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Spring Clean for the May Queen -2026

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 I always seem to seriously underestimate the amount of time it takes to clean up the patio and get it looking "summer ready".  We've had an incredibly early heatwave, making it feel like we skipped Spring altogether!  Maybe an odd combo, but potted Euphorbia cooperi and Sunburst Aeonium bring me joy.  I really got to work out there, shop vacc-ing the patio crevices and planting this and that to get it off the dining table.  I did NOT take proper before pics.  Today, I'll show the afters. Usually we had this couch placed behind the dining table (we bought it for a Rinella family reunion for extra seating for all those Italians).  I didn't like it back there, no view and it's just dumb.  So I split the couch up, this spot has a view across the back garden and the pool.  Backed up a little. The sitting "view", and it's already getting messy haha.  Float chairs & hose out.  Oh well. Of course, I see now Dr. Feelgood is snoozing on ...
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Bud or Bloom?

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 I was recently having a discussion with myself, if I actually enjoyed the anticipation of plants blooming more than the actual bloom?  I have plenty of plants that don't bloom at all -or they are dying when they do, and I LOVE THEM. Spikes, foliage and fuzziness being the focal point of plants is underrated. Not a bloom, but a cool spider web in the sun.  Some are obvious. She's good for one thing!   I like Aloe speciosa's early bud racemes better before they open.  Still, gorgeousness. And the plant itself tilts it's head toward the sun - making it cool year round.  Leucospermum 'Brandi'  Middle-ish of open? Personal favorite. I can't be the only one who prefers the pre-show of Leucospermum?  Aloe rupestris, bud at it's very beginning stage. And currently shooting mostly above the plant. Beschorneria septentrionalis I'll admit, this is getting MORE exciting. Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom' -I don't have a before or after, it's just ...
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Spring forward!

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I don't know about you, but I felt that hour being snagged away.  Sunday was a perfect 80°, flip flops on -sweat in the sun- day and I didn't want to come inside.  I don't see any predictions of rain in the near future, we are dry dry. I was headed round the back yard, I almost missed that the tall Pilocereus pachycladus was blooming.  Kind of an odd short lived bloom, my favorite thing is the crazy hair-do.    And to the front "back" corner, Grevillea synapheae has exploded. I almost walked on by this plant from UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, but I'm happy to have it.  It's a funny contorted little thing.   I went from thinking I don't have much to work on... to OH I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO DO! First up, the "FARM AREA" The absolute messiest area that I can never seem to keep tidy.  And truth be told, it's not going to get much better this summer.  One raised bed is to be a cutting garden, the other for tomatoes.  I can't give up the summ...
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