For two and a half years we had a couple of Potato Vine growing in the front yard, alongside the arches. The plants were thriving until early last year when they died. We had quite a rough Winter and they didn’t survive the repeated freezes. We dug them out last Summer and replaced them with climbing Roses.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose (also know as The Sweetheart Rose and Climbing Mademoiselle Cécile Brünner Rose) were quite small when I purchased them and have doubled their size since then. I trained the main canes of my ‘John Cabot’ Rose to grow horizontally on a trellis to encourage the plant to put out more blooms and it is always full of flowers. I planted the Cecile Brunner Climbing Rosebushes on each side of a Vintage wrought Iron Arch set, a gorgeous decorative feature in my front yard, by the garden gate, leading to the backyard. These arches will support and showcase the plants.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose Flower.
During the coming days, I will begin training the Roses to grow horizontally on the arches, to create a beautiful and inviting gateway. The Rosebushes bloom profusely from mid-Spring until frost with fragrant light pink blossoms.
Click here, here or here to learn about Training Climbing Roses.
The Wind has calmed down, at least for today and we focused our energy on ridding the yard of weeds. We spent part of the afternoon in the backyard, finishing up some projects, starting new ones and tending to the plants. Our little helpers pitched in as much as they could, which was awesome.
I noticed a couple of flowering plants here and there including some California Poppies. The ones I received from a neighbor last year reseeded so much that I am finding them growing all over my property. I am not fond of having things popping all over the place, so I have been busy relocating most of them to create a neat garden. A few are blooming with orange and golden yellow flowers. I love their silky texture.
California Poppy Flower.California Poppy Flower.
While walking around in the yard, I spotted what seem to be either a young growing Almond tree or a young growing Apricot tree, still at its early stage of growth. In a few months, I will know for sure which tree it is since the sprouts of both are somewhat similar. I am guessing that the seeds were buried last year by Squirrels and now that they are sprouting the threat to their survival include rabbits and the same Squirrels, which may return to collect the seeds. We dug out the young plant, placed chicken wire at the base to protect the roots and we also enclosed the young plant with chicken wire to keep squirrels from getting to the plant.
Young Growing Tree.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that a broken root from a Rosebush I relocated early this year has emerged from the dirt with healthy new growth. I simply pulled out the loose root and buried it in the dirt – it reminds me of hope, new beginnings and strengthens my belief in the idea that nothing is really lost in the World.
Rosebush started from Roots.
Unbeknownst to us, one of our wonderful neighbors has been sick. My husband and I decided to do something for them, which is to rid their entire front yard of weeds; a process we started late this afternoon. We are glad we can assist them in such a time of need and we wish them a speedy recovery as we miss seeing them around.
It’s been a week rich in emotions and today was a good day.
Windy days have returned in the High Desert and thankfully for us, we are done with our Spring cleanup.
This afternoon we accomplished so much in the backyard. We planted and transplanted a few plants. We started weeding all over again since more weeds are actively and rapidly growing from the last rainfall.
I was delighted on Friday morning as I captured the moon as it was still up in the clear blue sky.
Click here to learn more about this occurrence.
Moon in Daylight.
I am loving the beautiful sight of our High Desert Mountains. From my backyard these mountains are southeast of us as opposed to the snowy mountains which are southwest. The view is lovely whichever way you look.
High Desert Mountains.
The first Tree Rose in the backyard to bloom.
Busy Bee Pollinating.Tree Rose.
The Dwarf Cup Flower are starting to produce beautiful purple, cup-shaped flowers.
Dwarf Cup Flower (Nierembergia Caerulea ‘Purple Robe’).
Coleonema Pulchrum“Pink Breath of Heaven” bursting with beautiful tiny pale pink flowers and fragrant leaves.
Coleonema Pulchrum (Pink Breath of Heaven).
Three years ago I purchased a Saucer Magnolia tree from Lowe’s, which I found in the plants clearance area. It flowered the following year and hasn’t since then. On Friday we relocated it to the backyard and it’s leafing out. I am confident that it was the right move to help the plant thrive and I am looking forward to see some gorgeous blooms in the up coming days, hopefully.
We finally parted with the huge bare root Ocotillo we’ve had for three years. It never rooted.
It’s the first day of Spring and a lovely day. I took pictures of a few lovelies blooming in the garden this morning. Some Freesias, which are said to symbolize innocence and friendship.
According to Teleflora.com, the 7th Wedding Anniversary Flower, Freesia, is a symbol of trust and fidelity. Freesia is an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness. Representing faithfulness through the seasons, it’s a traditional reminder of love’s honorable character.
For about a minute, I watched a pair of Crows perched on a wire share a moment of tenderness.
Crows in Love.
This first day of Spring wouldn’t have been complete without the sound of the Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker drilling holes in a utility pole. Click here or here to learn more about this bird.
“It’s Spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
― Mark Twain
From my Garden to yours: Happy Spring and Gardening!
As Winter ends, it gives way to Spring, the season of new beginnings and allergies.
With slightly warmer temperatures, the Earth awakes with plants starting to grow, leaf out and bloom. Animals come out of their winter hibernation and begin their activities and migratory birds return. As beautiful and rejuvenating as Spring season may be, it also comes with a price for allergy sufferers.
We have all been sick with the Common Cold for a week. It’s hard when everyone is sick at the same time, especially when kids are involved. Other than the raw, rough cough and painful sore throat from constantly coughing, we are now recovering and slowly regaining our appetite. If like us, you worry about your children coughing constantly, click here to learn about the types of Coughs you need to Worry About.
We couldn’t go outside for some fresh and cold air since we have a fruitless Mulberry Tree which produces pollen and catkins, wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers like us. With Mulberry trees all over the neighborhood and our High Desert winds which carries the pollen great distances, additional precautions must be used. Yesterday my husband cut off all the branches from the tree and we are still debating on a total removal of the tree trunk or not.
Male Mulberry Catkins and Leaves.
For as long as I can remember, I have not had any allergies problems until we moved to the High Desert seven years ago. Every Spring and Fall, I have a bad case of nasal allergies and approximately a year after settling in our Home, I started developing allergic symptoms from some fruits and vegetables. As of today I can no longer eat Avocado, Banana, Apple without experiencing serious itchiness in my mouth and around the face.
What can you do about Pollen and Allergies?
Keeping your yard free of weeds to eliminate the sources of pollen around you.
Stay inside during pollen production periods as well as on windy and smoggy days.
Soaking down the vegetation to prevent the pollen from remaining airborne.
Replace heating and air conditioning filters often.
Purchase a high efficiency Air Purifier to filter, trap and hopefully remove these allergens from the air.
Keep your windows and doors closed at all times.
Wear a facial mask when conducting any outdoor activity (during pollen production periods).
Shower, change clothes and wash hands when you are done with outdoor activities.
Use sunglasses or prescription glasses to protect eyes when outdoors.
Drink Tea to provide relief for nasal congestion and inhale steam to soothe sinuses (more information here).
Talk to your doctor as soon as you have concerns.
Below is a list of allergy causing Plants and Trees:
According to Northwest Sinus & Allergy Clinic, Mulberry trees are considered severe allergens with yellow flowers appearing in the Spring and bringing significant discomfort to those who are allergic to the pollen. Symptoms of mulberry allergy include Asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis and occur following contact with pollen from this tree.
My next move is to get tested to figure out which trees trigger my allergies and irritate my immune system. Since male trees shed highly allergenic pollen, I will check for male trees around my property (if any) and replace them with female trees which are pollen-free.
Click here and here for more information on allergy causing Plants.
By JM Perez
