MONOCARPIC

I noticed some of my Sempervivums were blooming, which means they are preparing for their final exit.  Hopefully to leave many pups in their memory. This one stuffed into a crevice of a boulder is a favorite. 

and some more in a back bed. They've proudly sent their blooms up for all to see. I've grown to be fond of them,  the way they clump and slowly creep.  I do remember scraping them from the concrete stairs at our first house, convinced they were "old lady" plants. Now that I am an old lady, I like them.. so maybe I was right. 

The Sempervivum growing in shadier areas look a heck of a lot better than the ones scorching in full sun.

Off topic, but noticed the Crassula perfoliata v. falcata were beginning their summer burst. Somewhat matching the bracts on Pedilanthus bracteatus behind by the fence there.

Back to the monocarpic (flower, set seed & die)

Credit to  Loree for starting the Agave watch trend.  I still think she hides a map with gold stars marking every agave in the greater Portland area. Just a few houses away, from June 2025.

And today.  

Beautiful! *I'm assuming the huge cactus in front of the agave is a Cardon.  It's more blue-green than the green of a Saguaro. 

Speaking of agaves, I saw this on my run this morning.  Hmmm, um just an idea but you could actually plant real agaves in those full sun south facing planters? Oh well, you do you! 💚

Another cute clump.  

A few things of note.  I wanted to update on the status of Schefflera schizophylla.  It must have been greenhouse grown, it suffered quite a bit after I got it set up in the shade house.  Now 3-4 months later it is looking so much happier. 

And, looks like Drimia maritima has decided to send up blooms this year. I swear I looked at these yesterday and didn't notice any signs of life.  

And one of my favorite little weirdos, Leuzea conifera, pinecone thistle has it's nice to squish after bloom papery cones. 

I need to gather bids for the front fence repair or redo, and getting the massive street tree trimmed & laced up.  It's getting ridiculous.  It seems like a good idea to do it before all those leaves fall.  

Any projects in the works for you?