Archway to hidden lands?

Have you noticed that even if you walk down the same street multiple times, there's always something new to see if you just bother to look? And the change of seasons, though not particularly as defined in SoCal as other regions of the country, still have their signature looks to announce them. Right now, honeysuckle is everywhere, and in addition to adding to the pollen count, it's creating an abundance of blooms and bees -- both very good things. Mostly the vines adorn fences, adding privacy and beauty. When I saw the arch over the garden entrance, though, all I could imagine is the doorway taking one to an enchanted land of hobbits or elves or wizards. Where would you like your enchanted door to go?

This year, more than past years, there seems to be an explosion of cactus blooms. They fascinate me because of their delicate beauty in stark contrast to the very thorny creature they spring from.

Just to prove there are gardeners and then there is moi, below is what I believe is an iris, abundant in so many gardens. Years ago, when I was still posturing as an actual gardener, I planted some so a corner of my critter cafė area would be a focal point of beautiful blossoms. Yeah. Well, that didn't work. I maybe get one or two blossoms from the wonderfully lush green. That's it. But someone a couple blocks away has what was supposed to be happening in my corner. Clearly they know what they're doing. Enjoy.

Gnomes in a tree

Sometimes the best decision I can make all day is to allow Nellie to determine the walk we take around the neighborhood. This evening she outdid herself. We stumbled upon the most amazing flowering cacti, a charming fairy garden of gnomes in the crook of a tree, and a trumpet vine bursting with blossoms. Considering I spent the day getting filthy working on a brick border along my three mile hedge (it's not really 3 miles -- just feels that way), it was refreshing to see vibrant color so powerfully on display.

Click on the picture so you can see the gnomes -- and check out the two on the upper right:

The cactus with a lavender hue is really stunning and the barrel cactus in bloom was a first for me. Awesome.

And last, but definitely not least, the trumpet vine.

And thus endeth a perfect day.

Thoughts on a garden

After talking to friends and neighbors about gardening, I realized I've been guilty of false advertising. When I speak of working on my garden, I'm actually just talking about landscaping design and doing funky things with found objects. The sad truth is I can count on one hand the plants I actually know by name and manage to keep alive in spite of mismanagement. The reason so much jade, fox tail agave, aloe, and geraniums are in my yard is because they refuse to quit growing -- not because I have a magic touch or know anything about them. There are succulents people have given to me that manage quite well on their own and I have zero clue to what they are.

As I pass by real gardens and say hi to people who are carefully weeding, dead-heading, and other maintenance routines to keep their colorful and rich array of flowers healthy and looking great, I grimace at the thought of spending time tending to the more tedious chores of dealing with plants. I prefer to deal with creating brick borders or building planter boxes than worrying about what to put in them. It's just a happy surprise if anything takes off and thrives. 

That said, of course it's nice to hear people seem to like how things are shaping up and appreciate the vision. It does keep me off the streets and out of trouble.

Hollyhocks swaying in the breeze

Another walk, another blossom catches my eye. This time, hollyhocks. From pale to vivid. So naturally I have to stop and take photos. Nellie and I walk on a couple of houses down, and there's a man standing in the yard with a beautiful Belgian Malinois. Of course we have to stop and do the dog greet and meet. The man then tells me that the hollyhock seeds are in the little pods on the plants and all you have to do is pinch them off and then sow them. "Well," I demur, "I don't pinch anything from a garden without permission first." And then he says, "I give you permission. I live there." Turns out he was politely stepping aside for us to go by before returning home with his beautiful fur baby. This is the wonderful neighborhood we live in! 

There is no escape...

Just can't help it. If it's blooming and rich in color, I have to share: 

Mind you - these blossoms are the size of a dime!

While these don't have quite the punch of the intensely red hibiscus, you have to admit the colors pop:

Mosaic sunburst and bursts of color

This house has been on my radar for years. It's an amazing mosaic on the side wall of the house and today I did something I wouldn't ordinarily do - trespassed on the driveway to get the shot. The colors are so vibrant and the design a bit more complex than some with the layered approach. On a gloomy day, this is truly a burst of sunshine:

What prompted me to trespass was actually a garden on another street. The colors reminded me of the mosaic so of course a picture is in order:

Someone has suggested I have an unnatural fascination with gardens. To that I say...well maybe. It's just I'm always fascinated by what people can do with the space they have. Some prefer letting it go to weeds. Others like to go with native plants as much possible, while others go for a mix. And some persist in pretending we're in England and have luscious lawns and typical English gardens. But whatever the look, they all have something of interest. Okay, okay, I do have an unnatural interest in gardens. At least it's not an unnatural interest in atomic bombs or something!

Peahen on patrol (part 2)

I'm relieved, and yet somewhat dismayed. The peahen moved on down our street in the late afternoon and at dusk she flew up onto a roof, presumably to roost. Smart move considering the coyotes in our neighborhood are getting bolder and healthier -- which translates into quicker, more efficient hunting. That said, as Nellie and I were out for our morning stroll, of course I couldn't help looking for her iridescent beauty. No luck. But yesterday, when she was enjoying the delicacies in my yard, I managed to capture another couple of pictures. 

Here she is pretending I'm not sitting just a couple of feet away:

I hope she finds her permanent home soon and she's safe.
 

Peahen on patrol

The last couple of days have been a bit traumatic. Kuma, our big bear (who now looks more like an elegant wolf), has had an attack of vestibular syndrome. We're not able to see our vet until Monday (booked solid), but we have instructions for how to make him comfortable until then. It's already been a long couple of sleepless nights and round-the-clock nursing. 

Life goes on, though, and as I headed out to the Critter Café to feed my squirrels and birds, imagine my astonishment when I saw a magnificent peahen standing right in front of me. But here's where it got really interesting: when I spoke to her and moved to place the walnuts in their dish, she actually came toward me. Wasn't fearful in the slightest. In fact, she seemed curious about today's menu. Mind you, wild peacocks and peahens are nothing new to the area, but NEVER in my yard. This is a first. Now you're thinking that she should adopt me and make me a slave to her every need. But no -- been there and tragically done that with Ninja. She is welcome, that goes without saying, but I hope she re-joins her friends wherever they may be and stays safe with her ostentation (which is a group of the clearly show-off birds). So here she is in all her glory:

Frogs on guard

When Nellie and I set out today, I allowed her to lead the way and I'm so glad I did. She decided to to go UP a street we usually walk down. OK - interesting choice. Then she took a sharp left and we were on a short street that had some eye-popping yards. My favorite was a house with guard frogs -- well that's what it seemed like from the way they were placed at the entrance to the home. Now I have a real fondness for frogs - both living and statuary - so I had to share:

In addition to the wonderful sculptures, that block had a garden that was a vision in purple:

And not to brag, but my garden is no slouch in the purple department:

But back to the fun street, one of the most vivid hibiscus blossoms I've ever seen:

On our next walk, Nellie should lead the way again. She seems to have an eye for fun stuff and wonderful gardens. Or maybe she just wanted to explore a new street. Whatever - it's all good.

Mango - the futuristic dog

Out and about this morning, Nellie and I ran across an amazing sight. A shepherd with futuristic goggles came over to greet us as we were talking to his family. Naturally I asked about the purpose of the googles and was both amazed and heartened by the answer. Apparently Mango has an eye problem which is affected by UV light and the googles help offset the chance of blindness. How cool is that? Though the photo is a bit blurry (Nellie was tugging on me), here's what a dog ready for space travel looks like:

Hippies (re)unite

Don't know how many times I've walked by this house and it never fully registered. There's a huge peace sign on the front that's been there quite awhile. Sign of the times or sentimental throwback? You decide.

Bicycles and blossoms

 

This magnificent craftsman style house has the most wonderful set of neon bicycles in front -- not for riding, mind you, but for garden art. I'm just guessing here, but could it represent the occupants?

Of course, I couldn't resist taking more pictures of the wonderful blooms around the neighborhood too. Enjoy:

 

 

The next three are what my aloe, bougainvillea, and lantana are supposed to look like and never do:

And these are just exquisite:

And thus endeth the neighborhood garden tour.

Blossoms are popping out all over

Walking around the neighborhood it's hard to tell we're in a serious (and getting worse) drought situation. Lake Meade and the Colorado River are at all-time lows and the snow pack isn't so great either. The flowers blooming in gardens don't seem to know the dire predictions about our water shortage though. It may be that this year I've just noticed them more, or they truly are more spectacular. Somehow, they draw me to commemorate them.

Now this is Nellie every time I stop to take pictures:

 Of course, she hasn't yet learned to stop and smell the roses: