Bird of Paradise Adds a Bright Spot to the Garden

Aptly names, these plants add a bright spot to the garden and add a little tropical interest as well.

Jade in Bloom

Lovely star-like blooms cover this jade plant. 

Hummingbird Sighting

Hummingbird sighting in Laguna today.  They bring such joy and playfulness as they dart from flower to flower

Rainy Daze and Succulents--Winning Combination

Today we had another H2O event in SoCal.  No heavy rains but a misty morning covered these succulents in dewy drops.  Fresh!

Red Camellia in Bloom

I'm so happy I decided to plant three yuletide camellias in November 2014.  The plants had a hard summer with the drought...but look at the beautiful little bloom I found growing this week.  I have plans to protect the plants with shade netting this year to make sure they get fully established.  I am imagining how beautiful these shrubs will be during the winter months with their elegant blooms.  The yellow stamens add just the right flair to the bright red bloom.

It's That Artichoke Time 0f Year

With the wonderful rains we had last week, the artichoke, which in my garden acts like a perennial, perked up and extended its leaves across the walkway.  They'll get cut back once they block passage.  This plant will grow much larger and taller before the end of the season.

The inner leaves are so fuzzy they almost look like they are covered with frost.