Blooming this Week

A lot going on this week - blooms galore and as you will see at the end.... a little news.

The Golden Saguaro, Neobuxbaumia polylopha, earlier in the morning.
The bloom is opened up more. This is such a beautiful bloom in person.  The cactus is about 4 1/2 feet tall so it is hard to see the tops of it but it is stunning, they are stunning.  

The Caesalpinia, Pride of Barbados are blooming like crazy.  We have two large clumps along the fence lines that are in full bloom and beautiful. 

The Salvia 'Silke's Dream' are vibrant red and very popular with the hummingbirds this week.

The Cassia corymbosa have busted into full bloom and are beautiful.  These are great little trees.  

 

The Monarchs are all over the Milkweed.  I love watching them- there are butterflies all over the place but I am partial to the Monarchs.

And here we have, well, he doesn't have a name yet.  I pick him up tomorrow.  I can't wait.  Name to follow soon.  It took me a while to be ready for another dog but I am and he is precious.  

Still Can't Believe it's August

 Where does the time go?  I mean I feel like I looked up and it is August 10th.  Crazy.  Thought I'd post a few pics of what has been pretty lately while walking around and let you in on my bloom watch.  The Golden Saguaro Cactus are getting ready to bloom and I can't wait!!!!  

 Here it is about a week ago.

This is yesterday- they are all coming along at about the same speed.  

Hopefully it will open soon!!!!

 Here is a shot of the White Society Garlic I took - it is so pretty.  So delicate.  Love it.

The Evergreen Wisteria (which isn't always evergreen....) is blooming away- 

such a vibrant bold purple.

 The Sesbania 'Rattlebox" is loaded with blooms.  The hummingbirds are all over it but I am not sure if they are getting anything from it- I think they are more frustrated with it than anything.   They have been hanging out on it's branches and then go and dive bomb other flowers.  

 The Duranta 'Sapphire Showers' are loaded with blooms and are so pretty. 

And Last but not least - one of the coolest things we have right now in my opinion, the Cork Oak.  They make corks from these trees.  How cool is that????  I love the bark.  And it's squishy! 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Just a little personal update- happy to report that I got the "all clear" from my doctors last week and I couldn't be happier.  I was diagnosed as many of you know with breast cancer the end of last year and had surgery and then radiation and am thrilled to report just got the news and am now cancer free.  I can not thank the doctors at MD Anderson, Houston, enough.  I had a terrific team.  Woo hoo!!!  Now that I am clear, expect to see more posts from me as I have been hanging out at the nursery more and more. Can't tell you how much I missed it!!!  Very therapeutic.