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Joan Ambu

Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

A Delayed Spring

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read639 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!

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Snowfall Winter Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Weather Nature High Desert

Wet & Cold Winter

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read694 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.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Home Decor Gardening

Beautiful Garden Statues

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.4K 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!

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Winter Holidays Gratitude

Goodbye 2022!

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read753 views

“Be a reflection of what you’d like to receive. If you want love, give love. If you want truth, be truthful. What you give out will always return.” ― Kristen Butler

Today is the last day of 2022 and it has been quite a year.
The year 2022 was enlightening for me as I was finally able to remove hindrances from my life and make the best decisions for myself. As with every situation, I learned invaluable lessons.

Mother Nature has been good to us this year. For many years we have prayed for rain to end the California drought and she heard us. It has been raining quite a lot lately and we are very thankful.

Thank you to my faithful readers and my well wishers: for taking the time to read my stories, for your encouraging words, gifts, prayers, support, and kindness. Most importantly, I am grateful for your feedback (especially when my opinion differs from yours). Thank you for the joy and excitement you expressed as I embark on a new chapter of my life. You’ve all been an inspiration.

It has been a rough and tough year for many. I pray for better days ahead.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2023.

Image Source: DreamsTime.com.
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JM Perez By JM Perez
Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Cloudburst

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read709 views

The High Desert weather will never cease to surprise me.

Last month for instance, it rained lightly in some parts of Victorville, CA, and not a drop of rain in adjacent cities. An unexpected cloudburst on Sunday afternoon left some areas in the High Desert flooded with just an hour of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Sunday’s Cloudburst.

My miniature hybrid ‘French Lace’ rose, with their delicate ivory buds and slight apricot tint is still producing pink roses.  From my research, it turns out that the one I purchased over ten years ago was grafted onto a vigorous rootstock and canes from this rootstock are now overtaking the hybrid grafted onto it (pink roses).  To save my ‘French Lace” roses, I will have to locate the graft and then remove any canes or suckers developing at the base so they do not take over.

Miniature Rose ‘French Lace’.
Grafted Bareroot Rose.
Image Source: Jackson & Perkins.

Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’ is putting out beautiful flowers.

Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’.

Last night as well, we had an unexpected cloudburst. The short and severe storm brought thunder, heavy rain and lightning. Every raindrop is always welcomed in California, as we find ourselves heading into a severe drought.

Happy Gardening!

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JM Perez By JM Perez