Yarrow Explodes in Large Golden Blooms

The weather has been extremely sunny for the past few days. The vibrant color of the yarrow seems to reflect the intensity of the sun.

I recommend clicking on the photo. The intricacy of the yarrow bloom is stunning.

Azalea in Bloom

This beauty is blooming in my neighbors' garden. A great color for February.

Cactus, Pretty in Pink

There is a trail near my home which is lush with vegetation. This vegetation has to be draught tolerant because there is not irrigation here except what comes out of the skies (--rain!). When walking today, my friend and I saw something pink a bit off the trail. Its mate was nearby, a little green with envy, I think.

It's Poppy Time In California

I'm not sure if the extra warm weather has brought these poppies out earlier than usual but I am glad they are blooming. It seems as though every garden patch has a splash of color.

Buds then Blossoms

Something is always in bloom in California. The trees in the town of San Juan Capistrano are starting to bloom.

Rosemary in Bloom

I noticed over the weekend that the rosemary is blooming. I really like when rosemary is removed from the herb garden and takes its place as an evergreen shrub in a border garden. The flowers are delicate but the folliage's fragrance is so aromatically robust. Just being near the plant to snap this photo has left my clothing with the spicy pungent smell.

Rose Hips

I love finding fully developed rose hips on my rose bushes. I like the color of these two I found in the garden this weekend.

Why We Love Nandina

Who cannot love nandina? Look at the color it adds to the landscape.

Early Bloomer--Pink INDIAN HAWTHORN

In the spring, my pink hawthorns burst into bloom. This little flower got a jump on the rest of the flowers.

Red Lettuce

The very warm, sunny days are encouraging a lush growth of lettuce in my garden. The lettuce is also threatening to bolt! Yikes. Don't do it.

Is this a fern?

This foliage is in my garden in several places. When doing a little gardening this week, I noticed it had some beautiful red and green berries. I wish I knew what plant it was. Maybe someone has a clue?

I received a comment which sounds very knowledgeable. The "Germinatrix" reports this fern to be Asparagus densiflora meyersii. Thanks for your input.

Cactus in Bloom

Prickly but pretty. My cactus is blooming. Looks like there are a few more blooms ready to burst in a week or so.

Frost Kills Tomato Plant

Here is the result of the cold weather we had last week in California. While temps are a bit warmer now, I am finding it cozier to stay inside. Really I should go out to the garden and clean up this mess.

Artichokes

I have two artichoke plants in the garden. They don't seem to mind the cold weather. The nursery tag indicated it was great for cool, short-seasoned climates. I am very excited to see the blossom and the acutal artichoke when it starts to grow. I'll post photos!

White Calla Lily Ready to Unfurl

Going away on vacation has two benefits. First, you have the fun of the vacation. Second, when you come home, your garden has all kinds of surprises for you. I returned from vacation to find my calla lilies beginning to bloom in the front flower bed. This photo shows the bloom is just beginning to unfurl.

My plants stay in the ground year round and are quite happy in their location. To my pleasant surprise, they have propagated on their own by seed.

Red Peppers in January

The peppers keep on coming. We have been away for about a week. Upon returning home, I found the garden had been very busy while we were gone. I did not remove several summer plants at the end of the season because they had set some late vegetables. Here is the yummy result--probably some of the best peppers I have ever grown. They are extremely heavy and have turned bright red. I have some small new peppers on the plant. I will probably leave them to mature as long as we are having such warm and inviting weather.