents I remember was Aeonium 'Kiwi,' planted at least 20 years ago My little 'Kiwi' colony was alive and thriving when we moved out of our former house 3 years ago but I can't say whether its still there.
    2. My favorite public garden is the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, although I haven't been there in several years now. It's a real garden, not a Disneyland-type construction.
    3. I seldom miss one of your posts, even if I don't always get to it until evening.

    Best wishes with the next 5 years!

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    1. I've been to the Santa Barbara BG, and really enjoyed it!

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  32. I am so amazed that you've kept up such a regular posting schedule and it never seems like you're phoning it in. Your blog has inspired my garden so much and I can't imagine gardening without pokey plants now. I think my first desert purchase was my Dasylirion texanum, my favorite public garden is the Botanical Garden on the big island of Hawaii and I read you every day, though sometimes I binge like Pam on the weekends! Huge cheers to you!

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    1. Thanks Heather, especially the "not phoning it in" part!

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  33. I can't enter, but I'm letting you know anyway that I read every post. Maybe not every day, but I will track them down and binge if I've been too busy. 5 days a week for 5 years is a huge accomplishment. Your blog is by far my favourite garden blog. Enjoy taking a break every now and then :)

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    1. I love all this binge reading people are admitting to, it makes me feel so worthy!

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  34. I've only discovered your blog recently but I've enjoyed reading it. Congratulations on blogging so long and so regularly. If I make it to 5 years with my own blog it will be a miracle!

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    1. Thanks John, glad to have discovered yours too. Although all that palm misery is a little disturbing.

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  35. The shape of my weekday morning read is definitely going to change now, but I have to admit I'm glad you''re announcing a slow-down and not a total flaming burn-out. Congrats on the anniversary, Loree.

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  36. Happy Anniversary, Loree!!!! I seem to be arriving late to the party these days. <3

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