The New Garden Planter--Blue and Yellow and Waterwise

After hours of preparation the new planting bed is complete. The plants selected for this planter are all low water users (occasional water once established/drought tolerant/ low water use) and love full sun.

The completed planter

Starring Role-- Everngreen Daylily: Starburst Double Gold Hermerocallis x Monold

Supporting plants--Lavendula:  Appears to be a compact lavender

Supporting plants--Victoria Blue Salvia Farinacea

Edging of Stonecrop: Angelina Sedum rupestre

Edging of Stonecrop: John Creech Sedum spurium

Carrotwood Tree--Funny name?

How did the carrotwood tree get its name?  The wood is the color of carrots--orange.  Here is an example of the colorful wood of the carrotwood tree made during tree trimming.

Carrotwood Tree

The carrotwood tree in my backyard has created a feeding frenzy with the local birds. The tree has produced an incredible amount of seeds and the birds are here for a free meal.

The seeds are actually quite pretty in the tree. The seed pod splits to reveal a black seed which is covered by an orange layer. Once the seeds fall from the pod, what remains is an interesting woody "flower." I think it would be stunning in some craft project using found objects from nature.