Joining the Propagator and other gardeners around the world for another Six. The weather here has blessed us with cooler temperatures and much needed rain, which has lingered on as snow at higher elevations in the surrounding mountains. And more rain has been predicted.
The garden has responded to the more favorable conditions, and everything looks a bit healthier than it did a week ago. In particular the various cane berries and blueberries are starting to look like they might survive long enough to bear fruit, which I attribute to recent watering efforts, rain, and an overdue but generous dose of acid mix fertilizer. Soon they will (hopefully) need to be tied up.
The borage, verbena, ajuga, strawberries, blueberries, ceanothus, and numerous bulbs continue to bloom, while the dogwood has come into full flower and promising buds have appeared on the yarrow and even one of the bearded irises clumsily transplanted to the verge this winter. Meanwhile, my planted out seedlings remain stunted and my hastily planted (and unmarked) root vegetables have declined to make an above ground appearance. Did I bury them too deep? Did I order them too far in advance and keep them stored for too long under less than ideal conditons before planting them out? I am disappointed, but not deterred.
1. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), grown from seed scattered on the verge last fall, are blooming prolifically. I appreciate the silken, almost neon orange of the flowers at a time of year when blues and purples are dominant in the garden.2. Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) is sending up a flower stalk for the first time this year. I believe this was originally planted in its current location around 2 years ago. While it has remained healthy, it has taken some time to get settled before putting on new growth or flowering. As it is situated mid-border, I am hoping that it will gain in fulness and stature this year and generally become a more imposing presence.3. Dogwood (Cornus florida) in full bloom, featuring newly acquired copper birdfeeder (found at local Humane Society thrift store). The countless delights of the dogwood have persuaded me to add more small trees to the garden, which exert a cooling influence in summer without shading out the lower growing perennials and provide much needed perches, where birds can rest and feed while keeping a watchful eye out for the all too plentiful feral cats. Specifically, I have planted a palo verde in one corner and will be adding a Western redbud (native) in another corner before the month is over.4. Grevillea juniperina in bloom, though the flowers are too small and sparse to make much of an impact yet. I was drawn to this plant by its needle-like leaves; nevertheless, I am looking forward to a point in the future when, if all goes well, this plant will be filling the space and covered in red blossoms.5. Another blooming Grevillea (Grevillea gaudichaudii). This one is prostrate, with very interesting leaf shape, and is planted under the dogwood. It seems to be growing rather quickly and generally thriving in this location. If it continues to do well, I plan to take cuttings and add it to the congregations of groundcovers in other areas of the garden.6. The large opuntia (grown from cutting) appears to be gradually resuming a more dignified, upright posture after its winter prostration. The other cells of the rusted metal planter could use some attention. I would like to see an abundance of spiky and cascading plants as well as flowering ones to add color. The small opuntia (a regrettable hardware store purchase) in the terra cotta pot on the top tier is really not doing well. Not only has it lost its blue color (for which it was selected in the first place), but it is covered in scabby looking spots. I am uncertain whether to attribute its decline to intolerance of winter weather conditions or its recent transplant from a spot at the back of a border where it taking up space without contributing anything positive aesthetically. Regardless, I have taken a couple of cuttings in anticipation of its immanent demise.
This cornus is amazing ! Very beautiful flowering and pretty shape of the tree. Have you ever eaten the fruits of your opuntia? The pads? I never tried.( too small to try )
You dogwood is amazing, what a wonderful burst of colour! I’m glad the rain has spurred everything on. Love the opuntia but also the rusty metal container, looks brilliant. I’m thinking (if I can find any room) to get a grevillea for my garden, brilliant plants. Have a great week.
Aah the cornus is a winner isn’t it! But I always have a soft spot for Californian Poppies. Such a great colour. The grevillea sounds interesting, not one that I know so I will investigate.
The dogwood does steal the show this week, it looks especially good against the coppery-purple background of the tree on the boundary (purple beech?). Glad you got some rain, it’s so nice to see the plants perk up after it. Good idea to plant more trees for all the reasons you give. And I will be sowing some California poppies for the first time this year after being given some seed, hope they look as good as yours.
Fabulous Cornus but it’s the Grevilleas I’m more drawn to, temptation wise. They tend to grow a bit too lush here, at the expense of flower, unless in really dry and sunny conditions. I’ve seen lots of superb varieties in Australia, all they have to worry about is them getting shredded by parrots and lorikeets.
I am grouping some of the cacti together, but they are also distrubuted theoughout the garden. And soon, if all goes according to plan, I will at long last be adding some chollas to their number.
I love the dogwood, the blossom is very pretty. Is the Opuntia a prickly pear? I don’t really know this plant. Is it faster growing than cactus?
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Yes, I believe prickly pear is the common name for some opuntias. They do seem to grow a lot faster than other cactus in my limited experience.
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The Cornus is a delightful shape and what a pretty sight too.
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I have been working on shaping it a bit, as one side was rudely hacked off at some point in the past.
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Wow to the Cornus – beautiful. I love California poppies. I sowed some years ago and they’ve self seeded ever since.
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Yes, I hope they will continue to spread around in the verge area and fill in the gaps between other perennials.
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This cornus is amazing ! Very beautiful flowering and pretty shape of the tree. Have you ever eaten the fruits of your opuntia? The pads? I never tried.( too small to try )
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I am reluctant to handle the opuntia any more than I have to, but I would like to try cooking with my spineless opuntia, if I could get it to grow.
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You need good gloves, courage, but above all a cactus that grows faster because here it isn’t hot enough in summer to have fast growth.
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You dogwood is amazing, what a wonderful burst of colour! I’m glad the rain has spurred everything on. Love the opuntia but also the rusty metal container, looks brilliant. I’m thinking (if I can find any room) to get a grevillea for my garden, brilliant plants. Have a great week.
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Thank you. The rusty metal bits were here when we bought the house – I moved and stacked them (with help) to create the current planter.
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Aah the cornus is a winner isn’t it! But I always have a soft spot for Californian Poppies. Such a great colour. The grevillea sounds interesting, not one that I know so I will investigate.
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Grevillea is new to me, too. I believe they’re from Australia. So far, they seem to be doing well in our growing conditions.
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The dogwood does steal the show this week, it looks especially good against the coppery-purple background of the tree on the boundary (purple beech?). Glad you got some rain, it’s so nice to see the plants perk up after it. Good idea to plant more trees for all the reasons you give. And I will be sowing some California poppies for the first time this year after being given some seed, hope they look as good as yours.
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Yes, the rain has been a huge relief. The purplish foliage belongs to an ornamental plum of some kind.
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Fabulous Cornus but it’s the Grevilleas I’m more drawn to, temptation wise. They tend to grow a bit too lush here, at the expense of flower, unless in really dry and sunny conditions. I’ve seen lots of superb varieties in Australia, all they have to worry about is them getting shredded by parrots and lorikeets.
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Are you grouping the cacti together? The Dogwood is beautiful, is it a grafted cultivar? Love the poppies in the hell strip! well done.
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I am grouping some of the cacti together, but they are also distrubuted theoughout the garden. And soon, if all goes according to plan, I will at long last be adding some chollas to their number.
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Brave! wear shoes.
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