Road trip!

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 Sophia and I share the same birthday (she is the BEST birthday present EVER).  We all decided a little road trip to Los Angeles was in store.  Visiting The Huntington was at the top of my list.  But before we left, I was feeling that my own golden barrel display on the slope was taking up too much valuable real estate and not really what I want it to be.  So, the day before we left (I should have been packing!) I got to work.

Another issue, with the palm trees getting taller - and other plants will get taller.  The barrels get shaded, the best part of a golden display is when they are backlit at sunrise or sundown, imho.  Big boy above the pool and his smaller friends are staying put.
The first one I dug up, completely rotten!  I had no idea, this was my favorite one - it was growing strangely -almost square.  Like one of those Japanese watermelon Shikaku Suika growing in a box to keep the square shape.
Thankfully, that was the only rotten barrel I found.  I decided to fill the new holes with an exceptionally (expensive!) well draining mix to battle any winter rain.  It's hard to believe the slope was holding on to too much water but whatever. 

All moved over, closer together.  With the extras sitting in a box.  Understudies galore.
Better!  And with some empty real estate for something special.  I was thinking a big rock with Banksia blechnifolia climbing over and around - I'm just in love with that plant.  It gives drama year round., and wouldn't cast shade.  Still thinking on it.  
I was feeling pleased.  Then I saw this...
"When I get home I'm throwing all of mine out!"   This is INSANE! *Just kidding, I'm not throwing them out.   It reminded me of a story a co-worker told me years ago.  Her 2 year old son took a shower with his Dad.  As the 2 year old was walking back to his room, he whispered "way huge".   So yeah, barrel envy. 
Anyway, we also wandered through Descanso Gardens in LaCanada Flintridge. It was a pretty forested walk surrounded by the San Rafael mountains.
Ivan bravely picked a wild cucumber (not edible).
I don't know the ID, but I loved the curly ribbon leaves unfurling.
The girls talked to the turtles.
It was a nice morning, although hazy.
I'll share some of my photos from The Huntington in my next post, I was blown away by the desert garden.  

Hope you're having a good week, I can't believe it's Thursday!

Comments

  1. Liz A.May 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM

    Yeah, quite the collection of barrels. Did you get south for our overcast days? This time of year, we really get socked in by the marine layer (although not so much this week).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM

      We got every different kind of weather -rain, cloudy the next day, and HOT the day after.

      Delete
  2. AnvilcloudMay 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM

    You're doing well, but I get that bit of envy while I hum "Roll out the barrel" to myself.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LisaMay 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM

    I don't envy you the job of digging out and relocating those!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 23, 2025 at 8:05 AM

      I definitely got a few good pokes - telling myself gloves would give me a false sense of security.

      Delete
  4. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM

    I love your golden barrel makeover. And Banksia blechnifolia would be a great addition--a combo I've never seen before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 23, 2025 at 8:05 AM

      Thanks Gerhard, I'm happy about having an open space to contemplate.

      Delete
  5. Kris PetersonMay 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM

    A visit to the Huntington is a great way to celebrate your birthdays! A friend took me there last year as I recall and my husband did so another year but, as I live a lot closer to the garden than you do, it's sad how seldom I manage to get there. However, no one can compare their garden to the Huntington (unless they have several billion dollars to throw around!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM

      It was breathtaking, hopefully I can visit again. It's always the driving part of an excursion that stops me from going somewhere - I hate wasting time in a car. Plus we both have to deal with traffic. True, I shouldn't compare. I did enjoy the sights so much.

      Delete
  6. danger gardenMay 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM

    Oh yes! Your barrel make-over is a good one, esp. because you have more room, and I too love the idea of the banksia being added to the mix. Isn't that area at the Huntington just amazing? I'm finally posting my desert garden pics next week and I took (I always take) so many of that planting. Descanso Gardens eh? I've never been... would you recommend it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM

      Well then that's settled, banksia it is! unfortunately Waltzing Matilija doesn't have any blechnifolia right now. I do have a newer one I could move though, I may do just that. The barrel area was just so so so good, and the entire desert garden. I was completely in awe. I would recommend Descanso Gardens for a nice walk, but I think I'd have more fun wandering neighborhoods. I did spot one pyrrosia.

      Delete
  7. Gabriel gardenMay 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM

    Invece io sono invidioso del tuo giardino! Malgrado i cactus che il traduttore definisce come 'barili'. Qui malgrado il freddo e la pioggia sono riuscito a godermi almeno i primi fiori degli Trichocereus!

    Ti auguro di dare un ottimo sviluppo alle tue idee in giardino!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tz_gardenMay 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM

      Thank you so much, those barrels were amazing. I couldn't believe my eyes! I hope you're having a fantastic weekend :)

      Delete
  8. JerryMay 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM

    The day before?! Now that sounds like packing procrastination. Didn't see any blood on the barrels, so that's good! Injury free for your road trip.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Carla from The RiverMay 27, 2025 at 9:04 AM

    Hi Tracy, another fun post. Thank you for sharing all your fun. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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I'd love to hear from you, ~Tracy

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