tz_garden

 Well, now I've done it.  I've wanted to stain the fence for a few years.  *We have a considerable amount of fencing.  I've begun and now I need to finish. Just to show the drab washed out before, and a sample of black stain.  I was nervous that black wouldn't be right.  But once I got a section done I was 100% in! First section, with Banksia praemorsa and gaura colors popping.  This view solidified my choice for choosing the dark side. Having to stop and deal with the multiple trumpet vines (planted on the other side, fire lane not a neighbor thankfully) was annoying.   You can see this b*st*ard has completely grown through our fencing.   My plan was to use a sprayer to go back and do the trellis style border at the top.  Waaaay too many crevices to roll or brush that.   The sprayer worked absolutely perfectly... for 3 panels.  Then it was sputtering and spouting black blobs EVERYWHERE.  Still, I'm so much loving the look of the plants against the dark background. 

 Echinopsis 'Dutchman's Gold' from Brent Wigand, discovered from reading  Gerhard's blog .  Such a fabulous addition and the blooms are so bright and beautiful, I can spot them the second I step out back.  Several other Echinopsis in this area are budded up. In my typical fashion, I can't find the tag on this one.  I've narrowed it down to Echinopsis 'Chorlette' or the descriptive 'Version 16'. hahaha, I can only laugh at myself.  I think it will be easier when they all bloom and I can take a better guess.   I just love it! So soft, this one was gifted so I'm not to be blamed for no name.   And this morning the second bloom opening, I just wish they lasted longer. But there are more on the way to enjoy. I mainly wanted to post this morning to post a question.  On many WordPress blogs, I am unable to leave a comment.  I'm wondering if anyone has had the same problem?  I've tried different browsers to get around it, but it made no diffe

 While in Cave Creek, AZ we had an uninvited guest who hopped on the rental car.  I'm posting a saguaro pic first, if you don't like creepy crawlies skip this. After we drove to Lowe's to get a few things (our host had just moved in and is renovating a cool ranch house), we loaded the trunk of the rental car.  Carol closed the hatch back.  I turned around to say something to her instead I said "don't panic Carol and put your arm down".  She had an ENORMOUS TARANTULA ON HER CHEST! An Arizona Blonde, as it turns out.  Obviously I didn't get a picture of the tarantula on her chest, if only I was an "influencer" I would've thought of that, hahaha.  Here it is after swatting to the ground.  We returned back to the house, Carol immediately poured herself a glass of wine.  I don't blame her!  The tarantula was unharmed, she crawled away.  Lots of empty land nearby for her to be fine. I have to say, with this group this is par for the course.  A

 I've been spending every second I can in the garden, so many weeds & moving things around.  Blooms galore, I absolutely treasure this time of year! I wish I could've driven home from Cave Creek with a carload of plants, I did manage to carry home a Talavera snake.  The price on Talavera there is vastly different than here in Livermore.  About 1/4 of the price!  Anyone want to roadtrip?   Various blooms... from the greenhouse, this vivid purple shocked me.  Cactus blooms are the best. Iris No memory of planting this one, lol. Jerusalem sage I need to pull the poppies & honeywort, they are a little aggressive this year.   *Not my sideyard, but spotted on a run - isn't that lovely? Love this shock of red when I step out into the back garden. One of Ivan's astrophytum's in the greenhouse sent out a nice soft bloom.  Still trying to set rocks. Epiphyllum, I thought this was 'King Midas' but looks too pink to me? And a BIG Happy Birthday to the King of th