Kier Holmes

California

Contributing Writer at Freelance

Writing appearing in Martha Stewart, Sunset Magazine, Gardenista, Sonoma Magazine, Marin Magazine, garden and science educator, and landscape designer.

Featured in: Favicon

gardenista.com Favicon

nationalgeographic.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

marthastewart.com Favicon

foodandwine.com Favicon

sunset.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

ediblecommunities.com Favicon

myjournalcourier.com Favicon

sonomamag.com + 9 more

Articles

Everything You Need to Know About the Blue-Flowered Groundcover

2 weeks ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Lithodora I once believed that true blue flowers were like unicorns of the garden world—until I discovered a slew of them, eventually stumbling upon the ultra-blue, evergreen, pollinator-friendly Lithodora. This easygoing groundcover was, of course, immediately added to my growing list of plants that fulfilled a color wish. The genus name, Lithodora, comes from the Greek word lythos, meaning stone, and dorea, meaning gift.
Cushion Bush - Scleranthus Biflorus Lime Lava 140mm

3 weeks ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Retailer: THE JUNGLE GROUP $4.99 USD at time of publicationBuy from THE JUNGLE GROUP Available Colors:Green Materials:Natural Description from THE JUNGLE GROUP This heavenly green moss look-a-like creates an instant dose of paradise, with the power to transport you around the World to a Zen rock garden.
Scleranthus Biflorus

3 weeks ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Retailer: Wildtech Nursery $4.25 USD at time of publicationBuy from Wildtech Nursery Available Colors:Green Materials:Natural Description from Wildtech Nursery Your plants are packed in heavy duty cartons and sent via Australia Post on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'

1 month ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Description from Denchfield Nursery Few plants offer the texture that ‘Soft Caress’ provides the shade garden. In early winter, bright-yellow flowers stand atop the slender, bamboo-like foliage like fingers of light. Perfect for an Asian garden or as a specimen. Height: 3′Spread: 3 – 4′Spacing: 4′Exposure: Full Shade (Up to 4 Hours) or Part Sun (4 to 6 Hours)Blooms: Winter(Visited 5 times, 1 visits today) You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
ORCA's Landscape Redesign of a House Designed by Cliff May Is the Epitome of Indoor-Outdoor Living

1 month ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

The core goal of all landscape designs by ORCA is to reconnect humans with nature by bringing together specific plants and sourcing raw materials. “By using underdone materials that are not pre-fabricated or refined, there is an honesty to the bench you are sitting on or the table you dine at. It allows us to see what was provided from the land, and appreciate the beauty that is native to the landscape we occupy,” explains founder Molly Sedlacek.
How to Make Hummingbird Nectar the Right Way

2 months ago | marthastewart.com | Madeline Buiano |Kier Holmes

Photo: Jeff R Clow / Getty Images Hummingbirds are spectacular to watch, but if you've been having a hard time attracting the birds to your backyard, there's one thing your landscape may be missing: hummingbird nectar. Due to their extremely high metabolism, hummingbirds have to visit hundreds of flowers a day. By making hummingbird nectar at home, you can help give these winged beauties the glucose energy they need to keep on humming.
How to Grow and Care for Scleranthus Biflorus

2 months ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Australian Astroturf, Scleranthus biflorus Some hear the word “astroturf,” and they recoil and roll their eyes. But rest assured, this is not what you think it is. Australian astroturf is a real, living plant, not plastic faux grass. And while its common name is admittedly not the most appealing, this verdant, charmingly squishy ground cover is—and worth searching out.
The Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Mar 13, 2025 | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

The humble hummingbird has always been a pollinator favorite among gardeners, but lately it’s been attracting more (and new) buzz. Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia, tells us she’s been seeing increased interest in drawing hummingbirds to the garden. “I’ve heard it called the next glamour animal—the one they most want to take a photo of, the one that stops them in their tracks when they encounter it in the garden,” she shares.
All About Mahonia Eurybracteata 'Soft Caress': A Growing Guide

Feb 27, 2025 | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ This year I promised myself that I would incorporate more plants that can multitask and require less work and stress. One such plant that I have added to my ever-expending must-have list is Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’. Trust me on this—you’ll soon be adding it to yours, too. Please keep reading to learn about this fantastically functional plant: Let’s start with the plant’s name.
The Best Heart-Shaped Plants to Give for Valentine's Day

Feb 14, 2025 | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Sure, you can be predictable and buy flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day, but there are better, more enduring, more sustainable options out there. This year, give your significant other a small plant that announces your love with heart-shaped leaves. (Or maybe just gift yourself one of these sweethearts and consider it self care). This trailing plant gifts delicate and petite green and silver heart-shaped leaves.