I Still Can't Believe It's November!!!

I still can't believe it is November.  Where has the time gone?  I wanted to show a few blooms and things that have been looking pretty as of late.  The Lion's Tail is one of my favorite blooms.  I think it is so funny they call it a Lion's Tail when to me it looks like a lions head!  The little blooms are so unique yet be careful, they are a little spiky too.  The hummingbirds love this plant as well which came as a surprise to me to see them on it. 

 Another good ol' stand by is the American Beautyberry.  This time of year the berries turn this vibrant purple and if the birds don't get all the berries when the leaves drop in the winter you have these beautiful sticks of purple berries!   I had a comment recently on our Facebook page that someone found the berries in the raccoon poop!  Who knew raccoons liked this too?!?!

The Peruvian Cereus bloom never ceases to stop me in my tracks.  This plant needs to be protected/brought in in the winter time here in Austin but is well worth it.  The blooms are amazing.  They are huge- not sure if you can tell but they are huge.  This photo was taken by my husband on his iPhone.  Great shot I thought!!  Especially from a phone!!

I never get tired of seeing these little guys and I always have to stop and look at them.  They are just so animated and so cute.  I saw a few babies running around yesterday.  I went to grab the camera but they had moved on.

 This little fuzzy Kalanchoe sent up a bloom spike.  I think I ended up liking the spike more than the bloom itself....

And alas, my little helper sleeping between two pots.

Cactus Love (and a few other things...)

A few shots of some of the cactus and such as of late that have stood out. 

 The 'Lady Slippers' Pedlianthus are blooming- these to me are such cool plants- they do these small petite little "blooms" which look like ladies slippers and then make this little pod. 

 The Peruvian Cereus are busy making their fruit.  In a few shots you can see them a few days later starting to ripen.  Another name for this is the Peruvian Apple.  

 What's not to love about this little guy?  The Santa Rita pad grew like a heart!  It isn't entirely uncommon but always really neat when it happens. 

 The San Pedro Cactus are growing like crazy.  They don't seem to mind the heat.

 A shot of the Peruvian Cereus fruit about a week later- they are really interesting tasting if you have not- almost kiwi like. 

This little guy was hanging out today- he was so funny making all these sounds. I dind't want to bother him too much so I snapped a few shots and let him be.

Hope all is well with everyone!!! 

Happy GBBD!!!!!!

Happy GBBD to everyone!!!  Thanks to May Dreams Gardens for hosting!  There is so much going on and blooming right now- it is such a fun time of year and the weather these past few days!!!!  Oh my gosh- LOVE IT.  The Peruvian Cereus never cease to amaze and wow me - this particular day I guess cause it was cloudy this weekend, it stayed open a lot longer than normal which was fine by me!

 The Black Eyed Susan has such a pretty happy bloom.

 The American Beautyberries are turning color and attracting all the birds- so fun to watch them pick at the berries. 

 The Crinum bloom has always been a favorite.  So unique

 Another sure sign fall is here in Austin, the Stick of Fire are starting to turn.

 I like how it resembles a little heart on the top of this cactus.

 The Antigonon have long been a favorite but I do have a preference for the white, though the pink is really pretty….. white…pink…white…pink… how to decide?

 These little guys are all over the Milkweed as well as are their new temporary "homes".

 I captured this shot and basically right after he jumped and I thought it was on my head- took a minute to figure out he was on a different leaf of the Agave…. little spooky….

 The Fall Aster are rockin' and rollin'.

 The Mexican Flame Vine never disappoint.

 The Pineapple Guava are LOADED with fruit.  Love it!!!!

Hope you have enjoyed shots of what is going on lately.   Hope everyone is having a great fall.

Tuesday Tidbits

The Cereus have bloomed- this is one of about 50 more blooms to come- they are completely loaded with blooms.  I have never seen them so full of blooms.  This week I have been arriving early just so I can see them all.  Today one is open, looks like about 4 will be waiting for me in the morning.  The bees are already at work and happy.

This is such an interesting Kalanchoe to me- it looks like a Venus Fly Trap.  We have several Kalanchoes but this is the most interesting I think.

I am happy to report that the front bed is full of the ice plant and the Calandrinia that I planted in there in February is big and full and happy.  I can't wait for it to bloom again.  I am still happy with this arrangement- everything in this bed is happy and getting along beautifully.

The Large Cigar Plants are beginning to bloom- I have been waiting to see these in person and it was worth the wait. No wonder they call this variety Candy Corn!

The Yellow Trumpet Vine is thriving and full of blooms- I like the orange one as well but the yellow is stunning to me.

And last but not least is a shot of my latest arrangement - I must admit I am happy with the way it turned out.  I like how the colors all seem to bounce off each other.  I have the St. Elmo Firecracker Ferns at the front, the Yucca rigida behind, then the Salvia Black and Blue then the Thyrallis.  Behind the Thyrallis is the Bottle Brush which started coming into bloom yesterday. 

A Few Favorites

 The Mexican Bird of Paradise is loving this weather.

 The Peruvian Cereus are full of blooms- totally loaded.  Makes me want to get here early every morning so I can see all the blooms!

 The Barbados Cherry are so pretty and blooming away.  I had never heard of this plant before and I love it- course I am partial to pink....

 The Brakelights Yuccas are stunning- they are a vibrant red, unlike the red yucca which I think is more pink.

 My all time hands down favorite Texas Sage is this one with the white flowers.  I Think it is so simple yet classic.  

And last but not least is the Podranea Vine; it is quickly becoming a favorite.  They have a beautiful weeping habit.  They are light and almost "flowy" if that were a word.