Random photos from Huntington. Agave ocahui has long fibers curving up the lower part of the inflorescence.
Here are three A. ocahui in bloom:
The coating on the black tips of--Agave applanata 'Cream Spike'(?)--creates a purple haze on the base of the black spines. A cool effect.
Echinopsis robinsoniana. We've had two wonderful weeks of cool, overcast weather with a couple minor rain storms; what a pleasure it has been. It makes for white-skied photographs, yet I'll take the cool weather over heat any day.
A mass planting of Echium wildprettii commencing its show.
This small area will be eye-catching for the next couple of months.
A mass planting of Aeonium 'Mardi Gras', Echeveria elegans(?), and a rock near the Echiums.
A very deep green Agave marmorata. Mine are blue-green to nearly silver. The deep green version is just as good.
A Euphorbia beginning late spring bloom:
Many Cacti blooming.
Intense color
I liked the line of black Aeonium here--they gave the scene line and direction.
My favorite image of the visit was this: Yucca rostrata in bloom with two Blue Flame Agave at their base. The 'Blue Flame' leaves look very flame-like when the plants are mature. A blue sky would have made it perfect.
Now a dramatic change of surroundings at the entrance to the Shakespeare garden. Green, the green that screams "well watered". Agapanthus:
Cosmos:
Back at the new entrance garden, they've installed a more permanent solution to prevent foot traffic on the rill. After a recent blog post about the entrance garden, I received an email from a Huntington worker who explained that the rill was intended to be walkable. However, visitors quickly began using the rill as a toddler wading pool and infant bathing station, which was not intended. Hence the wire trellis barriers there the last time we visited. They've been upgraded to these:
A Mallard was the only wader we saw. My other favorite image of the day. The Mallard was glaring at everyone who passed. He had attitude. His rill.
Many more plants in the ground since last we were there, and less marigolds.
Update: added shot of 'Cream Spike' to try to indicate size. The lavender-blue tip effect may also be more visible.
Also--a forgotten photo of Echinopsis robinsoniana--how could I forget such a flower?
I think the top photo of Opuntia santa-rita(?) is one of your best ... the four cladodes stacked up together in ever lightening shades with the two darker buds for balance in the corner is exquisite. O. santa-rita is my favorite cactus; if that is its name. I think there is a O. basilaris sold that is rosy-colored, do you know?
ReplyDeleteI used to volunteer in the herb/Shakespeaere garden and I still have the biggest beef with them. There are 183 flower/plants mentioned by Shakespeare, even mediterranean plants from Italy, even aloe. Why doesn't the Huntington stick with them?
Thanks, that one turned out nice.
DeleteShall I compare thee to an Agapanthus--no, it doesn't go like that, does it?
Hah! The glaring mallard is kind of hilarious. Thanks for sharing your photos from the Huntington, since I ended up not going recently when I was in L.A., due to not feeling well. I might get a do-over next year. Also: what is wrong with people?
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed the Huntington--but it will be there next year, I'm sure. I don't know what's wrong with people--I'm still waiting for an explanation. ;^)
DeleteThe rostrata and blue flame is just perfection! Although here I prefer rostratas and linearifolias not blooming at all.
ReplyDeleteNot blooming at all? Because of the branching? I hope my linearifolia doesn't bloom for a long time--it has just formed a visible trunk.
DeleteStunning. This is plain beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSo many interesting and beautiful plants, foliage and flowers in your photos dear Hoover. I think a rill is a wonderful addition to a large garden, it has a cooling effect.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
xoxoxo ♡
And it attracts grumpy ducks! :^)
DeleteWhen I visited last December I stood there trying to visualize all the Echium in flower, thinking it would be amazing. Thanks for a glimpse of the magic.
ReplyDeleteIt was like a choir all standing up at once, getting ready to sing the "Ode To Joy". :)
DeleteLove the a rostrata and agave picture as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Spiky!
DeleteAnother glimpse of paradise. Perfect lighting, too.
ReplyDeleteHow large was that Agave applanata 'Cream Spike'? There's so much misinformation out there as to its eventual size. I have one in the ground now but it hasn't started its transformation from juvenile to adult yet.
It was maybe 18"-20" in diameter, not huge by any means. I added another photo of it--perhaps that will give an idea of the size.
DeleteThe light was soft towards the end of our visit, earlier it was rather dark--the overcast was heavier.
Thank you for the second photo of the 'Cream Spike'. It's a truly beautiful plant. The regular A. applanata can get quite large--up to 6 ft. across according to Greg Starr--so there's definitely room to grow for this 'Cream Spike'.
DeleteMy fave photo of this lot is the first: Lighting, composition...everything works.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's mostly in focus! Miracles happen.
Deleteyes, the rostratas and Blue Flame. Yes, yes, yes.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that the Hunt. contacted you to explain the rill gate. That Cream Spike is slooow here too but pups prolifically at a small size.
Fabulous pairing. I now know what my rostrata will get at her feet.
DeleteYes, it was a kick to get that email. The marigolds were also explained.
I just *knew* that the rill was designed to be walkable. Have to say the 'gate' is a fairly elegant solution, if in fact it is keeping pibbles from using it as a toddler pool/bath.
Delete