just another way to say I'm in the middle of a mess. I've been continuing the overhaul of the front garden. I need to get mid and smaller sized plants in, then top dress. In other words, I've got nothing to show, lol. Pointing -"That mess right there, needs to go!"
So, I decided to show some pretty things that are happening here and there. I need it. This Banksia has several cones at the moment - but the most developed cone with it's cheery yellow skirt I can see from my upstairs bedroom window. It's utterly ridiculous and I love it.
I've added a few different Banksia to the front, and I hope they are half as lovely as this one. *younger version repeated in the slope back there.
The sun doesn't hit the slope 100% at this time of year, but the little snippets are nice.
The greenhouse Ariocarpus are happy and putting on one last show.
The Platycerium Superbum filled out over the summer months. Captain Handsome!
Cereus repandus pumped out a few more gargantuan blooms.
The way the Raoulia tenuicalis listened to instructions and is creeping through the rock... Yes! Can you see it coming through the "cave" on the lower left?
Soaking up the sun.
Agave bovicornuta is looking F.I.N.E.
This slope combo is still holding strong.
I added a bunch of bulbs to the Alpine garden (from Telos Rare Bulbs), hopefully they will be happy here.
I'll post the front when I have something to show.
In sad news, our little old lady cat passed peacefully last night. She was 18. R.I.P. A good life, and I'm relieved she didn't suffer. Thankfully, I have Dr. Feelgood next to me, ready and available for purring & pets today.
So many of my favorites grown beautifully, the feather bush/phyllica and a flawless cowhorn agave. A happy and blooming banskia -- astonishing! And that ground cover medley which I'm guessing is a tradescantia, a Hebe 'Quicksilver' and something sedum is so good it's unreal -- please correct me with the true IDs! And closing with that fabulous helichrysum, the plants are indeed following your instructions to the letter!
ReplyDeleteDenise, you nailed the ID's. I don't know what the sedum is, something that's been around forever and probably from Home Depot. Tradescantia zebrina. Thanks, it's great when a grouping works out despite my lack of planning. ;)
DeleteThat banksia cone, OMG! To have something like that in your garden, well I cannot imagine. You've scared up a lot of beauty in this post, I hope it inspires you through the drudgery that moving messes and tending to the planting list can sometimes bring. You're making more beauty! So sorry about the little old lady...
ReplyDeleteDang, you worded that exactly right -the drudgery that moving messes & tending... I can't get over that cone, sometimes I go outside just to look at it. *Thank you.
DeleteI've yet to invest in a Banksia but you may have just convinced me I need to get off the dime on that! She's a looker. Your sloped area backing the pool looks splendid as do all your closeup shots. It's important to take those hotshot photos periodically, especially when you're in the middle of an upheaval elsewhere,
ReplyDeleteAs to the little old lady, I'm sorry for your loss. Even while we know it's going to happen, it's still hard but going out on her own terms is always the best we can hope for.
Yes Kris, Banksia would love it there! Do it! Thank you, I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere - the "hot shots" were a little boost. *Thank you.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. Your garden is coming along. Yeah, not there yet, but you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz.
DeleteI always look for Dr. Feelgood in your posts. Kinda like Where’s Waldo. I wasn’t aware of Little Old Lady Cat. 18 is a very good long kitty life. The emptiness will be there for awhile even in the best of circumstances. Thank you for sharing your garden and snippets of your life.
ReplyDeleteDr. is my garden buddy, follows me around - he definitely demands more attention, lol. Thank you.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about Little Old Cat Lady. She lived a long life.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gerhard, she did.
DeleteSo many delights from the Banksia and onward. What happens to the plants that you pull? Do they go to new homes at all?
ReplyDeleteI did give away quite a lot. I piled stuff up in the empty lane next to us, one neighbor took all the iris to give to a friend. Another took a rose, I'm always surprised people are interested. So that's nice it will live on.
DeleteOh gosh, so sorry about kitty. <3 I know the feeling after saying goodbye to special pets over the years. It's so tough, but she was fortunate to be in your family. BTW, I love the mess you've shared. It shows the process and the progress. Also, that "little spot of sunshine" photo is frameable. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth! She lived such a good long life, that does make it easier. The afternoon sun makes lovely photos.
DeleteI'm very sorry to hear about your other kitty's passing. Very sad news, and I am also thankful she didn't suffer. I do love the pairing of the Tradescantia zebrina with the Hebe 'Quicksilver'. Beautiful. I'm going to throw a few cuttings of T. zebrina out into the yard now and see whether they survive our Oregon winters if they are in a dry spot.
ReplyDeleteOh good, even if the top is sloppy - it rebounds when it gets warm in spring. *Thank-you.
DeleteThank goodness for the refuge of your back garden. One may not survive if it were messy on both ends.
ReplyDeleteI love what the Raoulia tenuicalis is doing! (Note-to-self: incorporate Raoulia in the garden).
The 'slope combo' is so beautifully designed. Tradescantia zebrina has such good pattern and presence. I can't remember if you also grow tradescantia pallida, (the purple one). I wish it was hardy in my North Seattle garden; so many ways to use it.
Finally, I'm sorry to hear you lost your little furry girl. Such sadness that's hard to put into words. I'm glad Dr. Feelgood is doing all he can to help.
Chavli
Yes I do have pallida as well! In the past I've always thought of Seattle and Portland having the same climate - but it seems like Seattle is a bit more "kind"? I love Raoulia! It's slow to take off, but worth it. Thank-you, she had a nice life and that definitely helps.
DeleteThat's such an excellent haul for a nothing to show post! I have no doubt that once everything is settled and in the ground it will all show off as well. The banksia. Wow! Out of this world. And of course I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. She was well loved
ReplyDeleteThank you Frank! It's always good to have a project, and yes she did indeed have a good life.
DeleteThe Platycerium Superbum is indeed Captain Hansome. I have cacti and succulent envy. You have an amazing collection, Tracy
ReplyDeleteHi, sending a hug. It is always hard to say goodbye to a pet.
ReplyDeleteI love the slope combo.
Happy Last Week of October... I cannot believe it!