Flora & Fauna

'Twas a muggy weekend until last night when a cool weather system blew in off the Pacific Ocean. The muggy system wasn't happy with being bullied eastward and fought back with a vengeance. The ensuing flashes and rumbles woke us but the sound of gentle rainfall lullabyed us back to sleep. Like California, we need rain so despite today's dreariness, no one seems to be complaining. My hubby calls it "free water" for obvious reasons.   

The bloomers are a bloomin'.... 

Pelargonium (Geranium) 'Apple Blossom' is my favorite. Not easy to find,
I wintered it over to ensure I'd have it again. 

The California poppies really enjoy the sunshine. 

Oxalis crassipes is a happy camper!

Here it skirts (swallows) the terrestrial orchids Bletilla striata.
I think some amending might be in order.

Nierembergia blossoms from plants that successfully overwintered!

The first flowers from last year's purchase: Geranium 'Ann Thompson.'

Geranium 'Night Rider'

Geranium 'Jolly Bee' in the upper left hand corner
color-echoing the creeping Campanula.

Rosa 'Carefree Spirit'

Rosa 'Floral Carpet'
The whiskey barrel this plant was living in finally rotted.
It's new home, this vintage wheelbarrow, is placed in a more sunny location
and the results make me happy.

Rosa 'William Baffin' 

Rosa 'Cinco de Mayo' with 'Tiger Eyes' Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Rosa 'Jacques Cartier' soooo fragrant!

Clematis 'Ville de Lyon'

Clematis viticella 'Palette'

I love these little bells.

Clematis 'Niobe'

This Clematis leaf was almost a flower!

I'm so happy with Anemone 'Wild Swan'

Three Monkeys... Monkey Flowers, that is. (Mimulus)

Rodgersia 'Bronze Peacock' I thought it was dead because it was so s-l-o-w to leaf out.
But look at it now!

A few wide shots of the garden...

My youngest daughter is working on a pebble mosaic, hence the pans of rocks.

Phuopsis stylosa in full regalia.
When not in bloom, this plant smells like skunk.
I think it's time for it to go.

Rosa 'William Baffin' with white blooms of Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa' on the right.
The Hydrangea blooms will darken to pink, then red, then burgundy.
The Rose blossoms will wilt and fall off. :)

The shady area

The Fauna

This Red-Legged Frog lives in our outer pond.
Yesterday she decided to nap in this Hebe while wisps of Stipa gigantea flowers
rained down on her.

I was happy to see and even happier to photograph this baby Lady Beetle
having her aphid lunch.

This big guy was following me around the garden.
Funny, I don't look like a bug, do I?

I think maybe he just wanted to get on the Internet.

Finally, while working on this blog post, a pretty Red-Breasted Sapsucker
landed on my courtyard fountain, apparently a little thirsty.
Not the best photo but considering I took it through (dirty) glass, it's not too bad.  

I hope you're enjoying many peaceful hours in the garden.

Loving This Time of Year

ISN'T THIS TIME OF YEAR wonderful? The spring bloomers are gone now allowing me to spend time cleaning up and cutting back. I enjoy the instant gratification and sense of possibility that comes with this task. I've been so busy that I haven't taken very many photos lately. Here are a few I took a few weeks ago.     

Japanese Blood Grass, (Imperata cylindrica) likes moist soil. 

I've been keeping this clump watered and the results are gorgeous.

Carex 'Something or Other' (my term) looks good next to the Hypericum. 

This Lavatera looks great for 5 minutes.  Unfortunately, the old petals don't fall off
so by mid-season the plant is a mess. I'm digging it out.
I'll keep this nice photo as a memento of how pretty that five minutes is.  

My Clemmy 'Venosa Violacea' put on a stellar performance in June and July.
I cut it all down yesterday. If I keep it watered, it will grow and produce a second flush of flowers.

I'm loving my Acanthus mollis (Bear's Breeches) even if it's too shady for it to bloom. 

Oxalis crassipes likes to bend towards the sunlight and open its bazillion blossoms. 

Alstromeria is also on its second flush of blossoms.
Note the Persicaria amplexicaulis foliage threatening to encroach.

Sorry for the blurry photo but I must show off my Saponaria 'Max Frei.'
Morning sun and afternoon shade seem to be the best recipe for these blossoms. 

Recently, I succumbed to my plant-shopping whims and purchased this
tall, stately (and big blossomed) Scabiosa.
I got it planted this week after taking out one of my bazillon clumps
of Phlox 'David'--a plant that is planning to rule the world. 

I also purchased this sweet, perennial creeping Baby's Breath
that I believe is Gysophila repens 'Rosea' 

Here is a photo of the  the plants when I brought them home three weeks ago.
They're now twice as wide and blooming away in their new home on the side of a rock-line raised bed. 

This is the first flower on my Gardenia 'Frost Proof.'
Last week I counted 13 blossoms! I am so pleased with this plant.
I've never had a Gardenia perform so well. No bugs and loaded with blossoms.
Now if it lives up to its name and survives the winter, I'll be in heaven. 

Finally, a little evidence of my voyeurism with nature. I caught these two lovers
who couldn't seem to wait for a room. My photo is blurry but maybe it was intentional
since it protects their identity. We wouldn't want to embarrass them. 

Keep happy in the garden everybody!