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'Yellow Bird' And Her "Chicks"
Hooded Orioles have been nectar feeding from the Callistemon flowers.
Attention getting:
I put out some oranges to see if they would go for those as well. They investigated, did not partake, but I did manage a through-the-window photo of one of these shy, cautious beauties.
Different yellow bird--Leucospermum 'Yellow Bird' now in spring glory.
Big Mama
Her three "chicks"--seedlings--are now three years old. Two are blooming for the first time. They vary greatly in size and growth habit while their flowers are essentially identical to Mama.
Low, sprawling, dense, big
Open Octopus--that's weirdly cool
Petite and tree-like
And this morning, possibly a new seedling. I planted several seeds in this spot when I planted the other seeds, and these never sprouted until, surprise!, now. Maybe the scent of the 'Texas Supersweet' onion scared it out of the soil.
Other flowers appearing as April nears.
Hunnemannia fumariifolia with ever blooming Verbena 'De la Mina'
California poppy flowers now appearing also
Agave flowers for the bees and hummers. A Western Scrub Jay was even at them.
The roses will get going big time in three or four days when it warms up. Lots and lots of buds.
'Twilight Zone' (very appropriate name for the current pandemic)
And the brief but always delightful joy of "Dutch" Iris. Inspired by the enthusiasm of a garden club speaker about spring bulbs, I planted more Iris, Freesias, and Triteleia this past autumn.
Hope you are all well.
I've always wanted to attract one of those. I have put out fruit and it is never touched. We may not be in the region for them. They are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMight be a rare visitor that far north. Mostly areas south of about Napa along the west coast. The brilliance of that yellow is arresting!
DeleteLove that composition with the orange rinds! Seeing your magnificent mama 'Yellow Bird' takes me back to my first sight of one at Roger's, before I knew what a leucospermum was, and then they pulled all that planting for the restaurant --- and I think I may have found a spot for these sprawling shrubs in the front garden...yipee! It all looks grand.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember Roger's fabulous arrangement of 'Yellow Bird's, Coleonema 'Sunset Gold', and the big golden Cupressus macrocarpa--and suddenly they were all gone. But now you can get Cocktails To Go delivered to your waiting vehicle...hopefully with the Designated Driver at the wheel...
Delete'High Gold' has a vertical habit. That would save you a load of space.
The orioles and your Leucospermum mom and chicks are beautiful. The colour of the Dutch iris is so intense. I planted some in pots and am eagerly awaiting their appearance. Stay healthy and safe.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Dutch Iris. I just adore their saturated color.
DeleteThanks, and the same back atcha!
If I ever get a self-seeded Leucospermum I'll be gob-smacked. You have the touch, HB! Your octopus -like "chick looks and behaves like my 'Goldie'.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
You either have to give the seeds a smoke treatment (difficult) or a soak in 30% hydrogen peroxide (easy). They have a thick coating to inhibit germination until the next a wildfire in their native Fynbos (so I have read).
DeleteWow, Hooded Oriole in your garden. What a beautiful bird. I have seen this bird several time but only one time in CA. We have Baltimore Orioles that nest in our area. I have put out oranges for them. None of my birds like oranges. They must not winter where oranges are available and haven't learned of their delights.
ReplyDeleteYour other yellow birds are gorgeous. They look so cheerful.
All is well and good here. Be well, be happy... Have a great weekend.
They are so gorgeous. The females are a much duller color but are also sleek and graceful. Later in summer the ones here may be interested in oranges. There is so much of everything right now for them to feed on, Aloes, Agaves, Metrosideros besides the Callistemon. They eat a lot of caterpillars, too, which is great!
DeleteSame to you, kind Lisa, be well, be happy.
So lucky you are able to attract orioles. I wonder if the Leucospermum colour attracted him? Neat to see how seedlings differ from each other and their parents. Just like human ones.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled they visit. Didn't realize they liked Callistemon flowers so much, my dumb luck! They feed on the Aloe and Agave flowers too. They nest on the underside of palm fronds, so that is a big attraction for them as some of the neighbors have palms.
DeleteYes, seedlings differ, just like humans. We're not so different from the rest of the planet.
My favorites here in Phoenix are Freesias. They do so well here in the spring and die back and rest in the ground during the hot summer! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThey do that here, too. And so fragrant! Love them.
DeleteSo beautiful! Just looking at your photos makes my blood pressure go down.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a lot of poppies this year. Too dry?
That's good. We all need to take good care of ourselves. Canadian Daughter also home now as well?
DeletePoppies here are late. Popping now, though. Drier up your way than here? We had an excellent March, I think better than up north. AZ got a lot of rain this winter--they are probably going to have a gorgeous April before the heat really kicks in come May.
Here we get Baltimore Orioles - they also like to eat oranges, but also grape jelly by the beakfull! Those Agave flowers are amazing!
ReplyDeleteGrape jelly!?!?! Ha ha! Never would have thought of that!
DeleteAgaves go up in a blaze of glory, and feed a lot of bees in the process.