Monkeying around

 I had a great week relaxing with a friend, now I need to get myself back in gear! Not my home, but Jacaranda trees are in bloom everywhere and gorgeous.  

I know they are very messy, still wow.  I'm tempted to guerrilla garden one into the empty planting space in the fire lane, so I can enjoy it and not clean up after it (much).

The sunflowers have reached Jack & the Beanstalk heights!  At least 10'.   The goldfinches sit on the stems and rip at the leaves to eat.

We've had a week.  Poor Doctor had a "winky" eye, so took him to see the vet.  He had an ulcer removed, and is sporting an Elizabethan collar for a bit.  Along with 2 different eyedrops several times a day.  It's much better today, and he's getting back to normal - restless, and wanting outside.  Sorry buddy. 

And I fell at the end of a run yesterday, hard on my knee & hands.  I felt mostly fine, I mean it hurts to fall but I was o.k. and finished running home.  Last night my knee was achey, so will try to lay low today. 

 I checked on a cutting of Lophocereus Schottii 'Woolly Rhino' that's been sitting in the greenhouse for several months.  Has it rooted?   Success!  

For now, in a pot to fatten up.  Eventually I'd like to ground it. 

Potted up a couple Aloes - Aloe Aculeata black clone form. 

And Aloe Suzannae, I lost one before -they are a little fussy.  Potting Miss. S to keep her happy. 

Pedilanthus bracteatus has begun it's summer bloom.  I've always read, water sparingly or not at all.  Nope, she's thirsty.  Much better bloom with a good weekly (or two) dousing of water, at least here in Livermore. 

These sweet little Saxifrages.  Saxifrage 'Vesna' *I think, tags got shuffled.

And Saxifrage 'Iris Pritchard' probably my favorite, I love how it grows in a nice little bun. 

Desert rose Adenium is really putting on a show.

Millions of peaches, peaches for me.  Not really - more like 12.  

Fingers crossed on the Hakea petiolaris that Ivan replanted in the slope.  I've had horrible luck with these, but there is some new growth? 

Eremophila racemosa is off to a great start.  I tried this plant once before, it was a total dud.  This one has much better form, and the ever changing flower color. Pink/yellow/coral. 

Warning:Flower dump.  Scroll if you're not into it.  Unknown- I thought I discarded this Dahlia, it must have planted itself by the back gate.

and I love what it's doing there.  Nice long stems, great cut flower.

Styrax 'Evening Light' hard to get a nice photo of, but the leaves are so nice.  Second blooming.

Russelia equisetiformis 'Aurea'

I do like a pom pom Dahlia.

And when the buds are still tightly formed. 

Crinum

Lisianthus, one seed made it all the way! 

No idea Dahlia, but nice & punchy.

Glad.

A maybe questionable color combination.  lol

This succulent/daylily combo I like. 

We've had a mild start to summer, for this area at least.  90's and upper 80's - I'll take it!  

Happy 4th of July, the pre-fireworks around here have been pretty dang quiet.  I'm thankful for that, we're just too dry for that kind of shenanigans.  Doing anything fun of the 4th?