tz_garden

I've been drifting around, not having one project to work on.  Which makes me restless.  The weather has been insane, 80°'s -zero complaints from me.  Last weekend, we had a family BBQ.  Sophia had work to finish up Friday afternoon, so we tried to mostly leave her alone 😆.  Ivan and I started work on the "Tower of Tropical Glory" which has been neglected since last year.  A few days prior, I had an a-ha moment that it should be filled with easy plants that will thrive, like epiphyllums. So if it dries out for a bit, it's no big D.  The very NEXT morning, I read  Gerhard 's post about Steve Super Gardens .  And quickly ordered a few epiphyllums (and a few other things ;).  Ivan popped that bromeliad in as a topper, it immediately decided to push a bloom.  Yes, it looks a little "crafty" at the moment.  I have faith.  The base part of the tower has staghorn ferns... and this little purple blooming orchid branch we stuck in...

 I always seem to seriously underestimate the amount of time it takes to clean up the patio and get it looking "summer ready".  We've had an incredibly early heatwave, making it feel like we skipped Spring altogether!  Maybe an odd combo, but potted Euphorbia cooperi and Sunburst Aeonium bring me joy.  I really got to work out there, shop vacc-ing the patio crevices and planting this and that to get it off the dining table.  I did NOT take proper before pics.  So, I'll show the afters. Usually we had this couch placed behind the dining table (we bought it for a Rinella family reunion for extra seating for all those Italians Sicilians).  I didn't like it back there, no view and it's just dumb.  So I split the couch up, this spot has a view across the back garden and the pool.  Backed up a little. The sitting "view", and it's already getting messy haha.  Float chairs & hose out.  Oh well. Of course, I see now Dr. Feelgood is snoo...

 I was recently having a discussion with myself, if I actually enjoyed the anticipation of plants blooming more than the actual bloom?  I have plenty of plants that don't bloom at all -or they are dying when they do, and I LOVE THEM. Spikes, foliage and fuzziness being the focal point of plants is underrated. Not a bloom, but a cool spider web in the sun.  Some are obvious. She's good for one thing!   I like Aloe speciosa's early bud racemes better before they open.  Still, gorgeousness. And the plant itself tilts it's head toward the sun - making it cool year round.  Leucospermum 'Brandi'  Middle-ish of open? Personal favorite. I can't be the only one who prefers the pre-show of Leucospermum?  Aloe rupestris, bud at it's very beginning stage. And currently shooting mostly above the plant. Beschorneria septentrionalis I'll admit, this is getting MORE exciting. Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom' -I don't have a before or after, it's just ...