The weather has been really warm lately in the High Desert. We are still in Spring, yet it often feels like Summer. I wake every day feeling grateful for the weather because I know in some States and Countries it is raining and/or still snowing. Yesterday I captured the moon as it was still up in the sky prior to driving my son to school.
Moon in Daylight.
A few of my miniature Hybrid Roses are blooming.
Sedona Hybrid Tea Mini Hybrid Rose.
A few of my Sunblest Hybrid Tea Rose flowers are starting to produce rose buds within the rose flower. I read somewhere that this phenomenon is called proliferation and is usually caused by pollinating insects and or temperature change. According to the website HuntingtonBotanical.org, proliferation is not a disease but caused when the apical cells are multiplying so fast that they do not stop dividing when a flower is produced, but they keep on dividing and produce a cluster of new buds in the center of the earlier flower.
Rose Buds Within a Rose.
We’ve caught a glimpse of Squirrels attempting to access the Sweet Almond Tree in the front yard in search for food as well as Cottontail Rabbits in the empty lot behind our Home.
After nearly three days of rain, the High Desert is starting to see some sunshine and blue skies.
Mountains covered in Snow.Mountains covered in Snow.
I awoke this morning to a beautiful view of the Mountains, which were covered in snow. The soil on the other hand, is still damped from the excess humidity and moisture in the air. As I walk around the property, I am pleased that there are no damages to the plants and the structures. All the plants look a lot happier and healthier.
Flowering Photinia Fraseri.
A few of my Photinia Fraseri shrubs are already showcasing their small white flowers and red color of new growth. Fraser’s Photinia is a beautiful drought tolerant shrub that is great for hedges and privacy.
Coleonema Pulchrum (Pink Breath of Heaven).Coleonema Pulchrum (Golden Breath of Heaven).
My Coleonema Pulchrum“Pink Breath of Heaven” and “Golden Breath of Heaven” are covered with beautiful tiny delicate pale pink flowers and fragrant leaves. What I love most about this shrub is that it’s drought tolerance, wind tolerant, non-invasive, evergreen and has an aromatic fragrance when crushed. It blooms from late Winter through late Spring.
Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae (Thuja orientalis ‘Berkmans Golden’).
This time of year, the Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae in my backyard are looking lovely with their delicate and attractive golden foliage. I have a few of these disease free, hardy and drought tolerant evergreen shrubs with the tallest being on each side of the entryway to my enclosed Patio. The shrubs are starting to produce cones.
Wishing you a wonderful time in your Garden today!
It rained all day yesterday as the weather forecaster said it would. It was heavy, non-stop with periods of thunder.
As of now we still have light showers, hoping it will be quick to pass. The aftermath of heavy rain on some plants such as succulents can be devastating. Some species might recover when the sun comes out and others are a total loss. Rainstorms can also create a lot of work. On the other hand, rain waters plants for free and can help dislodge pests from plants naturally (in my case, Aphids on my roses).
The whole West Coast has been in need of rain and we got some. If you ask my opinion, I will reply “enough already with the rain!” For someone who enjoys spending her weekends outdoors, gardening and working on yard projects with my little helpers, I am stuck indoors. It turned out to be a good thing since I am able to catch up on my Reading, TV shows and enjoying my favorite cup of coffee.
Here are some shots I took while I was out and about in the morning rain.
Rainbow during the Rainstorm.
The partial single Rainbow above is of yesterday during the rainstorm. The Rainbow must have been visible for a good two to three minutes before rapidly disappearing in the clouds. It was a gloomy day.
Woodland Babies.
I absolutely adore my Woodland Babies, which was a Collections ETC. purchase from a few years ago.
Partial View of My Front Yard.Almond Flowers turning into Almond.
The Sweet Almond Tree is full of first leaves budding out.
I replaced the green set of Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair with a similar white set, this time including a matching side table. I love white furniture as they call attention, stand out against green foliage and colorful plants. They also enhance the yard, giving it a welcoming feel.
Navajo Globe Willow.
Our Navajo Globe Willow trees are leafing out. The one pictured above is one of two branches we grew from cuttings from a mature tree in Central California. Globe Willow makes a nice canopy tree, providing shade during the hot months. During Winter, their bare branches display beautiful silhouettes.
Unknown Type of Moss.
I found an unknown type of Moss growing at the base of a Heavenly Bamboo in the front yard.
If the rain ceases, I will be visiting a few nurseries this afternoon or tomorrow in search of Native plants for the Rain Garden I will be creating in my backyard.
It’s a beautiful day. The skies are clear, but the weather outside is deceitful. Baby, it’s cold outside! I am very thankful that we haven’t had our first Snowfall yet.
I suit up this morning to rake leaves in the backyard from last night’s wind. By the time everything was set and done, I could barely feel my fingers and toes. I took a few minutes to walk around the backyard and made a few interesting discoveries, some of which involve frozen water like the one from my Water Fountain. The larger Water Fountain is located in a sunny area so the Sun gets to melt the water.
Frozen Water.Water Fountain ‘The Village Maiden’.
After seeing that solid ice, I was grateful that we shut off the exterior water valve to the irrigation system a couple of weeks ago. I would have lost all my plants from frost otherwise.
Snowy Mountains.
On a much happier note, I will be taking my Son to the annual Christmas Program performed by Pre Kinder, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade as well as Mr. Flores’ class at Oak Hills High School. He has been so excited about it, since we didn’t attend last years’ due to bad weather.
This morning in the backyard I spotted a Mealworm, which is the larvae form of the Mealworm Beetle.
According to Wikipedia, Mealworms are useful for their high protein content. They are typically used as a pet food for captive reptiles, fish, and birds. They are also provided to wild birds in bird feeders, particularly during the nesting season and they are also used as fishing bait. The Mealworm beetle breeds prolifically.
Mealworm Larvae.
I saw this Metallic Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon Melliventris) at the base of my Bird of Paradise Bush.
According to Discoverlife.org, The male of this species has a bright metallic green head and thorax, and a yellow metasoma with narrow black bands. The female has a bright metallic green head and a honey-colored metasoma banded with short, dense, white hair.
Agapostemon Melliventris.
I also found a Pinacate Beetle, also known as the Stink Beetle, for its defensive tactic of standing on its head and squirting a noxious spray. I am seeing a lot more Beetles within my property compared to the previous years and I can’t help to wonder if there is an outbreak. They are everywhere and always pop out from nowhere.
Pinacate Beetle.
It has rained so much lately and today wasn’t any different to the exception that a beautiful rainbow came out, brightened the gloomy weather and added cheer to our day.
Grey Sky.Rainbow After The Rain.
I started raking leaves last week and today I decided to have some fun with the leaves before the wind picked up. I made a Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.
Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.
By JM Perez
