Shower
We are getting a bit of rain today. Why not let the Staghorn ferns that normally hang out under cover on the porch get a dusting off and good drenching of fresh rain? I removed them and put them on the mounds of soil to the left of the porch.
Just for fun, I looked for an earlier picture. The oldest one I found, July 2023 -I believe we had just had the house painted (the porch is SO CLEAN). Just a baby, unbelievable that in 2+ years it has grown taller than the window frame! Wow, do I need to clean the porch. 
I DID manage to take photos of the Veradek patina Selena planters FINALLY. I purchased these during a Black Friday sale. Veradek sent an offer for $15 off my next purchase, if I left a review of the Selena planters with a photo. Easy enough. I like them very much, light weight as they are made from a steel-plastic composite. 
A nice rainbow for the review photo. Gah, for a second I thought the tulip tree replanted itself! That's an illusion, that is actually the street side tree.
Well, why not get all the Corten steel things sitting around in cardboard boxes OUT so they can be exposed to the upcoming rain. I think I'll be using these in the hellstrip.
And then onto another project, I definitely did not complete. The gorgeous Arbutus 'Marina' tree in the slope. I dreamed of having a Strawberry tree way back when I lived in Portland. It's one of the first things I planted after we moved in. And I do love it, but it is MESSY. Proof, fruit in the "hot plunge" as my Dad always calls it. The pool has a vacuum, but the spa does not. 
Not to mention the crevices in the concrete get completely junked up with all the litter from the tree. I have to scrape it out, sweeping is futile. It is time for a severe haircut!
Round one.
This huge pile will have to go next week, my 2 green bins are full. My arms are sore!
I took the after just now, in the rain. It looks a bit butchered, hopefully it will forgive me and fill in. 
I hope you're all enjoying the weekend. Whether that is being productive or not, anyone perusing seed catalogs or plants for spring? 💚💚💚
I've been working outside most afternoons, but don't feel like I'm completing any task I start. It's kind of driving me crazy! It is winter tho, so that's just the way it is.
Not Mr. Handsome tho, he's too big for me to move. Platycerium superbum
I love the underside of the apron, with it's rich brown spore patches.
I chopped & cleaned up after 3 big branches cut. Then decided I hadn't removed enough.
Round Two.
Congratulations on getting more rain. I was not expecting the amount of Arbutus pruning at the end - no wonder you are tired. One of our Arbutus is just starting to achieve size, so I've started pruning it to get a decent shape before it gets as large as yours. It seems to be a fairly slow-growing variety though, so that's a plus. I haven't started perusing seed catalogs yet. I was sort of hoping for another 2-3 months of winter break, but that ain't going to happen. It's still warm and rainy and the spring bulbs are coming up!
ReplyDeleteYou are smart to stay on top of it, I wish I had. I'm thinking of starting some seeds this week, I need to organize everything first. Yes, it really has been a warm start to winter!
Deletewish I was there help with the tree trimming, looks great! - Ivan
ReplyDeleteYou would've sliced through those big branches like a hot knife through butter! You've done enough tree trimming for me lately :). Thanks Ivan!
DeleteMr Handsome looks terrific! My experience is that Arbutus 'Marina' handle a hard pruning well, although I eventually handed off even pruning of the smallest of my 4 trees to the tree service. Here, those trees need annual pruning of the interior canopies to prevent mildew from developing on their foliage.
ReplyDeleteI need to get serious about budgeting for tree trimming. If only the trees next to us in the fire lane were serviced regularly. I get more mess from trees that aren't even mine. Mildew, wow I didn't see any. Although we usually have very low humidity, that must keep it under control.
DeleteThere are moments when you start a lot of projects. There are moments when you're in the midst of may projects. And there are moments when you seem to finish everything. If you're wishing for a finishing moment, just think how you'll feel when you're in it (and wondering what you'll do next).
ReplyDeleteI love this comment, and you are SO entirely correct. :)
DeleteMr. Handsome sure is stunning and, wow, he's grown so much! I think you're working too hard, but in your climate I'd probably be doing the same thing. By the way, I'll be right over for a swim in your pool. ;-)
ReplyDelete