I could get used to this

Mildest summer ever, fantastic!  Aloe Hercules is getting serious about it's trunk. Dropping a couple big leaves per week.  So satisfying to peel them off as they dry out (or they just fall off).
It's thrilling to see the branching (2 heads) become more prominent.  Still one of my top 5 favorite plants.
While things are feeling quite messy, it's nice to put the blinders on and look at things that love summer heat.  Pachypodium geayi is strutting along.  
There are potted things everywhere, I'm due for several "getting serious things done"days.
Potted Erica verticilata is looking very sweet. 
Does anyone grow Berzelia albiflora?  I think I should be pruning off the old blooms - but can't make myself do it. 
I'm going to wait, maybe winter dormancy?  
In the good news category: Ivan got the cherry tree 6' stump & huge root ball out (behemoth!). And the 2 Oleanders as well.  Whew!  He made it seem easy. I'm so grateful. *That rootball is actually about 4' wide, doesn't look it in the zoomed out picture.
Dumbo, the Haemanthus is blooming. I'm partial to it's huge elephant ears leaves -more than the flower.
The stalk is pretty cool!  
I'm definitely hiding the messy, if you walked around my garden right now there would be a lot of raising of the eyebrows. Ha ha.  Drimia maritima.
So cute close-up. 
And a visit from Sophia & Ivan brought gifts from David Neumaier.  I opened the door for them, Ivan holding up a big tree Aloe (thraskii) and Sophia holding a much smaller, but similar shaped Tillandsia.  Also, a Dioon from David's garden.  *I'm not sure on ID, but will get it from David.  It will likely need more space. 😀
I'm off for a super flash visit to see my parents in Portland, will be staying with my friend Tina.  I'm flying Southwest, and not knowing where my seat will be is low-level annoying.  It's a solo trip so it really shouldn't matter.  Wish me luck!

Comments

  1. Your garden looks fantastic, Tracy (even if you may be hiding some less tidy bits)! Best wishes for a smooth trip to and from Portland.

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  2. It's amazing to see a kind of aloe so large, yet still looking like the little aloes! It's like the plants in dinosaur dioramas, bigger than life. Have a nice trip.

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  3. I hope you get early boarding on Southwest to get a good seat. (My trip to Ohio was on Southwest.)

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  4. It's nice that someone has had a mild summer. We've had it hot and dry after a cold and snowy winter. Our meagre garden is looking pretty deplorable.

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  5. I so wish I could grow Erica verticillata. Especially now after I read online that this "species of Erica that was naturally restricted to the city of Cape Town but is now classified as extinct in the wild". So cool you have it!
    I know nothing of Berzelia albiflora, but the blooms are so sweet; I don't suppose anyone cuts them off in nature...
    Drimia maritima bloooms! I'm so jealous. Can you also grow foxtail lilies?
    Happy and safe trip.
    Chavli

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    1. Wow, I had no idea! I added a 30° tag on it so I remember to give it some protection in the winter. *And no, I should add some!

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  6. I hope Portland treats you well! Someday you're gonna have to come visit my garden while you're here...

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    1. Oh, I wanted to so badly. You were 1,2 & 3 on my wish list. My trip was short, and very scheduled without my input, lol.

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    1. Thanks Gerhard :). I'm enjoying seeing what you're up to right now, putting things back!

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  8. I vote keeping the old flowers on the Berzelia. Amazing! I also have been avoiding posting much from my garden - too many areas that are fried, trampled, or moved out of place during the summer of construction. Much easier to post pictures from other people's gardens. Thanks for what you did share.

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    1. I agree, they don't have that dead burnt look at all. I'm glad I'm not the only one in end of summer limbo. And you have all that construction going on- exciting but also a challenge!

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  9. Hi, wish you luck. :-)
    Enjoy your super flash trip.
    I enjoyed all the photos today... you have an amazing garden. I am happy you had a good garden summer. We did too. We got rain when we needed, nice humidity and lot of sun too. :-)

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    1. Thank you! The trip was great, always nice to see Mom & Dad.

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  10. Hi Tracy your garden has really come over the summer.. Wow! I can imagine the effort that went into removing the cherry tree stump. What are you going to repurpose the stump as?
    the little cacti garden in the terracota pot looks great with the decoration.

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    1. Thankful to Ivan for handling the cherry - I could NOT have got it down! We're thinking on that stump. Thanks!

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  11. Your garden plants are different from what I grow. Amazing and exotic. That Berzelia albiflora is cool.

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I'd love to hear from you, ~Tracy