Let's call it Mid-April, goings on

Pachyphytum some such.  They seem to drop their bulbous leaves if you look at them funny.

This pot (afternoon shade) seems to be holding itself together, has a nice powdery farina.  

Eucalyptus pleurocarpa, from Waltzing Matilija in the slope since summer 2024.  It has happily tripled in size, absolutely love the ghostly hue of the interior.  Will grow to 6-8' tall & wide.

And a little trial I have going on, which I lovingly call "The Weed Trees".  I want to overhaul the front garden, but I need full focus for that project.  Summer is not the time to plant here, so likely will be fall/finish in spring. So, why not do something in the meantime.  It began when Ivan suggested Podachaenium eminens, Giant Tree Daisy for a spot in the back.  I ended up with something else back there, but thought how fun this would be in the front.  It is said to tolerate heat, but needs some afternoon protection.  The leaves have a spicy pineapple scent and should get big daisy-like bloom clusters.  May die in frost, that's ok. So far, so good!

This one has the prettiest foliage, Tithonia diversifolia, Mexican sunflower.  In researching I've read "most underrated plant ever" and "the plant I hate the very most", to "it is a great plant, but don't turn your back to it".  My plan is to rip this out before it becomes a problem and spreads everywhere.  If you've dealt with this plant, please let me know if I'm being too cavalier.  I could move this to a pot, so I don't have to worry about the tap root running crazy?

My apologies for the midday photo.  Dahlia imperialis Double or Nothing!  Fast growing, bamboo like limbs and lavendar blooms.  When I read this can grow to 30' I couldn't help but laugh hilariously.  More likely to 8-9' in the garden. 

I'm realizing pictures of small weed-like plants, probably not the most interesting.  So the others are: Tecoma stans Gold Star and Dicliptera sericea.  Those aren't really weeds, but they are fast growing so I'm keeping them in "The Weed Trees" project. 

An update on a last summer experiment, Leucadendron argenteum.  I fell in love at first sight, and purchased several.  They have a real -can die at any moment reputation.  So far, so good.  The FUR!

Wait, are those APHIDS ON MY BELOVED?  *Treated.  Another thing to keep my eye on.

An update on the Hakea petiolaris Ivan moved to a more prominent spot in the slope. Pushing new growth, good sign!

I hope it continues to thrive here,  moving it was the right choice.

The palm moved to the pot has appreciated the partial shade, pushing new growth that's not burned to a crisp.

Alpine garden continues to surprise me with bulbs I frantically planted and didn't make record of :(.

This little strawflower is so cute nestled in the rocks.

Next to Raoulia australis, a low & slow growing ground cover. 

The wonderful Billbergia nutans.

I got the Aloe 'Malibu Peach' out of it's pot via razor blade and in the ground.

Hans at Dry Oasis Plants warned me it was root bound and "there's no untangling that".  I'm looking forward to the cream colored blooms against the black fence.  Fingers crossed!

Small aloes + others on a table, morning sun - afternoon bright shade.  All in a free draining mix so I can water often.

Ok, this post is getting long - I'll stop with the California poppies Red Chief.  

Petals are closing up for the day, orange on top & red undersides.  They are dotted here & there in the back.  

Happy spring!