Shiftless Observations

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 a few months back rooted right into the grow pole. Ivan had the great idea of plunking more orchids in with landscape pins. I like the idea of all those roots attaching and climbing every which way.  I'm excited to see it fill in!

Current status of Beschorneria yuccoides Flamingo Glow.

It's fun to go out in the morning and check on it.

Close-up. I would guess it's about 4'+ tall?

I also ordered a couple mangaves from Steve Super.  Front 'Black Widow' back 'Watercolor' -even more gorgeous than I expected.  I promptly put them right in the ground,  the roots were in great shape.  They didn't travel far, so I didn't take the precaution of potting them.  

Whiplash-Front garden: To the right of our drive, facing the street.  We have a small hellstrip square featuring a streetlamp. Our side merges with the neighbors grass.  When I was ripping apart the front, I threw all these iris over there.  Her side gets copious amounts of water every day, so drought tolerant plants aren't happy.  Until I decide what the finalized version is for this postage stamp, the sword-y leaves are fine.  

Seriously, it puddles up there.  She's a lovely lady, and her "landscapers" handle this so it is what it is.

And in other front garden news, I have all these rando things popping up that I missed in the clearing out stage.  It was inevitable, and is more funny than annoying.  I'll continue to pull things out 😁.

Banksia nivea is bursting with new zippers.  

Agave quiotepecensis from Hidden Agave.  Mid winter I accidentally sat on it.  Ha ha ha, I was adjusting a cover over this area and got off balance and "took a seat".  I think it's slowly recovering and maybe straightening out?  The yellowing is definitely sunstress, the future leaves will be able to deal with the sun. 

I love a good nestle. 

And lastly, Aloe rupestris - from about a week ago.

and just now, on fire.

Happy weekend!  Whatcha doin' for Easter?