Winter Thingz

December 14, 2023

Mild it has been, yet still, December is quiet time around the yard. Some sleep, some creep, as the curtains fall on another year..

Even so, there is always some color around, and plenty of hints of things to come..

TX. Bluebonnets starting to put out true leaves..

California's " Bluebonnet, L. nanus as well.

Desert Chicory..

Baby Blue Eyes

Partridge Pea

..Been warm enough to stimulate germination / maintain growth of some late season Kalstroemia grandiflora against a south-facing wall.. We'll see how long they hang on.

Hard to tell in the shot, but, rest of the main bed looking good for now as well, though some areas didn't fill in as much as i'd hoped. Know what i'll need to do to remedy that next year.

Added a couple small " Sand Trap " beds out closer to the sidewalk.. While seed will come up through the gravel, some stuff seems to germinate better on areas of open, smaller- sized grit / sand.

TX Bluebonnet, Lupinus sparsiflorus, ..our local " Bluebonnet ", Owl's Clover, and Notch-leaf Phacelia ( P. crenulata ) planted out there. No planting of Lantana, Roses, or any of that goofy Big Box generic winter color stuff here.

This year's crop of Goodding's Verbena starting to pop out there as well. While this sp. is typically perennial, last summer's heat / abysmal lack of rain killed the adult plants in the bed.. No worries, these reliably re-seed themselves very well. Should look great w/ the Lupinus sps, and Owl's Clover ( if they pop )

Penstemon superbus ( possibly both plants. One closest may be P. parryi if not. ) waking up. Lost the Palmer's Penstemon over the summer unfortunately.. Guess Phoenix area heat is too much heat for these.. May try from seed next year, just to see if that makes any difference.. Heat zapped the P. ambiguus i was trialing in the same bed as well..

Salvia coccinea.. Heat / lack of rain took out most of these growing in the shade bed.. That or this particular strain may be short-lived. Plenty of seedlings popping up atm though so no worries.

Salvia pinguifolia, back to looking nice again ( looked quite rough through the summer )

Cowpen Daisies

Malvaviscus drummondii

Eriogonum fasciculatum.. Another tough native that gets through the summer looking hot and kinda ugly, but perks up nicely once it cools down.

Anisacanthus andersonii Jusstt starting to bud up..

Aloysia gratissima. Grew like a weed this past year / is still adding growth atm. ( Hard to see in the shot but the top is about to eclipse the top of the 6ft tall wall behind it. ) Because i want it more upright as it fills out so low growth doesn't block a sprinkler head near it, trimmed off all the low-leaning growth from last year. When the wind blows from the right direction, can smell these from the front door when in flower, despite individual flowers being tiny. Flowers have basically the same buttery Vanilla / Nutmeg / Clove scent as Sweet Almond Bush ( Same Family )

Plumeria X " Celadine " looking good from " Plumeria Jail " ...despite some chilly mornings. " Jail Bars " ..and nearby thorny barrier " Cat Deterrent " working as designed so far.

Some natural, spicy " Holiday Lights " via this year's Chili-Pequin Pepper crops.

Marlberry, just past peak bloom...

...While the Yellow Necklacepod starts budding.

Just cold enough atm to bring out some fall color as Thurber's Cotton takes a nap..

Same w/ what foliage was left hanging on Bursera fageroides

And the white flowered Pseudobombax ellipticum. Pinkies are still green, even after greeting some chilly mornings..

Winter Sunflower #1 at, and past peak bloom.. Particular variety apparently likes to lean over as the seed develops ( Maybe it's telling me to water more, lol ) .. No worries, seed from these is for the birds.. Now that the sprinklers will handle watering things, all red / orange / bi- colored varieties planned for the " Sunflower Strip " next summer.

Lovin' those Fuzzy Phyllaries...

As you can see, more on the way, despite the chill.

..As the " Flames of Autumn " sang their swan song and are removed as they die down.

A new challenge for '24, before the new year even begins.. Rare and hard to find CA native which barely reaches into S.D. county.. Grabbed seed while it was available. Only trialing 3 seeds since it's hard to say whether or not it will even survive here.. Likes heat and dry but, will it put up with our heat ..and dry.. You'll know what it is ... if -or when- ... it makes it past the summer to come.. Plenty of seed for the future, even if seed will become more available later.

Seed scratched..

Planted, into a 3gal since it dislikes being transplanted, and will be able to handle the heat ahead better than starting off in 1 gals. ..Likes it's " dirt " crunchy / chunky, well draining, and Granite- based.

..Crossing fingers...

Edited December 14, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
edit

December 16, 2023

On 12/15/2023 at 10:15 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Mild it has been, yet still, December is quiet time around the yard. Some sleep, some creep, as the curtains fall on another year..

Even so, there is always some color around, and plenty of hints of things to come..

TX. Bluebonnets starting to put out true leaves..

California's " Bluebonnet, L. nanus as well.

Desert Chicory..

Baby Blue Eyes

Partridge Pea

..Been warm enough to stimulate germination / maintain growth of some late season Kalstroemia grandiflora against a south-facing wall.. We'll see how long they hang on.

Hard to tell in the shot, but, rest of the main bed looking good for now as well, though some areas didn't fill in as much as i'd hoped. Know what i'll need to do to remedy that next year.

Added a couple small " Sand Trap " beds out closer to the sidewalk.. While seed will come up through the gravel, some stuff seems to germinate better on areas of open, smaller- sized grit / sand.

TX Bluebonnet, Lupinus sparsiflorus, ..our local " Bluebonnet ", Owl's Clover, and Notch-leaf Phacelia ( P. crenulata ) planted out there. No planting of Lantana, Roses, or any of that goofy Big Box generic winter color stuff here.

This year's crop of Goodding's Verbena starting to pop out there as well. While this sp. is typically perennial, last summer's heat / abysmal lack of rain killed the adult plants in the bed.. No worries, these reliably re-seed themselves very well. Should look great w/ the Lupinus sps, and Owl's Clover ( if they pop )

Penstemon superbus ( possibly both plants. One closest may be P. parryi if not. ) waking up. Lost the Palmer's Penstemon over the summer unfortunately.. Guess Phoenix area heat is too much heat for these.. May try from seed next year, just to see if that makes any difference.. Heat zapped the P. ambiguus i was trialing in the same bed as well..

Salvia coccinea.. Heat / lack of rain took out most of these growing in the shade bed.. That or this particular strain may be short-lived. Plenty of seedlings popping up atm though so no worries.

Salvia pinguifolia, back to looking nice again ( looked quite rough through the summer )

Cowpen Daisies

Malvaviscus drummondii

Eriogonum fasciculatum.. Another tough native that gets through the summer looking hot and kinda ugly, but perks up nicely once it cools down.

Anisacanthus andersonii Jusstt starting to bud up..

Aloysia gratissima. Grew like a weed this past year / is still adding growth atm. ( Hard to see in the shot but the top is about to eclipse the top of the 6ft tall wall behind it. ) Because i want it more upright as it fills out so low growth doesn't block a sprinkler head near it, trimmed off all the low-leaning growth from last year. When the wind blows from the right direction, can smell these from the front door when in flower, despite individual flowers being tiny. Flowers have basically the same buttery Vanilla / Nutmeg / Clove scent as Sweet Almond Bush ( Same Family )

Plumeria X " Celadine " looking good from " Plumeria Jail " ...despite some chilly mornings. " Jail Bars " ..and nearby thorny barrier " Cat Deterrent " working as designed so far.

Some natural, spicy " Holiday Lights " via this year's Chili-Pequin Pepper crops.

Marlberry, just past peak bloom...

...While the Yellow Necklacepod starts budding.

Just cold enough atm to bring out some fall color as Thurber's Cotton takes a nap..

Same w/ what foliage was left hanging on Bursera fageroides

And the white flowered Pseudobombax ellipticum. Pinkies are still green, even after greeting some chilly mornings..

Winter Sunflower #1 at, and past peak bloom.. Particular variety apparently likes to lean over as the seed develops ( Maybe it's telling me to water more, lol ) .. No worries, seed from these is for the birds.. Now that the sprinklers will handle watering things, all red / orange / bi- colored varieties planned for the " Sunflower Strip " next summer.

Lovin' those Fuzzy Phyllaries...

As you can see, more on the way, despite the chill.

..As the " Flames of Autumn " sang their swan song and are removed as they die down.

A new challenge for '24, before the new year even begins.. Rare and hard to find CA native which barely reaches into S.D. county.. Grabbed seed while it was available. Only trialing 3 seeds since it's hard to say whether or not it will even survive here.. Likes heat and dry but, will it put up with our heat ..and dry.. You'll know what it is ... if -or when- ... it makes it past the summer to come.. Plenty of seed for the future, even if seed will become more available later.

Seed scratched..

Planted, into a 3gal since it dislikes being transplanted, and will be able to handle the heat ahead better than starting off in 1 gals. ..Likes it's " dirt " crunchy / chunky, well draining, and Granite- based.

..Crossing fingers...

Nice one I never did like the cold weather it’s to detrimental to tropical plants

December 16, 2023

1 minute ago, happypalms said:

Nice one I never did like the cold weather it’s to detrimental to tropical plants

Not here.. :greenthumb:

December 19, 2023

A few more thingzz...

helping our new neighbors get the back yard tidied up before new tenants move in at the start of the coming year gave me a chance to check on the Mesquites..

Bigger, " mistake " - planted 'Squite ( ..Because it isn't what i'd thought it was ..and some of the thorns are MASSIVE ) specimen chugging along.. Considering this past summer. 4 or 5 years old now and providing good overhead canopy that will only get better over the coming years

" Baby Beast " looking alright, though a little wonky atm..As younger mesquite like to do as they dig in at this stage. Another year or two ( esp. if the next two summers are better than this past year ) and it will straighten up and be on it's way to catching up with it's parent ( Background of shot #2 )

Funky, low branch trying to gre going on the left got lopped off.. Why? cuz' if you leave it, it will sap energy from the development of the overall tree.

Neighbor's ( Beyond the Alley ) Castor Bean ..Hate these, but at least they add some color this time of year.

Their Papaya .. Yep, too cold for these here... LOL Bare tree in front is one of their Figs.

December 24, 2023

You state:

"A new challenge for '24, before the new year even begins.. Rare and hard to find CA native which barely reaches into S.D. county.. Grabbed seed while it was available. Only trialing 3 seeds since it's hard to say whether or not it will even survive here.. Likes heat and dry but, will it put up with our heat ..and dry.. You'll know what it is ... if -or when- ... it makes it past the summer to come.. Plenty of seed for the future, even if seed will become more available later."

image.png.a5a9873f09212c86fa35a3c46f14d92f.png

It looks a little like a Jatropha, but not the right shape. I'm not aware of any species that are native to alta CA. Can you at least provide us with a clue to it's ID?

BTW, you have dropped another interesting "photo bomb".

I hope the holidays ahead are pleasant for you.

Hi 55°, Lo 46° Dec 23 .05"

December 24, 2023

4 hours ago, Tom in Tucson said:

You state:

"A new challenge for '24, before the new year even begins.. Rare and hard to find CA native which barely reaches into S.D. county.. Grabbed seed while it was available. Only trialing 3 seeds since it's hard to say whether or not it will even survive here.. Likes heat and dry but, will it put up with our heat ..and dry.. You'll know what it is ... if -or when- ... it makes it past the summer to come.. Plenty of seed for the future, even if seed will become more available later."

It looks a little like a Jatropha, but not the right shape. I'm not aware of any species that are native to alta CA. Can you at least provide us with a clue to it's ID?

BTW, you have dropped another interesting "photo bomb".

I hope the holidays ahead are pleasant for you.

Hi 55°, Lo 46° Dec 23 .05"

No snow, and not cold = ...A perfect end to '23 :greenthumb:

ID shall remain shrouded ..until the time is right.

January 1, 2024

An afternoon walk about another section of the hood ..and the yard ..on the final day of '23.

May be the dead of winter, but plenty of color to be enjoyed, if one stops to look ...and not obsess about imperfect weather, or the imperfections of the season ..Outside the Amazon or somewhere similar, it can get chilly at times, in winter.

The 3 P's ..Plumeria, Pomegranate, and Purple-Leaved Guava ( Hard to see in this shot, lol )

Podranea ricasoliana

Agave Patch in a planting bed near the newer Apartment complex around the corner.. Were more, but appears many of the " nicer " specimens of the A. parryi truncata and ....i forget atm, lol ( shot #2 ) pictured got hammered hard this past summer..

Agave ..someone, lol.

Last of the Cascalote finishing up for the year, at least around the neighborhood..

....As the alluring and exotic scent of early flowering Sweet Acacia specimens fills the air..

Random Mariosousa willardiana ...Possibly soon to be re-named ...or will it stay willardiana? and Stenocereus, ...i think..

Even at the bottom of the year, when the shadows are long, weather is cool, Ironwoods still look fantastic in winter afternoon light.

..What happens when they are pruned too much.. Them are some intimidating thorns'.

" WinterGreen ", Sonoran Desert Style... Palo Brea, and Hesperaloe funifera. Two angles..

H. funifera patch a bit closer.. Kind of interesting wandering around all these giants..

Dasylirion quadrangulatum ..or longissimum ..or whatever - umm -iss specimens.. lol.. A few look like they took a hit this past summer.

You have spines, but your leaves are quite thin ..Hmmmm..

D. texanum? possibly? ..Definitely not wheeleri.

Some Mexican Fence Posts.

A flower bud on one of the stems, in winter.. How 'bout dat..

Patch 'a Yucca pallida

Yucca ..something.. Want to say it may be Y. aloifolia, but not 100% certain. Plenty of those " Fun - to - deal - with, " tiny serrated teeth, but not as slice-y dicey -y as gigantea, ....Specimens i remember too well anyway, imo.

Firesticks 'N Gold Barrels ....w/ a lone Agave in there too ..Yheepp..

Agave vilmoriniana across from the hospital, on it's last legs.. Anyone in CA or here need some kiddos?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ......................

January 1, 2024

" Valentine " Emu Bush already flowering...

NOID random Composite ..Possibly one of the " Dog Weeds" Two Genus, Dyssodia and Adenophyllum share the common name, buutt not certain who is which, ..or is it which is who ..Deep Thoughtsss..

Texas Mtn. Laurel, gearing up for bloom-age soon..

..............................'Wintah 'colahh around the 'yhaad........................................................................................

Last of the Tansy Asters / Tahoka Daisy

Last of the Chromolaena

....As Colteria platyloba throws around some late fall shades..

Dyckia ...someone... adding some wickedly spiny Winter Color too..

....Plenty of color, as one cycle comes to an end....

.....Plenty of color on the way, as a new cycle begins, at dawn tomorrow..

Next to bloom of the " Winter " Sunflowers..

.....And last, but never least, ....the harbringer of warmer days ahead, and the arrival of " Pre- Spring " in the desert, just about ready to go..

...Gotta love the " Desert " ..and boring, nothing going on " Winter " LOL.. 😆

May the next leg of your journey ahead continue to be vivid and colorful, ....never dull, or clouded by a single shade. ...Even when you assume it may be

🤘 ....Enjoy!!... 🤘

January 4, 2024

...Hints ..of Spring ..2024....

Phacelia campanularia, starting to bloom, ahead of schedule. Late Jan. is usually when i see the first flowers of the season.

Kallstroemia grandiflora, Still flowering, wayy beyond their season.

Lupinus texanus, almost ready to bolt..

Lupinus nanus ..Also nearing the bolting stage of development.

Lupinus coulteri ..Much smaller ..and harder to see ( ....Since they blend in well w/ the native gravel / sand ) compared to the green Cotyledons on the other two Lupinus sps.

Rafinesquia neomexicana, at the start of their bolting cycle..

Berlandaria lyrata, aka: Chocolate Flower.

Ratibida columnifera seedlings at different stages of development. Skinny seedling on the lower left is likely something in the Borage / Fiddleneck family.

This year's crop of Verbesina encelioides ( encelioides = Resembling Encelia ( Brittlebush )

Sphaeralcea sp.. Seed collected up near Picketpost / Boyce Thompson.

Phacelia crenulata

Glandularia gooddingii

Penstemon superbus, flowers already on the way.

Annual Delphinium ..AKA " Larkspur " ..Interesting, to me at least.. how a majority of Ranunculus - family seedlings resemble each other at this stage of growth. Could be mistaken for some sps in both the Carrot and Mustard family too if you aren't experienced enough to tell the difference between each.

Chamaecrista fasciculata, hanging out among the Purple CA. Poppies..

Nemophila menziesii gearing up.

The nasty, un-wanted invasive Stinknet ( Oncosiphon pilulifer ) trying to pop up.. Torn out as seen.

Look - a - like Mustard- family non-native that isn't quite as bad of an invasive as Stinknet, but is removed anyway. Note how the foliage sort of resembles the Poppy next to it.

This spring's " mystery " seedling.. Can't think of anything i have seed of that has leaves like this / ..looks Ice plant - ish.. Leaving it until it flowers.. If an invasive? ..it gets yanked.

Week ..or two.. of a little chill, plus a little more moisture now ..then some warmth ..and a little more moisture ( ...Hopefully, lol ) as the chill wanes / heads east = Plenty of color as " Spring in the Desert " begins, even in what is looking to be a fairly dry year..

January 4, 2024

Nathan: You wrote: "Week ..or two.. of a little chill, plus a little more moisture now ..then some warmth ..and a little more moisture ( ...Hopefully, lol ) as the chill wanes / heads east = Plenty of color as " Spring in the Desert " begins, even in what is looking to be a fairly dry year."

As usual, your garden is a few weeks ahead of mine here in NorCal. In mine only the Calif. poppies are showing any real growth right now. I have finally figured out how to sprout Delphinium cardinale ("Scarlet Larkspur") from seeds and will plant their peat pot in another month or so. Should be a great plant to bloom this summer in my dry garden. https://thegardenmagazine.com/scarlet-larkspur-growing-care/

And bought a couple of dwarf Yucca brevifolia var. jaegeriana 'Blue' which, if they grow, will look great... in a century or so! Ha ha!

January 4, 2024

9 minutes ago, Hillizard said:

Nathan: You wrote: "Week ..or two.. of a little chill, plus a little more moisture now ..then some warmth ..and a little more moisture ( ...Hopefully, lol ) as the chill wanes / heads east = Plenty of color as " Spring in the Desert " begins, even in what is looking to be a fairly dry year."

As usual, your garden is a few weeks ahead of mine here in NorCal. In mine only the Calif. poppies are showing any real growth right now. I have finally figured out how to sprout Delphinium cardinale ("Scarlet Larkspur") from seeds and will plant their peat pot in another month or so. Should be a great plant to bloom this summer in my dry garden.

And bought a couple of dwarf Yucca brevifolia var. jaegeriana 'Blue' which, if they grow, will look great... in a century or so! Ha ha!

Very nice Jeff.. I'd considered trialing either of the two red flowering Delphinium sps here but don't think they'd survive past their first summer. Agree that it will look great in the " summer garden "

Showy Milkweed will be a test in the valley, but think they'll do ok ( ..if the seeds even germinate, lol ) in the east facing shade bed against the house out front.. Yerba Mansa have persisted there, even if they look ratty through the hottest part of Summer.

Am determined to collect seed ( or order, if my timing is bad ) of the native Delphinium ( D. scaposum, wootonii, and parishii ) here to try this year though.

Noticed that, ..if you give that Yucca just a little extra water, once or twice in summer, and they get some light afternoon shade, here at least, they seem to grow a touch faster ( Not a speedster by any means obviously ) than specimens out in full sun / kept totally dry.

Unfortunately, noticed a few smaller brevifolia specimens in nearby yards that didn't make it past this past summer's torture - fest here though. I also lost all 3 of the Penstemon i'd trialed last year: P. barbatus, ambiguus, and palmeri, all fried

W/ the last two, i think i just kept them too dry before the heat set in. Probably try more palmeri from seed next fall.

January 4, 2024

11 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Very nice Jeff.. I'd considered trialing either of the two red flowering Delphinium sps here but don't think they'd survive past their first summer. Agree that it will look great in the " summer garden "

Showy Milkweed will be a test in the valley, but think they'll do ok ( ..if the seeds even germinate, lol ) in the east facing shade bed against the house out front.. Yerba Mansa have persisted there, even if they look ratty through the hottest part of Summer.

Am determined to collect seed ( or order, if my timing is bad ) of the native Delphinium ( D. scaposum, wootonii, and parishii ) here to try this year though.

Noticed that, ..if you give that Yucca just a little extra water, once or twice in summer, and they get some light afternoon shade, here at least, they seem to grow a touch faster ( Not a speedster by any means obviously ) than specimens out in full sun / kept totally dry.

Unfortunately, noticed a few smaller brevifolia specimens in nearby yards that didn't make it past this past summer's torture - fest here though. I also lost all 3 of the Penstemon i'd trialed last year: P. barbatus, ambiguus, and palmeri, all fried

W/ the last two, i think i just kept them too dry before the heat set in. Probably try more palmeri from seed next fall.

I've trialed at least five different milkweed species in my front native garden. The one that's surprised me (and bloomed again this year) is Asclepias subulata. I'll be shocked if I ever see a Monarch butterfly anywhere on my property! Thanks for the advice on the Yucca. I'll keep one in its pot and plant out the other.😉

January 4, 2024

7 minutes ago, Hillizard said:

I've trialed at least five different milkweed species in my front native garden. The one that's surprised me (and bloomed again this year) is Asclepias subulata. I'll be shocked if I ever see a Monarch butterfly anywhere on my property! Thanks for the advice on the Yucca. I'll keep one in its pot and plant out the other.😉

A. subulata seems to be one of the easiest / toughest Milkweeds out there.. Landscapers that maintain a medical office up the street chop all the subulata specimens down to about 14" each year, and they fill back out w/ out flinching.. ..Don't ask me why they feel the need to cut these back.

Think i saw one Monarch pass through the yard this past fall.. Just a few Queens in the yard last year too. No Sulphurs, other than the occasional Orange or Dainty Sulphur, probably due to how hot / dry it was last summer. Hopefully next summer will be better.

If you can find it out there, Gregg's Mist flower is an instant Monarch / Queen magnet. The main reason ( besides the flowers / Tropical-esque looking foliage ) i decided to try A. speciosa this year.. Figure if the nectar and host plant are growing right next to each other, maybe the Queens... and perhaps a Monarch or two.. will decide to gift me with some baby Queens / Monarchs, haha.

January 6, 2024

When I lived near the ocean in CA, there were 2 species of small ice plants found in "disturbed" areas. 1 of them looked like yours:

It's known as Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum:

Hi 55°, Lo 37° 1st frost may occur in the morning

January 6, 2024

1 hour ago, Tom in Tucson said:

When I lived near the ocean in CA, there were 2 species of small ice plants found in "disturbed" areas. 1 of them looked like yours:

It's known as Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum:

Hi 55°, Lo 37° 1st frost may occur in the morning

:greenthumb: I'll have to keep an eye on it to see what the flowers look like.. Appears it's a S. African native that turns up here and there here in AZ . not a clue where it would have come from, never seen anything Ice Plant-y anywhere around here.

January 18, 2024

Some observations from a post - cold week walk around the hood, checking on the tender things..

While i can't say what part of Chandler they take their " official " readings, this is what was recorded by Accuweather for last week here ..or where ever in town they record their readings.

Screenshot2024-01-17at21-48-56ChandlerAZMonthlyWeatherAccuWeather.png.8a3e911c9aa9363e185579c8a8fb319c.png

As shown elsewhere, when i was up early enough to catch it, Neighborhood W.U. stations were running close to ..or a few deg lower -in various areas nearby- at the same time. Add to this the showers at times ..brief, icy stuff, right before that 28F reading ..and some really cold wind we'd had.

Judging by the fact that some of the Sunflowers out back got nipped pretty bad / new growth atop the " Old Skool " Bougainvillea were burnt up pretty good as well, i'd anticipated i'd see -at least- some damage to noted special stuff in yards nearby.

First, some odds n' ends..

Two of the nicest " Hedgehog " clumps i've come across in a residential yard.. This is what they can look like when happy.

Echinocereus coccineus, pretty sure...

100% Echinocereus triglochidatus ..Perfect specimen too. Hopefully i'll catch this when in full bloom in a few weeks.

....Fate and future..

Dead Pinus eldarica showing the living one next to it it's likely fate.

Looks great - for now- but, how long until this impressive eldarica' life is cut short?

....Odd " Bed Fellows " ( uhh, planted in the same bed, not sleeping in it, lol )

One of the few, good looking Grevillea robusta ( Silk Oak, tall / on the right ) specimens in the neighborhood, hanging out with ..A Benji. Fig? ( Short dude / dude- ette on the left ) That is correct.. That Ficus is gonna be a ....Insert word / phrase... to deal with if / when it gets any bigger.

...Huh?.....

Beastly Eucalyptus Treee

Ok? ...Howa'bout a Eucalyptus ...Hedge??? ....Interestinggg..

...Onto the good stuff, will ya'

A check on the biggest Pygmy specimens in the immediate " Hood "

Note that two of the heads on this clump are on their way out ..likely a result from this past summer. Not the recent cold. Ouch.

Bigger Plumeria specimen.. Leaves are shot, obviously, ..Why i strip mine..   ...but the stems look to have survived this cold spell just fine.. Looks like one of the un-named ones H.D. offers here ( Can see the generic tag when you zoom in on the base of the plant ) ..We'll see if any latent damage appears as it start to wake up in 4-6 weeks.

Another, a block over.. As you can see, the residents here simply plopped the plant on top of the soil, rather than dig a hole when planting..   ...Don't ask me why...   I'd caught up w/ this specimen just as they were finishing planting it and completely forgot to discuss how the way it was planted might effect it. Looks fine after the cold, and seems content as- planted. so... We'll see how it looks on the next check in.

Royal Poinciana, specimen, 2nd largest in the neighborhood.. a little crispy singe to some foliage, but otherwise, surprisingly, fine.. Looks like it's caretaker tried to hack on the sidewalk facing side a bit.. Shouldn't hurt it, even if it's shape ends up a bit wonky for a little while..

The other, somewhat smaller sized R.P. over there was completely stripped of foliage ..odd since these two specimens are less than a block apart, and the " nekked " one is in a front yard that faces south.. Branches / Trunk doesn't look damaged, just devoid of leafy-ness clothes. Is in a yard next door to the bigger, above mentioned Plumeria that only experienced leaf damage. Kind of weird.. No pics, ...of " sticks "

I didn't get shots of it only because i was finally able to meet the owner of the R.P. in the immediate neighborhood, ..roughly.. 2 blocks up from the house.. Older gentleman of Hispanic descent who was kind enough to let me get up close to the tree.. ..and talk for a few minutes about it and the seedlings from it that are planted in the same yard. He also was kind enough to share some of the pods off of it.. Anyway.. some crispy singe in spots on this one too, but the tree itself is otherwise fine.. No bronzing / shedding of cold - fried leaflets. Smaller saplings looked fine as well..

Pods from that tree.. Roughly half were devoid of seed, which isn't completely unexpected w/ our heat / it's age. While seed in the " rattlers " does seem smaller / skinnier than seed i'd gathered from trees in FL, fatter seed looks good to my eye.. We'll see what happens when i try 'em.

Dead pods

" Rattlers "

Seed from the " good pods " ..Some aborted / deformed, Others looking " decent " ..We'll see what happens..

Cassia fistula... Looking flawless, although there is a lot of dead wood on the two specimens on this side of this yard ( West facing ) Looking closer, can see damage to the trunks from the brutal planting exposure. Would not plant in such a direction unless something is shading the trunks in the afternoon. We'll see how much longer the smaller one survives.

Specimen located closer to the sidewalk looking about as good as it gets, though a bit thin due to needing more water overall. Still, not a flinch through this cold spell..

Tamarind.. Maybe a bronze-y tinge to the foliage at the top of the tree.. I'm betting this ..and the singed foliage on the R.P's. is more an after effect of the cold wind we had, rather than the cold mornings ..though they probably didn't help, lol.

Ficus benji next to the Tamarind.. looking fine post cold spell. Some Purple - leaved Basil, < Not pictured>, still flowering in another yard a few doors down.. ..And yet, as mentioned, some of the " Winter Sunflowers " out back suffered some crispy burn.. Go figure..

..Oops.. ..intentional ..or just lazy A** -es...

If you're gonna graffiti the rock in front of the Med. Offices w/ toxic blue goo, at least get the weeds you're supposedly targeting ..the dreaded Stinknet in this case ( Circled red )

Rock Penstemon in the street median..   THIS   is when you'd give 'em a trim ..NOT when in full bloom ( As seen in the " Landscape Maint. Failure Thread " ) " Bush in the back " are some Lil' Johns ( Bottle Brush, Cuzz )

Desert Milkweed, " A- la- chopped gahh' bage " ..WHY?? Milkweed aren't a Grass. ...These don't need to be trimmed.

Overall, from what i'm seeing, this cold spell was a nothing burger, in this part of town at least. Roughly a month and 2 weeks left for " Winter " 23 / 24.

" Singed Sunflowers " from the morning after the week of chilly dayz, nippy wind, cold / icy showers, and that sketchy 28F ..Already getting over their " fling with a freeze ".. atm.

January 18, 2024

On 12/20/2023 at 1:08 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Bigger, " mistake " - planted 'Squite ( ..Because it isn't what i'd thought it was ..and some of the thorns are MASSIVE ) specimen chugging along.. Considering this past summer. 4 or 5 years old now and providing good overhead canopy that will only get better over the coming years

What's the name of this mesquite species? I love its looks, reminds of African acacias... oops, I mean Vachellias. Shame it is deciduous, looks like it would provide the best canopy!

January 18, 2024

A nice eye for photography you have there I can see your eye is lens some good looking flowers and some of those plants are incredible keep up the good work

January 20, 2024

Post - frosty episode 'Yhaad stuff:

Distimake dissectus, AKA, the " Little White Monster "? Just a little crispy, for the moment. No worries, unless one frets..

...Hammered Peppers..

So close to getting these through the winter un-scathed, but, alas, one further out from the wall got fried.. Other? not quite as fried.. Cut 'em back, and see what happens.. I don't yank if there's a chance they'll return as it starts to warm up. Not - A - Fretter.. Scattered plenty of seed while cleaning them up, so anotha' cycle of Italian Longs will return, One way or another.

Albizia sinaloensis ..w/ a blonde -ish tinge, but otherwise fine.. Now that there is a sprinkler head nearby that will hit it when i water the lawn, it should start bolting this year. Yes, Fretter, i like the curvy trunk in the making.. Rigidly straight = Pass. Senna in the background, to the right, i planted last fall looks fine too..

Pink Trumpet Tree > Handroanthus impetiginosus <, Sonora Origin a touch Bronze-y.. " But those burnt leaves look so ugly " an obsessive fretter might say ...Fret away, far away..

As mentioned, fried " Winter Sunflowers", shruggin' off their encounter with a frosty flirt . Next in line to flower, after the first one did last month, laughing off the cold too.. Field days for the Gold Finches the first one has been as the seed has ripened on it. Gold Finches ..and other Sunflower Seed lovers = why i let 'em pop up in the lawn.

Main, Spring Annual Display area getting there, though a bit thinner due in part to far less consistent rain so far this year ..and the Bleepin' Gopher that won't die ..or just move across the street ..or somethin'

..Rain this weekend / early next week, overall mild weather ahead should kick things into high gear.. Desert Chicory and Desert Bluebells bolting.. Probably see the first flowers of the year on the biggest of them here within the next 10-15 days. ..As long as the weather cooperates, of course.. Yes, there are even a few Sunflowers in there.. Completely un- fried by the cold last week. How 'about dat..

Some Coulter's Lupine and Notch Leaved Phacelia out there, but pretty sure i missed the sowing " sweet spot " by a couple weeks to get the display i'd hoped for in this and another spot out there this year.. No worries.. A few Owl's Clover may be sprouting atm. too.

Penstemon superbus ..and parryi.. getting closer to the first flowers of the year.. Nice winter leaf color on both right now too..

CA. Buckwheat doing the same, minus the sweet, winter- blushed foliage coloration...

Anisacanthus andersonii, on the way..

How 'bout that.. Still a few Kallstroemia g's flowering, even after last weeks chill. ..Still

Plumeria, un - clothed ..sort of.

I'd considered not wrapping the bigger specimen thru this cold spell but since my guy is telling me it may flower this year -finally- i didn't want to risk damage to any of the tips. Left the bottom covered, just in case there's another quick surprise before winter takes a hike. .

Little Yellow Monster ( ..in the making ) lookin' fine after her Towel ..and Pillow Cases.. came off.. Still in " Plumeria Jail " though. 🤬 Cats👎👎👎👎 They really gotta go..

Others put back out. Tougher / better settled ( in their pots ) JJ cultivars at least.. Everyone else will hang out in the den for a couple more weeks.. " Divine " stayed in the breezeway between the Carport / Backyard through last weeks episode. Surprised to see a touch of leaf burn on the leaves i'd left on it following the coldest morning.

.." Under The Radar, CA Rare Plant Trial " getting off the ground.. Two of the seeds sown at the same time appear to have gotten fried ..or just stayed too dry while germinating, so i prepped / dunked a couple new ones in the pot. ..We'll see.. ...Nope, Don't ask ..Still not tellin Patience, Grasshopperz'..

January 23, 2024

What is this white paint on the Plumeria?

January 23, 2024

9 hours ago, Than said:

What is this white paint on the Plumeria?

That is " tree paint " AKA: Sun Tan Lotion for thin skinned plants susceptible to sunburn.. Paint all my potted specimens, and any In -ground specimens which are placed where they might be exposed to mid day / afternoon sun ...for the first couple years at least until they have produced some older / hardier wood that can better tolerate daily 105- 120F sun / heat beating down upon them for 3-5 months.

Same thing is done w/ Citrus / any other " thin skinned " fruit trees, ..and some other thin- barked stuff like Ficus here, in the desert areas of CA, ..and esp. in Mexico. Don't paint them and such trees can suffer extensive sun damage in our heat / extreme U.V., which opens them up to secondary infection from Bacteria / Fungi, and insect attacks. Insects btw are just doing what they're programmed to do, ...start the decomposition process of a dying tree / bush, whatever..

With larger trees ..and even Plumeria ( in the ground ) once old enough to shade themselves, you don't necessarily need to paint the trunks ..Though some people still do, bases at least ..Fruit trees like Citrus esp..

Pots the " potted " Plumeria are in are painted as well, to further reflect / slow down heat energy transfer from the sun. Not concerned with how it looks to others..

January 23, 2024

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

That is " tree paint " AKA: Sun Tan Lotion for thin skinned plants susceptible to sunburn.. Paint all my potted specimens, and any In -ground specimens which are placed where they might be exposed to mid day / afternoon sun ...for the first couple years at least until they have produced some older / hardier wood that can better tolerate daily 105- 120F sun / heat beating down upon them for 3-5 months.

Same thing is done w/ Citrus / any other " thin skinned " fruit trees, ..and some other thin- barked stuff like Ficus here, in the desert areas of CA, ..and esp. in Mexico. Don't paint them and such trees can suffer extensive sun damage in our heat / extreme U.V., which opens them up to secondary infection from Bacteria / Fungi, and insect attacks. Insects btw are just doing what they're programmed to do, ...start the decomposition process of a dying tree / bush, whatever..

With larger trees ..and even Plumeria ( in the ground ) once old enough to shade themselves, you don't necessarily need to paint the trunks ..Though some people still do, bases at least ..Fruit trees like Citrus esp..

Pots the " potted " Plumeria are in are painted as well, to further reflect / slow down heat energy transfer from the sun. Not concerned with how it looks to others..

Oh is this why here too in old times people used to whitewash trees? Interesting. In India on the other hand they paint them orange, no clue why.

January 23, 2024

15 minutes ago, Than said:

Oh is this why here too in old times people used to whitewash trees? Interesting. In India on the other hand they paint them orange, no clue why.

Yep, same thing.. Is a non -oil - base type paint.. ( Chemicals in that can kill plants ) so, within say a year or two, it will degrade. Is also used in freeze -prone areas to help deter rodent, borer ..and even freeze damage itself on fruit / thin skinned trees as well.

Before modern paint mixes, a mix of Hydrated Lime / some other natural ingredients were used. Have heard of people creating it out of Powdered Milk and some other basic stuff mixed in.

Its possible the paint used in India is the same stuff, just with some Orange colored, natural dye added.. Here, there is an option that is a light sandy tan color.. Have considered researching a natural, very light blue or green dye to add to the paint, just to see how it works..

A lot of native trees here, like Palo Verde, have light green colored bark because it helps lessen sun damage, and ..in some cases at least, can photosynthesize.

January 23, 2024

Υep in Greece it is always lime based

January 30, 2024

About an inch of rain, + ~roughly ~ a week of 70s/ 80s, + more " warm " rain ahead ..and warming breaks between each wave of rain as we head into / through the month ahead = Lots of color ..soon..

Dec. 14th:

Jan 19th.

Jan. 26th

< Not Pictured > Some of the Rafinesquia are just about there ..Anticipate the first flowers on those by the weekend ..or shortly there after. Everyone else is in bolt mode..

Nemophilia menziesii ..Far bigger plants this year than what i'd grown here in years past.

A very CA Trio: Baby Blue Eyes, Sky Lupine, and CA Poppy " Purple Gleam "

Lupinus texanus, just starting to bolt.. Between the two, looks like California's " Bluebonnet ", L. nanus, bolts faster / will be the first of the 3 Lupinus sps planted to flower.

L. coulteri

Phacelia crenulata

Amsonia grandiflora.. When this rare, middle elevation native from the S.E. Borderlands region of AZ starts to awaken, Spring is on the way.. Hopefully it will bloom this year..

February 2, 2024

As January ends, damage from our flirt w/ a freeze starts to fade away.

As the " pre - dawn " hours of spring set in ...AKA February, signs the sun will rise ..on spring, soon..

Beat up..

..and beat down, ..One on the lower left is alive too, ..close to it's base at least. We'll see what it decides to do.

...but far from knocked out.. New signs of life on the Italian Longs ( Peppers ) ..Headed into year #2, Pretty neat. Hopefully i'll get a crop before June arrives.

Freesia bulking up. Can already feel the flower stalks developing. A shame the more exotic looking species are quite a challenge to find. Would be an interesting experiment to see how they'd do compared to the standard ones. Sparaxis, the commonly seen ones, and even more exotic looking species ..and some of the wild looking species Gladiolus are a couple other S. African bulbs i'd like to toss in here, just to see what they'd do. " foundation " plants i'd planned on adding to this bed will be going in before mid March as well.

First of this season's Cowpen Dasies

Your first glimpse of " Spring 2024 ".

Penstenon superbus, not far behind...

Edited February 2, 2024 by Silas_Sancona
edit

February 2, 2024

6 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

As January ends, damage from our flirt w/ a freeze starts to fade away.

As the " pre - dawn " hours of spring set in ...AKA February, signs the sun will rise ..on spring, soon..

Beat up..

..and beat down, ..One on the lower left is alive too, ..close to it's base at least. We'll see what it decides to do.

...but far from knocked out.. New signs of life on the Italian Longs ( Peppers ) ..Headed into year #2, Pretty neat. Hopefully i'll get a crop before June arrives.

Freesia bulking up. Can already feel the flower stalks developing. A shame the more exotic looking species are quite a challenge to find. Would be an interesting experiment to see how they'd do compared to the standard ones. Sparaxis, the commonly seen ones, and even more exotic looking species ..and some of the wild looking species Gladiolus are a couple other S. African bulbs i'd like to toss in here, just to see what they'd do. " foundation " plants i'd planned on adding to this bed will be going in before mid March as well.

First of this season's Cowpen Dasies

Your first glimpse of " Spring 2024 ".

Penstenon superbus, not far behind...

Nathan you take National Geographic quality photos!

February 9, 2024

" Spring " 2024, in the Desert .......just about ready to lift off..

Phacelia campanularia closest to the street kicking things off in the main bed..

Some others doing their very best impersonations of a Rex Begonia..

Rain kissed leaves..

Nemophilia menziesii ..About a week to 10 days from flowering.. Maybe less if it stays dry / warmer next week..

In the " Which one will bloom first " race, appears Cali's " Bluebonnet ", Lupinus nanus will win.

L. texanus not too far behind, ..probably flowering sometime after the start of March ( ..as long as the weather cooperates, lol )

Interesting coloration in this newer leaf on this particular plant. Could the flowers end up being Maroon - flowered?

Hanging out w/ L. coulteri. Maybe they'll cross. Same w/ what L. texanus specimens are growing next to L. nanus in the main bed.

Random shots of the foliage ...Cuz' it's kinda neat.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

February 10, 2024

" Winter " Sunflowers ...still doin' their thing ..before the wind yesterday knocked down this one ...and the next one to start flowering. 🤷‍♂️ ...It happens.. More to come, ...as long as they don't get blown down   ...and more sprouting, thanks to da' birds..

Since it appears Sunflowers will pop ...pretty much year round here, decided to sow a bunch of seed collected off the Maroon / Red and Orange / bi- colored - flowered ones from last summer, along the wall out back in pretty much the same beds i had them growing in last year. ....just to see if they'll come up on heir own -this time of year- ....as easily as the yellow ones did ( ...and still are, lol )..

Ironically, while looking everything over out there, spotted ...what is likely one of the Red / bi-colored Sunflowers... already popping up out front.    Answered my own question, perhaps. lol..

If the plan works, i'll have them up and flowering before summer this year. Will help shade the Peppers ..maybe some other stuff planed in the " Pepper bed " this spring.

3 Globe Mallows...

#1: Likely Sphaeralcea coulteri

#2: S. laxa

#3: Not 100% positive on the sp. yet but from seed collected near Boyce Thompson ...The larger Orange Flowered sp i'm trying o get going / build seed stock of.. Only Globe Mallow sp. i scattered seed of in the main bed this year.

2 Penstemons...

P. parryi

...Not 100% certain yet but leaf arrangement / texture and coloration ....and proximity to one planted and lost last year points to Penstemon ambiguus.

< Not pictured > P. superbus getting closer to starting it's season

Unfortunately, not seeing any P. palmeri seedlings. As mentioned, ...For whatever reason, lost all 3 " mother " plants after last summer's brutal heat. Odd since the species supposedly tolerates quite a bit of ...Heat. ...Seed will get planted next fall.

Cactus Season 2024 gearing up too as the first Beavertail ( Opuntia basilaris ) flower buds start peeking out of the Cladodes.

One clump of PLENTY of Gooding's Verbena popping up -everywhere- around the yard ...A GOOD thing..

They'll be smaller than hoped but, ...there will be some Phacelia crenulata this year.. I apparently missed the window for sowing Owl's Clover cuz' not seeing any seedlings of it.. Slight bummer.

Erythrostemmon palmeri First of the " Sonoran Tropicals" to flower each year ...gearin' up.

Senna hirsuta v. glaberrima already starting to awaken from their winter nap,    ...while S. wislizeni takes a quick nap ( Nekked atm ..so not worth takin' a picture )

Anisacanthus andersonii

Yerba Mansa

My " under the radar experiment " ...One of them anyway ...progressing as hoped. Hard to see but, First germinated plant gaining size,   as the " back up " seed i planted start to germinate. Yes, one plant may work, but want to increase the odds for adequate pollination, which is why the goal was germinating 3.

Hopefully the pot is deep enough / what they'll climb will handle the weight of 3 plants. Off to a good start so far.. 🤞🤞 Nope, don't ask..😄

Feathery friends...

Annual Larkspur / Delphinium, and Eschscholzia X " Puple Gleam".. Not easy to tell who is who unless you grow both..

...And lastly, ( ...for the moment ), Rafinesquia neomexicana ..the next big step toward the start of " spring " jusstt about ready to pop. This one decided to hide the Desert Marigold it sprouted next to.

..Sniffin around a little more, just to be sure.. There ya' go / How bout' 'dat ...We're off to the races..

Tis' the Season ...Almost. So niice..

February 10, 2024

what phone do you use? Amazing photos.

February 10, 2024

11 hours ago, Than said:

what phone do you use? Amazing photos.

No phone, just a decent, -but simple- point n' shoot " Pocket " Camera.. For now anyway since this category of cameras have obvious limits.

Goal is a an upgrade it a more mid - entry range / semi - professional DSLR ( Ferr' get spending $3K-7K on a Camera, ever.. About as dumb as setting $1,000+ on fire ...for a Phone 🤣 :floor: )

...Since i have it ..and a pretty good lens / filter package ( ..Other AF lenses that fit the same camera are cheap now too ) i'll probably still use my old, film- based SLR ...if i can get my hands on a insert converter that will allow the old camera to take digital pictures

***...For anyone w/ older SLR film Cameras,   Yes, it's a thing ( ...that should have been developed / perfected like 2 decades ago, lol ). Look up: " I'm Back Film " - I'm back digital back. "

Release date is sometime this July ...Or is what is suggested on the site. Appears it will be sold as a kit, but imagine the " nuts and bolts " portion of the product will come as a stand alone product in the not too distant future ...Hopefully.. Anyway..

Quality of what photos i take is 1 part having an natural eye for composition, etc   ...and 1 part 3 years of Photography classes in High School, another 5 years of working in a camera store on and off ...and having a camera in my hands / hanging with / learning from other ...more advanced in knowledge.. shutter bugs since i was 13 / 14.

Like many things technology-related, Photography is an ever changing / always evolving / moving forward field / hobby..   So, no matter what you have learned ...yesterday, there's always something new you'll probably learn ...tomorrow. :greenthumb:

February 10, 2024

35 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Quality of what photos i take is 1 part having an natural eye for composition, etc ...and 1 part 3 years of Photography classes in High School, another 5 years of working in a camera store on and off ...and having a camera in my hands / hanging with / learning from other ...more advanced in knowledge.. shutter bugs since i was 13 / 14

OK makes sense!

February 11, 2024

23 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

the wind yesterday knocked down this one

Last storm took down this mangave bloom. It already had a pretty good lean going.

February 11, 2024

10 minutes ago, Rivera said:

Last storm took down this mangave bloom. It already had a pretty good lean going.

Hopefully the stalk is still attached allowing what seed appears to be forming to mature.. See this happen w / Agave up in the foothills as well.

W/ the Sunflowers, wind completely snaps them off.. It ...and another Gopher that managed to find way to avoid being trapped ( ...for now ) are trying it's hardest to take down the Tipuana i planted last year too.. 🤬

February 11, 2024

35 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Hopefully the stalk is still attached allowing what seed appears to be forming to mature.. See this happen w / Agave up in the foothills as well.

W/ the Sunflowers, wind completely snaps them off.. It ...and another Gopher that managed to find way to avoid being trapped ( ...for now ) are trying it's hardest to take down the Tipuana i planted last year too.. 🤬

The gophers are little devils.

This mangave gave me many many pups before it bit the dust so I'm not upset about it.

February 11, 2024

2 hours ago, Rivera said:

The gophers are little devils.

Little Devils, Option #2.. 3... ...Insert your favorite descriptive " word " ha ha.. This one migrated from out front and decided to set up it's hideout under the Ficus ..where it's impossible to set the trap.

Waiting for it to move out into the lawn more as it warms up.. I'll get his / her ....S

Stuck some Malvaviscus cuttings in the ground near the Ficus a couple weeks ago to try to take advantage of rooting them w/ the rains of late ...Had vanished - below ground- by the next morning. Looked over at the mound left behind muttering ..." You're mine, M - 🤬 " Lol.

February 12, 2024

Random stuff on a Sunday afternoon:

Penstemon superbus ...Because i'd forgot to include it earlier.. 🙃

Ericameria laricifolia specimens responding well to all the rain this winter.. CA Buckwheat in the background of both shots

Calliandra eriophylla ..Why some specimens keep their foliage closed up this time of year i have no clue.. Perfectly healthy despite looking a bit " thin " Jusstt starting to see signs of flower bud development.

Bolting Agave ..thinking murphyi.. spotted while taking a walk over to the orange big box to grab trimmer string. A. americana lurking in the shadows on the right in the background of shot #2.

Senna artemisioides ...One of it's forms.. starting to flower

February 15, 2024

Penstemon superbus ...We have lift off

" Summer " Sunflowers ( the Red / Maroon / Orange - bicolor toned forms ) starting to pop.. Besides dropping seed along the back wall again ( also starting to sprout, but is hidden beneath spiny Bougainvillea. cuts -to keep the birds from digging them up while they sprout ), decided to pop some in around the Tipu ..Which is having a few issues atm..

YTBD Legume ..Possibly an Astragalus sp i don't recall collecting seed of...?? We'll see, Esp. once it starts flowering.

Dwf. Pink Singapore, the next Plumeria to get it's toes in the dirt.. Sited in the main bed up next to the front door to provide something fragrant for visitor and resident alike. Considered something taller, but don't want to completely obscure the view out the living room window. Pink Singapore should stay short enough to provide a tropical- esque screen / great foliage / attention getting flowers ..but not get so large that it blocks out the total view ..let alone try to over run the entry walkway.

Another Dwarf - sized Plumeria cultv. will go in a nearby spot to the left of where DPS is planted.. Another, compact to medium- height cultivar will get planted against the block wall in the open / side yard space on the south side of the house once i decide which color i want back there..

🎵 ...Like a deep blue Sea ...on a blue blue day.... 🎵

Sunny 70s, and crystal clear blue sky brings out the blue eyes.

After a trim, the sunny scent of warm Chocolate ...on the way..

February 21, 2024

There may be 9 or 10 days left for " Winter " on the calendar but, ...As far as i'm concerned, " ...Spring 2024 " has already begun..

Warm enough now that more Plumerias are back outside, along with the Pink Pseudobombax ellipticum, ..And " Metallica twins < Yes, i added another > ( Chamadorea metallica ) to soak up some outside - air, ...in the shade, ...For now.

Yr + old Plumeria " kiddos " head to a warm, n' sorta shady spot tomorrow.   Perennial Devilish Blondes started last year, and the rare S. AZ Ipomoea pair are also sitting where afternoon sun can awaken them from their winter nap.

As winter ends, Spring begins...

...Starting of course with the Bluebells.

Some African Dasies at the old house...

Beavertails over there gearing up..

Hedgehogs too ..E. coccineus something -the -other for the moment.   Both clumps were moved a bit to make way for future parking space up closer to the house. Not a sign they were bothered by the impromptu mid - winter move.

" Summer Tones " Sunflower seedlings poppin' here...

...and everywhere... In " Sunflower Seedling Jail " to keep the Towhees and Curve - Billed Thrashers from digging them up / consuming them.

Order seed of a cultivar that supposedly smells like Chocolate to trial this year soon.

UTR CA.RP trial, lookin good.. All three plants are up, and climbing.. 🤞🤞 Nope, don't ask

Baja Ruellia One of the few " Desert Landscape Staples " that looks ok shaped a bit.

Valentine Emu.. Also looking ok trimmed a little.. Just about peak bloom on these atm.

Anisacanthus andersonii, ...coming along nicely. Now that i got some stuff that had been overgrowing it cleaned up / cleared out, hopefully this specimen will start to fill out. ..a tad thin, overall, atm.

Rafinesquia neomexicana, now also flowering in the main bed.

....And, it is confirmed.. Among the Lupinus sps sown this year, California's " Bluebonnet " wins the race..    Been a couple decades since i've grown my #1 most admired CA native, Lupinus nanus.. Have admired this plant since first observing it growing on a hillside near a former IBM location in 1989 on one of my after school walks in my old neighborhood in San Jose.

Aside from the fact that a hillside full of these in flower is guaranteed to stop traffic, where ever they're blooming across the state, L. nanus is one of only a few " highly fragrant " Lupine species.

..Possessing a sweet, head turning / intoxicating scent i'd place at the same category as various Orchids, the infamous Devilish Blonde, Sweet Acacia, Nag Champa, Plumeria, and Guaiacum coulteri - to name a few.

Lupines are a lifetime favorite group of plants, but this one is special.. Flowers caught my eye. Scent hooked me in, for life. I may attempt to grow another, much rarer and extra special CA Lupinus sp next fall, if i can find seed. Crossing my fingers there will still be flowers on these just as the first Palo Verde flowers start to open across the street.

Next to our native Shooting Stars, Genus Primula, looked forward to seeing these any and everywhere i hiked back in San Jose / Cen. California each spring.

Yesterday evening...

This morning..

Around 5PM...

Nice to see you again old friend..      Lupinus texanus, and L. sparsiflorus should catch up shortly.

< Not pictured > First Orange CA Poppy broke open today. Purple-ish toned ones are getting close. Warmth this week, warm / mild weather on the way / from this point forward should kick things up a notch as the curtain falls on winter 2024 next week.

Can already smell Sweet Acacia in the air, even though the trees directly across the street aren't awake just yet.

Almosstt there...

Edited February 21, 2024 by Silas_Sancona
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February 24, 2024

L. nanus More buds popping, more plants budding.. as fragrant as remembered.

Checking on them, appears L. sparsiflorus ( Coulter's Lupine ) will be the next to flower ( buds starting to push out ). TX Bluebonnets? looking like they'll be flowering last.

Erythrostemon palmeri 2 steps closer to it's first flowers of the year.. Estimate another 5-9 days before they'll start opening ..As long as the weather continues to cooperate.

Penstemon parryi Self mis- ID'ed as superbus.. It happens..

First of the " Purple Gleam CA Poppies.. Color is a bit difficult to capture correctly. Looks too pink in pictures compared to when viewed w/ one's eyes. Nice color regardless. Should present a good display once they really start flowering.

Open in sun..

Shaded..

Mystery Legume ID solved.. Is indeed a species of Locoweed within the genus Astragalus ..Specifically, Two Seeded Milkvetch / Locoweed, Astragalus didymocarpus a somewhat obscure species that is fairly common in Cen. / S. CA, but has a more scattered distribution here in AZ. Is likely the variety A. d. var, dispermus.

With the majority of rainfall all but shutting off here for -at least- the moment, noting that the Baby Blue eyes aren't too happy about the drying soil / warmer temps.

On the other hand? Warm enough that the a lone, spindly Morning Glory that escaped death over the winter decided to flower..