Glow

On our return home, we had 2 days of dense FOG blocking out the sun.  Very rare for around here, we're inland from the Bay. It was chilly, so I kept myself busy by spiffing up the house for Christmas.  Banksia, acacia & eucalyptus branches made a nice holiday-ish messy display.    

When the skies cleared Tuesday, and the sun was shining LET ME OUT -ahhhh, pure joy!  

I untangled a couple of strings of Christmas lights for the outside, covered the walls of the shade house- and snapped a few shots to share.  Golden barrel.

Yucca linearfolia.  

And another light catching grassy thing, xanthorrhoea preisii.  Slow growing Western Australian grass tree. 

Banksia integrifolia, these are so hard to photograph.  The underside of the leaves are very silvery.  Nope, doesn't show in photos.

Well, I keep trying - lol.

Nothing better than backlit Cleistocactus strausii, I'm a fool for fuzzy plants.

a beacon for slugs & snails.  I've POURED sluggo all around this area, ugh, Massonia pustulata.

This was purchased on clearance, no tag -but I'm certain it is mostly Aloe rubroviolacea. 

Honorable mentions, this ground orchid has been blooming for 6? months now.  Thriving on complete neglect.

I need to chop this Cuphea as it's overtaking the agave & aloe striata.  But the exuberance does make me laugh when I walk by. Plus the hummingbirds are feasting, this area is up for grabs for a re-do come spring. 

Lastly, my love for Regelia velutina.  The soft little leaves shimmer.  I thought this was a goner, as I planted it in full sun (which it wants) from the get go, what doesn't kill you and all.  It has made a nice turnaround! 

I have purchased exactly one Christmas present.  I guess I should get on that.  Do you have your shopping done already?  I'm in awe of people who have it all done months early.  If only everyone wanted a cactus for Christmas, that would make my shopping easier.   :)