Burrrr!

There is a definite chill in the air and it is FABULOUS!!!

A cold front rolled in yesterday and is supposed to stick around for a while.  It is so pretty outside right now and feels fantastic.

Before I get to any of the shots I got this morning, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to J Peterson Garden Design , Rock Rose, and Sharing Nature's Garden for the write up's they did on the nursery!  

If you have not read their blog entries on us, please click on their link.

The 'Grassy Lassie' Aloe is stunning.  It has blooms all over it.  

The Possumhaw's berries are starting to turn- this is such a very cool tree.  The berries turn red (they have just started to turn, they will get more red) and then they drop their leaves so you have these sticks with berries.  They are similar to the American Beautyberry which does the same thing but those are purple and look more like little grape clusters (also very pretty).

The Ocotillo is mesmerizing to me.  I love the striations on the branches.  

The fruit of the Pineapple Guava. I have never tried it but I have heard many people find it tasty.  Maybe this year I will give it a go.

The Pyracantha berries are turning as well.  Like it or not fall is coming, or is here.... just ask the plants. ( I for one am ready! )

Salvia Wars

First of all, I do not know what this is- a moth of sorts it looks like.  Can anyone identify?  Either way, he was very fascinating to me so I ran and got the camera.

 He was all over the salvia.

 I thought it was so cool how I could see his proboscis.

 I was totally mesmerized watching him.

Here is a shot of his back side.  He was all about the salvia.  Well, apparently someone didn't like that much..... out of the blue came this hummingbird who proceeded to chase him.  It was bizarre to watch.  They were going so fast- I tried to get a shot of the chase, but was unable. 

 Here is the hummingbird after chasing him off, going to the salvia.

Either I got the hummingbird or the moth (?) but never both in focus on the same frame.  

The hummingbird would swoop down and chase him, then go to the salvia for a while, then go hang out on the branch and watch for a minute then go right back to chasing him off.  It was so fun to watch.  

 Here he is on his lookout.  He would get so close to me I could have touched him.  It was so fun.

 See- like here- only the hummingbird was in focus.

 Hope you enjoy the shots.

GBBD October 2011

 Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!!!

The Leonotis is blooming away in the front bed.  I love it when they get two and three little "lion's heads" on them.  (They call it a Lion's Tail, but to me I think it should be a Lion's Head.....)

 The Fairy Dusters seem happy- we just planted a new bed up earlier this week and this is in there and appears to be quite content.

 The Mexican Flame Vine is such a bright and happy vine- on certain days the entire fence is a solid orange- LOVE IT!   This particular shot has some of the Purple Fountain Grass blooms in it- I planted one in that bed- hopefully it will last through the winter but if not I like the way it has looked in there the last few months and looking forward to enjoying it while I can.

 The Mexican Bush Sage is blooming away- a good ol' standby.

 I love the classic look of the Iceberg Rose.  It seems happy and thriving in the side bed.

 The Bower Vine is taking off on the fence and blooming away.

The Butterfly Bush - what is there to say- there is no wonder that the vibrant purple attracts the butterflies.

 The Bougainvillea is stunning and I love the variegated leaves on this variety.  Very unique.

 The Thyrallis and the Mystic Spires Salvia looks so beautiful together.  They both are thriving in the front bed.   

 And without further ado- introducing Bosephus.  He joined us last week and at first Huey was not very polite but has seemed to leave him alone now.  I was about to put Huey in the corner!  I was told to "change up the environment in the tank" so I did and I do believe it helped.  Everyone seems to be getting along.

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.

Dragon Bloom!

The Dragon Fruit blooms opened up this morning- they are absolutely stunning!  I have been watching this plant all week in anticipation and it was worth the wait!

Here is a shot of the bloom before it opened taken earlier this week.

We have other colors - stay posted for their blooms!