The Moment Of Lush


 Above, from extreme lower left to far upper right, South African Leucadendron, California native Quercus agrifolia, South African Leucospermum, Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite', silver leafed Texan Leucophyllum, silver coned Leucadendron linifolium, and needle leafed Australian Calothamnus villosus have grown to create a mass of billowing foliage to contrast with the precise shapes and crisp lines of Agaves, Aloes, stones.  

Lush.  Even a low-water-use garden can look lush and verdant.  The front slope has lately taken on that look thanks to the growth of Australian and South African shrubs, a pair of Texans and a pair of Californians.  Now is the moment of lush.

There was a mockingbird singing away in the most beautiful manner while I took pictures.  You can see him as a tiny mark on the edge of the chimney cylinder.  
 The moment after lush is overgrown.  The moment before, gawky.  After overgrown comes decline and ruin--or rebilitation and renewal.  Each state has its moment.
 Yet to come is trimming up the Dasylirion's skirt (room for more Aloes!), moving a Yucca currently encroaching on Metrosideros 'Springfire', pulling a bloomed-out Agave, hacking back the neighbor's Magnolia.  
Will you ever look better than this, Opuntia?
 Not now, not today for overgrown.  Movie stars have their moment of fame, politicians their moments of success and of downfall...

 ...while gardens have their moment of Lush, of just right-ness.  
 Which for the front slope, is right now. 

Comments

  1. For a second I mistook the dasylirion for a xanthorrhea. Your slope is phenomenal, some of my favorite planting. There's an oak there too? Holy mole...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Considering how cluelessly and randomly I stuck plants in. The plants deserve all the credit.

      Delete
  2. What good phrases you come up with ... the Big Broil, the Moment of Lush. And, yes, you are quite right: gawky, lush and overgrown. Gotta catch it while you can and you did so. Lushness. To me that is the essence of a GARDEN

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lushness, yes for me too. And can be done on modest irrigation.

      Delete
  3. So lovely -- you've done a great job! Surely that first photo does not show the slope bed that you've just recently redone? If so, that's amazing progress already!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is the south slope. The one done (overall) most recently is the west slope.

      I have been futzing with those Agaves and Aloes in the first photo. I added individual little micro-sprayers because everything was so desperate for water, which did enable some growth. Yes even Agaves need water. Our rain was less than seven inches since 10/1/2015. :(

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Happy hummer, he's been guarding the place for a while, waiting for lady hummers to show up.

      Delete
  5. Beautiful vignettes Gail, just lovely and the lushness defies the water restrictions you guys have there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! The shrubs have proven to be quite wonderful plants--much better than I expected.

      Delete
  6. Fantastic! No Norma Desmond performances permitted?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're read for their close-up, Mr. DeMille.

      Delete
  7. Yes, the moment of lush. Dammit, why isn't it more than a moment ?

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks. so. good. I dearly love that "California-style" lush look, and you've got it - in spades!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're pretty eclectic here. A little bit of everything.

      Delete
  9. I wish I could pop right over for a visit! It looks amazing, glad you're out there admiring and enjoying all your hard work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please pop over if you are ever in the neighborhood!

      Delete
  10. You know how people with a view always say "You should have seen it yesterday"? None of that here. It's your (its) moment and I'm so happy to share it. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Always interested in your thoughts.

Any comments containing a link to a commercial site with the intent to promote that site will be deleted. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.