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Joan Ambu

Scorching Weather & Beautiful Blooms

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read535 views

It’s a beautiful day out here in the High Desert.
I have not done much in the garden lately due to the scorching weather, but I go out early in the morning to make sure that all the potted plants are getting enough water. I am grateful they are still thriving.

I first discovered Allium Drumstick many years ago, when I was shopping for bulbs and couldn’t find the variety I liked. The came back year after year and I enjoyed them, until a couple of days ago, when I found the long stems on the ground. It turned out that a gopher ate the roots/bulbs.
I cut a few of the stems and placed them in a vintage vase.

Allium (Sphaerocephalon) Drumstick Stems in Vintage Vase.

Training, pruning and maintaining the Amethyst Falls Wisteria have been very rewarding. Our pergola is now partially covered in gorgeous lavender-purple flowers.

Amethyst Falls Wisteria.
Common Jasmine Vine.

There are many plants currently blooming around the gardens:

Rose Mallow (Lavatera Trimestris Loveliness).

The Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’ (Variegated Society Garlic) below is one of my oldest plants, and it’s still thriving after fourteen years.

Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’.

Lavender bushes are getting bigger.

Lavender Phenomenal.

Some succulents are blooming, such as the Pine Cone Cactus Flower, Corsican Stonecrop flower, and Sedum Morganianum (Donkey’s Tail).

Succulents bloom.

Many rose bushes and trees are in bloom:

Miniature Rose.
French Lace Rose.
Hybrid Tea Rose ‘Love & Peace’.
Hybrid Tea Rose Rio Samba.

After a year, the Nicotiana Glauca seedling has grown quite a bit.

Nicotiana Glauca (Tree Tobacco).

The steamy temperatures and high humidity have been harsh, especially for wildlife. I found a dead hummingbird as well as a few dead lizards. Ground squirrels and gophers have been active in the garden, damaging plants, sprinkler systems, and irrigation pipes.

I find so much joy in my garden. Spending time alone with Nature has always been healing and awakening.

Happy Gardening!

Plants are Wonderful Mood Boosters

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read641 views

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.

Happy gardening!

A Delayed Spring

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read701 views

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.

Purple Leaf Cherry Plum Blossoms.

As you can see, the trees are also leafing out.

Purple Leaf Cherry Plum Blossoms.

Happy Gardening and blessed Easter Sunday!

Wet & Cold Winter

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read740 views

The past months have been very cold here in California. We were so grateful December for the rainfall after such a very long period of dry weather. Since then, it has been cold, extremely cold. On Saturday and Sunday, we had our first heavy snowfall of the year. This morning as well, we had some light snowfall.

California is colder than usual at this time of year, and it appears that Mother Nature is done with us. Still, we are grateful for every bit of rain we get.

Backyard in a blanket of snow.

Plants and trees were covered in snow, and as a result, we had a few broken branches.

Plants covered icicles and snow.

Sculptures and yard decorations alike were covered in snow; it wasn’t until the following morning that we all stepped out to clear the driveway and let the kids build a snowman.

Sculptures & Decorations covered in Snow.

Indeed, snowfall makes everything it touches and covers look beautiful, and brightens  the World. The flip sides to this beauty can be quite damaging and devastating: road closure due to massive flooding, debris, cracks, fallen trees, fallen electric poles, mudslides, rockslides, erosion, etc.

As I anticipate the arrival of Spring, I wish everyone a warm and safe Winter.

Beautiful Garden Statues

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.5K views

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 following are a few of my favorites …

Muse with Harp by Carlo Bronti.
Source: Design Toscano.
Flora, Divine Patroness of Gardens by artist Carlo Bronti.
Source: Design Toscano.
Magdalene the Danish Milkmaid.
Source: Design Toscano.
Dione, the Divine Water Goddess.
Source: Design Toscano.
Ascending Angel.
Source: Design Toscano.
Tall “Evellyn”.
Source: Lesera.com.
Hebe, the Goddess of Youth by Bertel Thorwaldsen.
Source: Design Toscano.
St. Francis in Nature’s Sanctuary.
Source: Design Toscano.
Harmony at Ease.
Source: Design Toscano.
Angel of Patience by artist Candice Pennington.
Source: Design Toscano.
Reflection Reader by Candice Pennington.
Source: Design Toscano.
Jessie and Her Balloon.
Source: Design Toscano.
Little Girl Reading.
Source: Design Toscano.
Finishing the Eighteenth Hole.
Source: Design Toscano.
Back to Back Brother and Sister.
Source: Design Toscano.
Monteverde Angel by Giulio Monteverde.
Source: Design Toscano.
Striving for the Heavens by Evelyn Myers Hartley.
Source: Design Toscano.

PRAYING ANGELS

Divine Guidance by Candice Pennington.
Source: Design Toscano.
Quiet Countenance.
Source: Design Toscano.
Constance Conscience.
Source: Design Toscano.

GUARDIAN ANGELS

Kneeling Madonna & Child.
Source: Rosary.com.
Blessed Mother of the Heavens.
Source: Design Toscano.
The Risen Jesus Christ by Carlo Bronti.
Source: Design Toscano.
Guardian Angel Child’s Prayer.
Source: Design Toscano.
Queen of Angels, Guardian of Children by Salvatore Gallelli.
Source: Design Toscano.
Heaven’s Guardian Angel.
Source: Design Toscano.
Heaven Free Fall by Evelyn Myers Hartley.
Source: Design Toscano.
Garden Angel with Children.
Source: Shop.CatholicSupply.com.
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by Carlo Bronti.
Source: Design Toscano.

BIRDBATHS AND FEEDERS

Surrounded by the Wings of Love by Candice Pennington.
Source: Design Toscano.
Angel Bearing Gifts.
Source: Design Toscano.
Summertime Reflections Cherub.
Source: Design Toscano.
Angelique’s Garden Splash.
Source: Design Toscano.
Tranquil Guardian Angel.
Source: Design Toscano.

ZEN SCULPTURES

Thai Teppanom Beautiful Being.
Source: Design Toscano.
Serene Mira Bai.
Source: Design Toscano.
Guan Yin, Goddess of Compassion.
Source: Design Toscano.
Confucius.
Source: Design Toscano.
Meditating Shy Yogi of Bali.
Source: Design Toscano.
Rodin’s Thinker by Auguste Rodin.
Source: Design Toscano.
Buddha of the Grande Temple.
Source: Design Toscano.

Happy gardening!