Time for a little cleaning up around here. First up, let's get that bowl of Bromeliads separated and potted. They have been crammed in a pot together (with a little sphagnum moss) since last August. The horror! I mixed up bark, charcoal, coco coir and got to work!
Shoot, I thought I had a before. Oops. The only search for Bromeliad in my photos turn up a little pineapple I grew 4 years ago.
Did a little sweeping up in the shade house, and placed the newly potted plants here & there ~that looks better! Trust me.
Full view, *the little red bowl of water is for the cat. In an attempt to convince him fresh water is better than the salt water from the pool.
A work in progress, but feeling better about it.
As I was walking the back pathway (along the bottom of the slope) I was noting things that looked nice, and things that didn't. Yes, there are a lot of pots on the little wall - August is here and it's not a good time to plant. This area with full sun in the morning, afternoon dappled shade works in the meantime.
When I was struck by this mess. My fight with alstroemeria continues.
Hmm, even with all the pepper tree litter I do like the succulent/tradescantia combo. Where's the shovel?!
Ugh, snappy little tubers.
I had 2 Hebe pimeleoides 'Quicksilver' waiting in the wings, and since this area is partly shaded - why not plant them? Nice blackish stems with bluish foliage will make a nice addition to the combo.
Better. A nice cool spot, that is in fact one of the cooler spots in the back garden.
One of the squirrels planted a peanut in the palm tree pot.
The joy from hitting the Ferocactus gracillis, fire barrel with a spray of water and seeing those spines practically glow RED! He's an angry boy.
Good to feel that garden mojo back. It's going to get hot round here. Next weekend I'm off with a group to Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. A 3 day event - it's fun, tiring and a little dirty. 3 different stages, so you need to plan out which bands you don't want to miss. And, just as important where is WineLands, GrassLands and which foods I need to try! The lineup of food is overwhelming,
Taste of the Bay Area.
Happy August!
Looking good 👍🏻
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Thanks!
DeleteYou got a LOT done! My bromeliads could use refreshing too and I don't have near the number you do. I haven't finished cleaning up my lath house either and I'm still largely ignoring the south-side area of my garden because I've no vision in mind to fill in the area formerly occupied by the thuggish 'Blue Flame' Agaves.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the music festival and be sure to take at least a few photos to share!
It's such a great spot to store plants & things, I need to stop that. I've got bare spots from removals - I've got to just let it be until it's consistently cooler. Inspiration will strike the both of us, no doubt. Thank you, will do!
DeleteYour broms are spectacular! I have way too many that are dark burgundy and green. I need lighter ones that pop more.
ReplyDeleteAlstroemeria, sigh. I hope you got most of it out. I recently planted an Alstroemeria 'Indian Summer' from Mat McG; he said it's not invasive like so many others.
Indian Summer is the ONLY Alstroemeria I will ever plant again. They are polite and have learned to keep their hands to themselves. Those broms were a closeout deal on etsy - late August last year when stuff goes on sale. I got lucky with a nice variety grab bag, with lots of bright colors. I just looked up the history, sadly that shop isn't selling on etsy anymore. I'll gladly share pups if I get some nice ones.
DeleteYay. Glad you're pro Indian Summer, too! And thanks for your brom offer.
DeleteIt's looking good. Enjoy your concert.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz!
DeleteI love the views throughout your garden. You're so creative with your landscaping and arranging. Bark, charcoal, coco coir for the Bromeliads...interesting. Thanks for the advice and the great blog post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth, who knows if my mix is right - I was a little sloppy with it.
DeleteIt’s helpful to have pots that can be moved as necessary or as the spirit moves.
ReplyDeleteThat's true - I'm sure things will be rearranged often.
DeleteI do enjoy all the close ups you provided here. Adding the 'counter tops' at the bottom of the shade house (I don't know what else to call them) are genius: it's such a good way to add space for more potted plants.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to ever rid a garden of alstroemeria? For me it's an ongoing, never quite done project... I came to term with it... I love Hebe Quicksilver' and it's an excellent addition to that vignette you created.
I'm entirely envious of your dinner plant variegated Aeonium in photo 9. Wow. Am I seeing a metal sculpture right of center in that same photo?
Chavli
You're fighting alstroemeria too? Ugh, and those little tubers snap so easily. Thank you, that Hebe is so a pretty one. Yes a metal jack rabbit, I couldn't resist. We have a little house bunny.
DeleteYou have been busy and the garden is looking good! I always enjoy the arrangements of the different colors and textures of your succulents and cacti. Happy gardening!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee - I enjoy seeing the differences in regions, and what's going on there!
DeleteThank god I've never put Alstroemeria in the ground, well except for A. isabellana (which you should definitely be growing if you ever see it on offer) which sadly has been shaded out or just gradually died off. Lovely bromeliads!
ReplyDeleteI had to look up A. isabellana, and immediately dropped a swear word. I would like that, also did they add "Fred Meyer" to the name? Ha ha, what a riot. My parents mentioned that the Gateway Fred Meyer is closing, that was our "go to" grocery stopping stop in the 70's & 80's+. So sad. My google search has returned posts on A.isabellana on your blog as well as Denise. I'm off to read!
DeleteHappy August my friend, it all is looking so fun! :-)
ReplyDelete:). Thanks Carla!
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