Dirtbag

 If I had my own nursery or little plant shop, that's what I'd call it.  Dirtbag.  I seem to have gone from dawdling around the garden to having real things "to do".  Isn't that always the way?  I'm fine with that, I'm restless without it. Imagine my surprise, when I walked out this morning and saw this pink bloom? 

Surprise, because don't those unopened buds look yellow/orange? Either way, it's a nice pop of brightness in a somewhat shady spot.  I have my preferences, but honestly I don't "hate" any one color. Currently working on the back corner. Crunch crunch down the path, we've got some cloud cover this morning. 

I really need to pick-up some more stain for the fence today. 

Ivan noticed that most things were not showing much root development under the pepper tree.  The litter makes the top soil really light and weird. He mentioned the pepper tree is likely allelopathic (suppresses the growth of other plants in the area).  I'll be scooping some of that soil off, and adding bagged top soil as I plant. He removed some Agave 'Blue Flame' from congested areas in the back garden (they were just TOO BIG). These can be considered weeds in S. Calfornia, but I think they're beautiful.  And not as stabby so I can clean debris without needing bandaids afterward.  

A little worn from my rolling it up the slope, but they are tough. 

I'm also moving a few Agave americana v. medio-picta 'Alba' over - I guess it's Agave corner now.  Agave americana are actually one of the plants that takes the debris of CA pepper trees in stride!  *Also, 2 Leucadendron argenteum trees in the corner, they were in a too shady spot and are growing all wonky.  I'll be spending the summer dragging the hose to this far corner to make sure they don't dry out.  For the transition period only, they are drought tolerant.

Sadly, I had one too many - I can't have it too matchy-matchy.  My method for getting the heavy clump in the bin, tip the can over & scootch it in. And LIFT! It worked, 10 more lbs. and I might not have been able to lift it.  

Whatever will I put in the empty spots?

The agaves were really getting beat-up by the path here, since I drag the wheelbarrow through often.  I can't decide if I'll mound soil and plant OR do a collection of pots? 

Speaking of pots! Loree recently had a zoom talk on container gardening. This fantastically coincided with a great deal on some pots at the Plant and Pottery Outlet in Sunol.  I was so inspired!  I've been wanting to add more tropical big leafed plants around the upper deck by the pool.  So last summer began gathering colocasia clumps, bromeliads, bananas, etc.  So I got to work! 

This is a work in progress, theres nothing really growing much yet ha ha ha.  Hopefully in a month I'll have foliage to show for it!  Loree's displays are something else... Tour of back garden '25

Clearance Colocasia Royal Hawaiian? Is so happy to be out of the dark corner of the clearance section at Ace Hardware, it's saying thank you before the others. Unfurl Baby, Unfurl!

I haven't done an official container count, I think Loree said her current count was 376? if I remember correctly - I probably don't. I changed my mind and moved the restio to the front corner of the house, easier to water.  *Note to self, this needs reworking. 

The meteor is one big container, with multiple planting holes.  Things planted in the holes are mostly working out, I did have an arenaria kick the bucket. Sempervivum looks good.

Agave kavandivi.  I read this is a small agave, but now I'm reading conflicting info that they can get large.  I'm going to let it play out.

This little Rebutia is happy in the meteor. 

Another Rebutia, I love this one.  The texture reminds me of a smart tweed suit or skirt.  Pose Baby, Pose!

Well done, Doctor.  

Have a great weekend! 

One last share - Palo verde, Desert Museum tree is lovely and difficult to photograph. Close-up.