Strength Of The Small

Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

High Desert Drought Resistant Plants

By JM PerezMay 1, 20122 min read898 views

When my husband and I were looking to buy a house, we both agreed on a small backyard (less maintenance). However, we instantly fell in love with a smaller house our realtor showed us. Five years later, living in the High Desert of CA, we have never loved having a huge backyard more and enjoy a quieter lifestyle.

Of course, we have a lot of Weeds growing and we also have to deal with Gophers and Ground Squirrels, which can be quite overwhelming. Thankfully with patience, available tools, techniques and a willing mind – we turned it into a fun, relaxing, beautiful and inviting space.I have a few criteria before I purchase plants. They have to be evergreen or semi-evergreen; adaptable landscape plants and definitely have to withstand heat/dryness and cold-hardiness. Last but not least, appealing to the eyes.

Daylilies: Mid-season bloomer.

1. Pretty Woman Daylily – Soft pink flower.
2. Stella D’Oro Daylily.
3. Siloam David Kirchhoff Daylily – Purple, lavender flower.

Sword Lilies: Produces beautiful tall spikes with large flowers.

1. Gladiolus ‘Super Star’ 2. Gladiolus ‘Yellow’
3. Gladiolus ‘Fiorentina’ 4. Gladiolus ‘Peter Pears’

Rosebushes with beautiful blooms, colors and sweet scent.

Succulents:
1. Hen and Chicks 2. Aptenia Cordifolia 3. Echeveria, Pachyphytum

Succulent & Cactus: 1. Hen and Chicks 2. Pink Crown Cactus

Herbaceous Perennial & Shrub:

1. Red Autumn Sage – Drought resistant with long period of bloom.
2. Common Broom – Erect shrub with bright yellow flowers in spring and summer.
3. Lindheimer’s Beeblossom – Perennial with white flowers, light pink/pink.

Ornamental Grasses: Add charm to landscapes.

1. Purple Fountain Grass – Reddish leaves and colorful flowers.
2. Elijah Blue Fescue Grass – Remains blue throughout the year.

Asparagus Plumosus
Asparagus Fern Beautiful vine with wiry climbing stems (contain sharp thorns).

Pendula Yucca
Yucca Recurvifolia Beautiful evergreen specimen (clusters of white flowers).

Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’Produces purple trumpet-shape flowers in summer.

Crimson Glory Tea
Leptospermum Scoparium Evergreen shrub with deep-red flowers on needlelike foliage.

Lilium ‘Birgi’
Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily Produces beautiful deep pink flowers in Summer.

Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus Needlelike foliage with tiny thorns (can develop small red poisonous berries).

Noel’s Grevillea
Grevillea ‘Noellii’ Evergreen Shrub with long blooming pink & white flowers

Pink Agapanthus
Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’Grass-like foliage with strong garlic odor & lavender flowers.

Rosemary
Rosmarinus Officinalis Wonderful herb that makes a beautiful ornamental plant.

Daffodil
Narcissus Hardy and easy perennials to grow with attractive flowers.

Bird of Paradise Bush
Caesalpinia Gilliesii Evergreen shrub with large yellow birdlike flowers.

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By JM Perez

Parting Cutting Cords Inspire

Parting In Love

By JM PerezApril 12, 20122 min read854 views

Nothing is as hard as letting go. Remember your past relationships? Whether they were stagnant, unhealthy or abusive; letting go seemed impossible and painful. The fear of the unknown often discourages people to let go, even when they know that they are unhappy or worst, that there is nothing to hold on to.

Before I befriend someone, I must meet their heart, too. I don’t care much about the mind because the mind, as we all know is a strange element. The heart on the other side is not dark by nature; we train it to be. People will always come and go, but memories will live on.

"If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made." - William Shakespeare — *Parting Well Made. Image Source.*

Prior to letting go of a relation that no longer serves me, I pray for enlightenment and I let the person know about my decision. I thank him/her for having been part of my life, for all the good memories and wish him/her well before my last goodbye. Going this route reduces misunderstandings and prevents hearsay. Parting is never easy; but letting go of a relation that no longer serves you is the right thing to do. The extra weight of an unhealthy relation is damaging. Once you let go of such a weight you can then move on and no longer have the burden to worry about that person. Expressing truth with love is liberating. It’s like inhaling a deep breath of fresh air.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

You only have one life to live and you cannot reset time. Choose your relationships wisely. Be a good example to yourself and embrace life to the fullest.

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By JM Perez

Personal Quest Faith

Faith: A Personal Quest

By JM PerezMarch 30, 20122 min read692 views

Too often I have been asked about my beliefs and my answer remains unchanged: “I am a believer and I strongly believe in kindness, in everything good and true. I believe in my God, who has never left my side.”

A true Christian would educate, nurture, lend a hand or an ear; would council and be patient. True Christians should only judge others with love because we are all on a lifelong journey of discovery for truth and each one of us carries a personal sin. To the hypocrites the scripture commands, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV).

Belief in itself is not something we learn, but something we experience at a personal level. It’s like tutoring, a one-on-one experience that makes a difference and can be either good or bad. This is precisely why it’s so easy to judge others and hard to convert them. When you believe (or say you believe) you’re in; when you don’t, you’re out. Just like that.
Many things seem acceptable to people when they speak the same language. While some people lie their way into a circle, others get there righteously. It’s troubling to see how much some people sacrifice just to fit in.

I am not without fault. I am a child of the universe and I have a profound respect for all living things, especially for those I do not understand. My quest for my knowledge of the Word is endless. I am a conscious sinner. I always say a prayer before letting go of that which no longer serves me. Not only do I seek daily salvation from my Savior, but at the end of the day I am not ashamed to ask forgiveness from those I offended.

I have learned that the best way to avoid being caught up in this masquerade is to practice kindness and stay true to oneself.