tz_garden

 So I put a few umbrellas out yesterday.  It's a one day 100° event, so I'm not overly concerned.  However, I have a few new plants in the ground that are worth the effort. I shouldn't be calling it a wave, I suppose.    Shot from upstairs this morning, 6:30am. And I grabbed the last 3 parasols to cover the trio of Acacia cognata 'cousin itt' above the pool.  Popped into the ground, supported by a few rocks. Wind will easily send these to the pool, I'll check on them later. I really need to give the Acacia a trim, they are dipping their toes! I spent some time yesterday scooping up some of the debris from the pepper tree that lands on the back end of the slope.  I filled several buckets worth and then gave up, it was continuing to fall and get trapped in my hair.  And one rickety shade cloth & stake setup, lol.  I need ONE more beach sand type anchor  -they screw into the ground and the umbrella can be popped in & out when needed...

 The Jungle Garden and Conservatory were up next, we needed a break from the sun for a bit.   The massive aerial roots from the trees (I'm assuming these are Ficus macrocarpa, but I'm no expert) were incredible.  The picture doesn't do it justice,  the roots grow from the branches waaaay overhead and eventually reach the ground.   It immediately felt cooler in the Jungle garden, a nice break.  No label, but that looks plastic it's so glossy! It's difficult to find labels in the jungle, fyi.  We headed over to the Conservatory for a bigger break from the sun. Dombeya wallichii, tropical hydrangea Madagascar -was smothered with these pink ball blooms - many on their way out.  This must have been Dr. Seuss magical a week prior.  They had several of the big stink lilies, Amorphophallus titanum.  I thought the one not opened up yet was the most interesting.  Vincent at the microscope for scale.  Brownea? somesuch Oooh, I'v...

It's been a "must do" visit for at least a decade, and I finally made it there!   We arrived at 10 am opening, it was already quite warm.  I'll apologize for the photos now, full sun you know.  Just through the entrance, the beds were nice BUT I could see the desert garden was mere steps away.  We made a beeline to it. The alluaudia procera were in bloom, and so wonderfully green and tall.  Sophia & Ivan for scale. I have to share a closeup, I l💚ve the way those little round leaves stack up along the branch. It's difficult to pick photos, the sun has blasted them.  In real life, I was overwhelmed.  It was fantastical. A perfect Pachypodium geayi. So many tree aloes. James and Olivia for scale. This was needing support.  And off to the left here, looked like a continuation of the desert garden that they were working on?  Love the stout trunk.  Gorgeous, no label but looks like Aloe sabae? Some kind of bottle tree, the trunk was ...