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Seeing The Light

Flower stem emerging from Aloe petricola; Leucospermum 'Tango' first flowers color up   No gardening today.  The wind is ripping branches, leaves, and flowers from shrubs and trees today.  At least it's a cold Santa Ana this time, not hot, and a strange one, because the sky is grey with clouds instead of the usual tannish with blowing dust.  A low pressure system from the south and a high pressure system from the north are meeting to squeeze Great Basin air, sending it roaring through our neighborhood.  The neighbor's dead Eucalyptus rocks stiffly, like Frankenstein's Monster walking; the live Eucs, with considerable grace, sway.  An occasional leaf blown hard, hits window glass with a plunk.  Birds are absent.   Indoors, I look at garden photos and consider light.   Late afternoon light: Midday light: Late afternoon: Midday: Advantage, late afternoon.   Overcast morning: Sunny morning: Advantage overcast.   Late afternoon, really too late, but with the sun behind
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Favorite Plant Of The Week

No, not this one:
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I've been ill.  Nothing life-threatening, but painful--very painful--requiring doctor visits and lots and lots of pills, making me mentally foggy and good for neither gardening nor blogging.  I should be better in a few weeks.  In the mean time...fog.  
At least this is visible:
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I have been meaning to join the Danger Garden "Favorite Plant This Week" meme.  Here's my chance--I think I can get just that much done.  In a foggy way.  
Mentally, it's been like this:
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A plant that blooms briefly, just once a year, seems an appropriate choice for a favorite this week.  How about Yucca 'Bright Star'?
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Yet there is also Urginea maritima, the Cate Blanchette-as-Galadriel of flowers:
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photo fav9522_zps3ef6b5ee.jpg There is also the great new-to-me-this-year Salvia, 'Wendy's Wish', which arrived blooming, and which is still blooming.  
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Although this new Dahlia started blooming the last week of April, and is still going.
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Then there are the ever-reliables.  Plants that year in and year out, perform like champs.  Don't they deserve recognition?
For example,  Saliva 'Ultra Violet'...
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...maybe an Aloe...
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...or the always blooming 'Tamora'.
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What about the Greatly Improved?  
'Cinco de Mayo': 
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All plants that look fetching this week.  But in the end I must choose our twin Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite's.  They just look great.  I thought (agonized) about my selection of Cercis replacements for so long, and to have the selection be a good one (apparently) is downright joy.
See?
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Comments

  1. dianneAugust 28, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    All of the flowers are beautiful dear Hoover, your garden is a picture of colours and textures. I am very sorry that you are ill and in pain, I hope you will recover quickly and be well again very soon.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  2. AlisonAugust 28, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Being sick sucks! Hope you're back to sharpness soon. That Lagerstroemia IS dynamite! Is it one of those crape myrtles that have lovely peely bark too?

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 31, 2013 at 10:19 AM

      Thank you Alison. Time will tell on the lovely peely bark. I hope so...

      Delete
  3. danger gardenAugust 28, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I am sorry to hear you're feeling poorly and in pain. Hopefully it won't last as long as a "few weeks"...

    As for your fav...WOW! Beautiful, and a wonderful photograph too. You can photograph better foggy than a lot of people who have clear heads.

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  4. Janneke August 28, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    O what a variety of beautiful flowers. I have never heard of the Urginea maritima before, but it's a wonderful flower. Last picture of the Lagerstroemia is gorgeous too. What a choice you have in your sub tropical area. Hope you are feeling better now and are not in pain. Wish you all the best and a quick recovery.

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  5. Kris PetersonAugust 28, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    I'm sorry to hear that you're in pain and foggy with meds. Still, you managed a lovely post. Re your choice of a favorite plant, your "problem" seems to be that you have too much to choose from. In contrast, I'm having difficulty coming up with anything that excites me this week. Although I love your choice of the Crape Myrtles, I was please to see Salvia 'Ultra Violet' on your post - I was looking at it just yesterday on High Country Garden's site and wondering how it would perform here.

    I hope you're feeling better soon.

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 31, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Thank you Kris. 'Ultra Violet' has exceeded expectations and doesn't get too large. These are impeccable virtues, no?

      Delete
  6. MulchMaidAugust 28, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    I love that crape myrtle. I confess I'm on a bit of a crape myrtle jag this month, so it fits right in. Hope you're soon back to normal and gardening like the dynamo I know (like Loree said, your foggy photos are still better than most peoples clear-headed!)

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 31, 2013 at 10:22 AM

      Thank you Maid. Not only do I love that crepe myrtle--I think I'm IN love with it. Obsessed!

      Delete
  7. ksAugust 28, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    Oh Hoov, sick is bad, pain is bad. I hope Mr Hoov is attending to your every need and the puppies are keeping a respectful distance. The Crepe Myrtle is an oo-la-la !

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  8. Deanne FortnamAugust 29, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    So very sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hope you get well soon.

    this is a beautiful post and that last photo of the Crepe Myrtle is fabulous!

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  9. HannahAugust 30, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    Your fiery 'Dynamite' is gorgeous, but you had me at Tamora, I love those sunset colors. I hope you are all fixed up soon, and out of the fog.

    ReplyDelete

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