Where Does the Time Go???

 I can't believe it is already November!  Where does the time go??

Here is one of my most favorite combos I have done lately.  I think I am the happiest with this collection at least right now.....

 

I am posting some of the beautiful things that have been blooming lately- I love this time of year, I guess that is where the time has gone, I have been outside and not at the computer!

The Mexican Mint Marigold are STUNNING - full of color and the scent of licorice.

 It is fall, so true to the name, the Fall Aster are blooming like mad.

 The Mexican Flame Vine on the back fence is blooming away- I took this like a week ago but it is as beautiful if not more so right now- the Antigonon is mixed in with it and both are growing happily on fence in the full sun.

 The Mountain Sage is full of blooms.

 The Spanish Lavender are an old time favorite of mine.  Tried and true- I just love them.  Such an intricate bloom- they are just gorgeous. 

 The Lion's Tail are blooming- I can't decide if I like them like this the best or when they are in full bloom.  The Monarchs have been all over these today also.  I tried to get a photo but only had my phone with me today and they didn't come out very clear so I didn't include.

 The Firespikes are starting to bloom- I LOVE these- they are such great plants for the shade too with a HUGE bloom and burst of color. 

 here is one of the pots I put together showing off the Lions Tail.  Such a great plant. 

 Here is little miss thing being lazy.  Too cute- had to share.

And to follow, little Coop mimicking her- they are so neglected, you almost feel sorry for them.

Fun with the Hummingbirds!!

The hummingbirds were OUT!  

Here is one working over the Vitex.  I don't think I have ever seen them on the Vitex before, but it was certainly a hit this week.

There were three that were dipping and fluttering and whizzing by me.  I just stood there and watched.   This little guy's perch was on the fence by the Antigonon.  He would whiz by work over a few plants then go sit there and hang out.

This guy's little perch was on a string.  It was so cute.  He was bouncing up and down on the string.  I have so many shots of him balancing himself.  It was cute to watch.

Then he'd go work over the Turk's Cap and return to the string.

 Not the best shot but you can see the vibrant red which is so pretty!!!  So does that mean this is the male?  I am clueless on things like that!!

 Here's the other one working over the Salvia leucantha- a tried and true hummingbird favorite.

 Here is a shot of the second one from the front- not a great picture
but that red just screams at you- love it!!!

 This bed is like a hummingbird's fantasy- we have so many things in there they love- next to the Salvia  leucantha is the Salvia 'Silke's Dream' which they adore, I couldn't get good angles on them on that one from where I was and didn't want to move around too much.

I did get this shot of one with a little bee as well- wasn't going for that but though it was a neat shot.

All of the shots I had with two or three at the same time were blurry so I don't have any of those to post.  They were having so much fun- not sure who had a better time, me watching them or them playing. 

Happy GBBD!!!!

 Happy GBBD!!!

I thought I'd start out with the Passion Vine.  They are blooming on the fence like crazy.  They are absolutely stunning.  This particular one is the Ruby Glow.  

 The Shrimp Plant are an often overlooked but very pretty flower.  We have them in yellow too though I prefer the orange.

 I was going to take a photo of the ice plant and the Tecoma (Yellow Bells, aka Esperanza), in the front bed but I thought it all looked so pretty together I took a shot of it all to share.  

 I thought this shot looked prettier as a whole than as individuals so I thought I'd include this one of the other side of the above bed.  It is of the Thryallis, Bougainvillea, Brazilian Pavonia and Indigo Spires peeking in the background. 

 The Palo Verdes are still blooming.   They remind me of Scottsdale.

 The Yellow Yuccas are blooming away in the desert bed as well. 

 Alongside the Yuccas is the Trailing Rosemary which is blooming right now- hard not to like a Rosemary.

 The Russian Sage in that bed are in full bloom as well- I like how they are so muted. 

 The Agastache is a tried and true favorite of mine (and the hummingbirds).

 The Mexican Flame Vine are bursting with color all over the fence...

 ...along with the Antigonon. 

 The 'Grassie Lassie' Aloes are blooming and enjoying this cooler weather.

 The Podranea Vine are a subtle yet beautiful vine. 

 The often overlooked yet bursting with color as if screaming for attention, the Purple Heart are blooming alongside the silver Dykia's. 

And last but not least, the Madame Galen's are blooming away.  I have found people either love or hate this vine.  It can get a little large.... but in the right place I think it is stunning.

Thank you May Dreams Garden for hosting.  Please visit her blog at May Dreams Gardens and look at all the other GBBD blogs!!

Happy GBBD June 2012!

Happy GBBD June 2012!

 I have to admit, today was rushed.  I didn't realize it was the 15th and I have had about 3 seconds to take pictures lately so I grabbed the camera and snapped some shots - hope you enjoy!  Sorry if it seems a little thrown together but all shots were shot this morning between customers, but I got it done!!!

Above- I started out at the front gate and went from there, the Kalanchoe in the front planter is blooming- love that little guy!!!

The front outside bed has Globe Mallow going nuts with color- one of my favorites- easy tough little plant. 

 The Cholla is blooming in the front bed as well, as is the Mexican Bird of Paradise (below).

 The Shrimp Plant and the Thyrallis are blooming away in the front sign beds.  

 As is the Brazilian Pavonia.  The Birds of Paradise next to the fence are bursting with color- both plantings of it- love that stuff!!!  

 The little Blackfoot Daisy are happy as can be in the "desert bed" along with the Palo Verde- those little yellow blooms are like saucers!  You can see them from far away!

 The Tecoma and the American Beautyberry are doing their thing in the side bed. 

 The Antigonon is covering the fence and blooming away- such subtle sweet little blooms.

 And next to the Antigonon is the Mexican Flame Vine, a personal favorite and hard one to beat- such vibrant color!!!!  

 The Rock Rose Pavonia and Cigar Plant are happy and blooming in the side bed as well, I featured more on this bed this time as it always seems to get skipped.

 The Turk's Cap out front is coming into bloom again and this little guy below was watching me today as I was pruning the Pavonia- had to let you all see him- he was so funny- he kept hopping from leaf to leaf following me.  Just glad he didn't hop on me!!!! I know he is small but I still didn't want a spider on me.....  His green eyes were cool though.

 And just a shot of the front pot by the door- I am happy with the planting- everything is filling in and doing well.

Hope everyone had/has a great GBBD!!!!  Thanks to May at May Dreams Gardens for hosting.