A few more Glads are blooming in my garden this morning and they are utterly charming. I have more coming on though I am not sure they will bloom at the same time.
For the first time in two years, I decided to collect Gladiolus seeds. As the seed pods matured and turned brown, I cut the dry tall stalks, cracked open the seed pods and collected the seeds which I put in a plastic bag and placed in a cool area. I don’t know if the seeds are viable or if they will germinate; I will find out next Spring.
Gladiolus Seed Pods & Seeds (‘Super Star’).
I will be sharing more pictures as soon as the other Glads bloom.
Late on Tuesday afternoon I found one of three baby birds on the ground in the backyard. My first thought was that the baby bird has fallen out of its nest; however, given the amount of feathers and noticing that both parents were keeping an eye from a close distance (probably teaching the baby to fly on its own). I came to the conclusion that the baby bird was simply attempting to fly. As soon as I gently picked it up to place it back into the cozy nest, the baby bird jumped back on the ground flapping its wings and hopping around. At that point I decided to leave it alone and allow Nature to follow its course.
As the evening got windier I decided to check up on the baby bird and realized that all three young birds fad fallen off the nest. I carefully picked them up, one at a time, and placed all three back on the nest and left them there. Came next morning, and all three baby birds were gone.
Baby Birds attempting to fly on their own.
This evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset while having an awesome time outdoors. Come to think about it, it might be the third or fourth sunset I have seen since the start of the year.
American Flag at Sunset.
I am very thankful for a lovely day with my Family.
Living in the High Desert can be so unpredictable for a new comer and overwhelming for a Gardener (you can read about it here). I still remember how frustrated I used to be the first year of being here. Being indecisive about which plants to buy, having to deal with Gophers and Rabbits and worst, spending so much money to replace damaged/dead plants. Once I was able to figure out my actual USDA Plant Hardiness Zone as well as which plants prefer cold weather as opposed to warm weather; I began choosing a variety of drought tolerant plants that I love, which are easy to care for and which will complement my garden.
What I did in the past (and to which I am still open) was exchange plant seeds, cuttings with neighbors, offer to take plants they no longer wanted and vice versa. When visiting local nurseries, I first stop at the clearance section where most plants on the shelves are 50% off or less. About two and a half years ago I bought a 2 Gallon Potted Rose Bush and discovered a tiny plant growing next to it. At first I thought it was a Rose sucker, but it turned out to be a semi-climbing ‘John Cabot’ Rose. Since the Rose isn’t a true climber, I have been using plant twists to attach the upright stems to the trellis for support and it’s been thriving ever since.
‘John Cabot’ Rose (May 2011).
Since my little discovery, I have been looking at the base of my self-seeding plants for new shoots or growth from seeds. Two weeks ago I found tiny Gaura Lindheimeri growing amongst my Daylilies from dispersed seeds. I carefully pulled out the young and tender plants which I moved to a more desirable location.
Bird of Paradise Bush seedlings.
Early this morning I was pleasantly surprised to find two Bird of Paradise Bush seedlings underneath the main Plant.
Pendula Yucca.
Above is my Pendula Yucca propagating from rhizomes. I have had the plant for three and a half years. I transplanted my first sprout almost two years ago and the second one last month (both from the same Mother plant). Click here to learn more about Yucca Species Propagation.
If you are interested in Self Seeding Plants, here is a list for you (again, always check for plant toxicity):
Today has been a busy day for us and quite rewarding too.
While visiting Linda Marie’s Enchanted Treasures yesterday, I spotted a gorgeous set of Terracotta Pots/Planters which I ended up purchasing (amongst other things). Beautiful hand made clay pots with a flat back to rest neatly against a wall or fence. Each wall pot has two holes in the back for hanging and one more at the base for draining. They are a wonderful choice for growing trailing plants, but I am sure they would look as lovely just the way they are without any greenery in them. The simple green bow accent add charm to the Planters.
Terracotta Wall Pot Planters.Terracotta Wall Pot Planters.
Before the sun set down yesterday, we installed and buried the last section of drip system needed for the new additions to the backyard. Plants do well on a timed watering schedule as opposed to manual watering (since it can vary on the individual’s personal schedule). Now that this project has been completed, we will move on to other partially started projects on the list. Cutting down the Sweet Almond Tree doesn’t sound bad, either.
Ground Squirrel standing on its hind legs.
I have come to love the Sweet Almond Tree growing in one corner of my front yard. I love the sight of its bareness in the Fall after all the leaves have fallen. I love watching those tiny bud formations turn into delicate white and pink flowers as early as late Winter. Thanks to a few reluctant ground Squirrels, we will cut down the tree. Fencing the backyard and securing openings around the wooden fence are not enough to keep them away from the tree. The depth and amount of holes they dig on a consistent basis is overwhelming to say the least. As much as it hurts me to part with the tree, I know I will gain peace of mind and more time to invest in the Family.
On a much happier note, I did some gardening today. Keeping the kids busy in the pool and getting my hands dirty (uninterrupted) put a smile on my face. To reduce the amount of Rose bushes I have in my front yard, I dug out a couple which I transplanted to an ideal location in the backyard. Last month I relocated a couple and they are thriving in their new location. As you know, Roses are one of the toughest plants around and with proper preparation, your chances for a successful transplant will be high regardless of the time of year (learn more).
I am so grateful for my huge yard with its endless possibilities and opportunities. Living and Gardening in the High Desert is quite challenging and so rewarding. My gardening success is mainly attributed to choosing the right plants for my garden and more important, the right plants for my zone. I lovingly tend to them as I would with any other living thing. One of my goals is to surround my garden with a lot more Native Plants.
The weather is fresh and we have experienced cooler temperatures all weekend long, which is precisely what we need here in the High Desert. We had such a wonderful time outdoors earlier in the day.
We secured all the openings around the wooden fence to prevent the ground Squirrels from using them as entry and exit points to and from the front yard. We had a Twister in the backyard. Although it lasted just a few seconds, it brought so much debris from the empty lot at the back of our property into our yard.
My Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily ‘Birgi’ all in bloom. Such a delicate beauty.
By JM Perez
