For the most part, the weather has been steadily warming up. Of course, some days are as cold as winter days, but nothing serious as keeping us indoors. Trees have put out leaves, flowers are blooming, and critters are wreaking havoc in the gardens.
Pincushion Carnival Yellow is an interesting plant I saw at the nursery. I resisted the urge to purchase a few as they reminded me of Gopher plants, which are loved by Gophers. I have many yellow flowering plants in my gardens, and I think a different variety called ‘Flame Giant’ Nodding Pincushion (Leucospermum cordifolium ‘Flame Giant’) will complement the other plants and add color to the garden.
Pincushion Carnival Yellow.
My daughter’s Rose Mallow is blooming profusely.
Rose Mallow (Lavatera Trimestris Loveliness).
It has been a joy watching the Freesias.
White Freesia.
The ground cover roses weren’t doing well, so I moved them into planters, where they are thriving.
Ground Cover Rose.
The Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ have grown so much that they need their own container.
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ and Sedeveria.
When the weather outside is erratic, we can always count on plants to boost our mood.
The weather hasn’t changed much; it is still very cold here in California especially for this time of year.
The signs of Spring came a little late this year due to the erratic weather we’ve had for the past couple of months.The Daffodils, which are usually our first bloomers, didn’t make it out until the end of March. As the weather began to warm up, everything is coming in a rush and the gardens bursting into life with flowers.
Daffodil Replete.
Daffodil Replete, also know as Luscious Double Daffodil, are my latest perennials addition. Many years ago I planted Ice King Double Daffodils as well as Tazetta ‘Grand Primo’, which I ended up loosing the bulbs to gophers the next season. I hope we can enjoy the Replete for may more years to come.
Daffodil Replete.
The Purple Leaf Cherry Plum trees were the first trees to put out flowers and they were absolutely stunning with lush display of delicate flowers. We live in an extremely windy area, which means that we often lose flowers and flower petals almost as soon as they emerge.
If you are one of those individuals who enjoy spending time outdoors, then you surely agree that garden statuary and sculptures make great addition to a garden; they breathe new life into any outdoor space. I love beautiful sculptures. I have a few inside my home and a lot more in the garden.
What style are you aiming for? The zen garden, shabby chic, country feel, fairy garden, Alice In Wonderland, Prayer garden? What I like about garden sculptures is that they come in different size, form, shape, color, tone, texture, value, materials, etc.
The High Desert weather will never cease to surprise me.
Last month for instance, it rained lightly in some parts of Victorville, CA, and not a drop of rain in adjacent cities. An unexpected cloudburst on Sunday afternoon left some areas in the High Desert flooded with just an hour of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Sunday’s Cloudburst.
My miniature hybrid ‘French Lace’ rose, with their delicate ivory buds and slight apricot tint is still producing pink roses. From my research, it turns out that the one I purchased over ten years ago was grafted onto a vigorous rootstock and canes from this rootstock are now overtaking the hybrid grafted onto it (pink roses). To save my ‘French Lace” roses, I will have to locate the graft and then remove any canes or suckers developing at the base so they do not take over.
Miniature Rose ‘French Lace’.Grafted Bareroot Rose. Image Source: Jackson & Perkins.
Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’ is putting out beautiful flowers.
Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’.
Last night as well, we had an unexpected cloudburst. The short and severe storm brought thunder, heavy rain and lightning. Every raindrop is always welcomed in California, as we find ourselves heading into a severe drought.
“Gratitude for the turning of the seasons. May we attune our hearts to their enduring message of renewal.” — Kristin Granger
It’s a new month and a new season, renewing and refreshing …
Outdoor Fall Decor.
The weather has been bearable; however, between work and the kids, I haven’t had enough time to enjoy gardening. A couple of days ago, I dug out all of the Russian Sage in the front yard and disposed of them. I loved the plants, but they were spreading too fast and looking more like trees than shrubs. I have been wondering if it had something to do with the fact that they were in partial shade? Perhaps growing tall was the result of reaching out for more sunlight? The Russian Sage I planted in the backyard in full sun around the same time are growing at a normal rate.
Trees are starting to shed their leaves; the rose bushes and Texas Sage shrubs are full of blooms.
Texas Sage full of blooms.
Last week I spotted a strange looking insect, similar to the Desert Camel at a first glance, but looking like a cricket.
The Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatus Fuscus), also known as Potato Bug, Child of the Earth, Skull Cricket, Stone Cricket, and Sand Cricket is a large slow moving, six-legged flightless insect with a large orangish head, tiny eyes, and antennae spreading apart. It has humpback abdomen usually with black and yellow stripes. The insect is native to the western United States and Mexico, as well as semi-arid and dry climates. The insect feeds on smaller insects, decaying plants, and vegetation. They communicate through vibrations by producing a hissing noise due to the absence of ears.
It is said that the insect is not poisonous but can bite when provoked, resulting in moderate, short-lived pain (sores and skin rash). Their sharp and strong jaws can cut through fabrics and thin plastic. They are most active at night and during the day they burrows beneath rocks, logs, or in sand. According to ocvector.org, in order to find a mate, adults strike their abdomen on the ground (this behavior is called drumming). The vibrations travel through soil and are used to locate each other.
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By JM Perez
