We take care of our gardens year in and year out. Sometimes, especially when there's a long list of chores to do, it seems like the work never ends.
But remember that this is a two-way street: Whatever we give to the garden, the garden gives back—with interest. We invest time, effort and money, and the garden rewards us with beauty.
Beauty may be a simple six-letter word, but like most simple things, it's a powerful force.
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| Agave ovatifolia and Alyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft' |
In times of turmoil, the garden can help us escape reality, if ever so briefly, refocus, and recharge our mental batteries. In short: It can help us stay sane.
Here are some recent photos from my personal sanctuary. Spring is my favorite time of year—it's easy to see why.
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| Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies', Agave ovatifolia, and Alyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft' |
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| Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus), a very fast grower—not surprising since it's an annual |
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| Great foliage combo along the sidewalk |
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| In the middle, almost buried in the foliage: Agave gentryi 'Jaws' and Yucca linearifolia |
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| The red-flowering shrub on the right is one of the three Baja fairy dusters in the front yard (Calliandra californica) |
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| Osteospermum 'Astra Purple Spoon', almost done with the first wave of flowers |
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| Graptoveria 'Fred Ives' and Felicia aethiopica ‘Tight and Tidy’ |
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| Graptoveria 'Fred Ives' and Felicia aethiopica ‘Tight and Tidy’ |
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| Sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri) |
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| Engelmann's daisy (Engelmannia peristenia) and Aloe bulbillifera flower |
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| Ferocactus glaucescens |
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| One of my favorite inflorescences: Billy buttons (Craspedia globosa) |
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| Salvia 'Little Kiss' |
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| Abutilon × 'Tiger Eye' |
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TOP: unidentified ×Sincoregelia (intergeneric hybrid between two bromeliads, Sincorea and Neoregelia)
BOTTOM: Unnamed Deuterocohnia species from Tucumán, Argentina (ex Bill Baker) |
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| Echinocereus triglochidiatus |
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| Echinopsis ‘Johnson Hybrid’ will flower any day now |
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| Horse crippler (Echinocactus texensis) |
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It looks fantastic, Gerhard! I think I "need" Alyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft' - my Alyogyne huegelii isn't nearly as attractive. Is that Sideritis cypria in the 4th photo?
ReplyDeleteAlyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft' is a hybrid between A. huegelii and A. hakeifolia that popped up in the RBG. I'll take some cuttings for you!
DeleteYes, that's Sideritis cypria - from Annie's Annuals, of course. I also have a Sideritis oroteneriffae.
Gorgeousness...I adore the Abutilon × 'Tiger Eye'.
ReplyDeleteIt took three years to finally get going, but it's looking superb right now.
DeleteWow! You have an amazing amount of spring color. That mix of foliage perennials with the blooming salvia(?) along the sidewalk also makes my heart and eyes happy. Keep enjoying this unique time in your beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteThe amount of color surprised even me. I plant so much stuff every year, I never know what will be successful. Yes, the purple flowers are from a salvia, Salvia leucantha.
DeleteThe first photo, of the Agave ovatifolia and Alyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft', is a poetic color combination! Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat was pure coincidence, but I'm so happy with how it turned out. I'm a big believer in serendipity!
DeleteEverything looks so healthy and vigourous. The renovated cactus planter glows. Comforting to see that even though our lives are turned upside down the natural world carries on unabated.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I think the natural world is actually breathing a sigh of relief at the moment.
DeleteYour garden is looking fabulous Gerhard, and your photo of the Craspedia globosa with the agave backer is simply gorgeous. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm a sucker for Craspedia globosa. I have four or five now!
DeleteThis post really shows how many shrubs and perennials you mix in to such amazing effect. I remember the great alyogynes at the RB garden with their thread-like leaves, so different from our commonly grown huegelii.
ReplyDeleteAlyogyne 'Ruth Bancroft' gets the more refined leaves from A. hakeifolia. It's a vigorous grower, and I've already resigned myself to having to give it a haircut after this current wave of flowers is over.
DeleteYucca linearifolia really adds classy texture to almost any setting. It's a particularly fantastic contrast with Agave 'Jaws' and that ecstatic-looking Salvia leucantha.
ReplyDeleteIs that Salvia l. 'Midnight'? Much more vibrant than the regular with white among the purple.
DeleteI couldn't agree more abou Yucca linearifolia. It's probably my favorite yucca although a well-grown Yucca rostrata is hard to beat.
DeleteThe Salvia leucantha is just the regular form. It does have white in with the purple.
If conditions are right,you've got to find a way to get that red intergeneric hybrid bromeliad in the same visual field as the 'Tiger Eye' abutilon. Wowza!
ReplyDeleteSince the Sincoregelia is in a pot, I can easily move it into the backyard where the 'Tiger Eye' abutilon is. I'll give it a try on the weekend.
DeleteHello, I have the Alyogyne (either) Ruth Bancroft or Lady Barbara Rose, in a pot, pruned like a small round tree. I’ve been searching and having no luck on detailed information on proper watering for it potted, as I think it’s mostly just planted in gardens and is drought tolerant in well drained soil. At first I was keeping it moist (well drained) and just watering when it seemed dry, but then the leaves started turning yellow, so I stopped. It’s in full sun, and still not doing well. Any advice would be most appreciated!
ReplyDelete