Hellebore 'Blushing Bridesmaid'
What's blooming now in the garden? A selection taken as I wandered about at different times yesterday, not organized in any logical manner.
Alstroemeria 'Inca' series, with Sedum 'Angelina:
'Pink Gruss an Aachen':Just touches of color amidst fresh green is a mark of early Spring:
A layering of Agave 'Ivory Curls' flowers against a background of Lagerstroemia 'Ebony Embers' and Leucandendron 'Pom Pom':'Brass Band' will look stunning in about three days:The Calylophus 'Southern Belle' is awake again amidst Centaurea ragusina andAgaves 'Blue Glow' and ovatifolia:Plenty of buds on 'Julia Child':
Leucospermum 'Blanch Ito':Leucospermum 'Mardi Gras Orange Ribbons':
Avocado 'Fuerte'. Bees love Avocado flowersGrevillea 'Superb' with a very healthy but not yet flowering Leucospermum in the background:Sweet peas climbing the 'Sticks On Fire' Euphorbia. I'm disappointed in the Sweet Pea color. I planted white sweet peas here to go along with the white roses 'Bolero' and 'Easy Spirit' in the same planting bed, but they look rather boring so far. Perhaps when more open...The area under 'Oshio Bene' acer with Alstroemeria, Cordylines, Bromeliads, Hakone grass, yellow Clivia, and Sedum 'Angelina':The Hellebores are still looking great. This one is 'Penny's Pink'...maybe.
Alstroemeria 'Indian Summer':
'Pink Gruss an Aachen' again. So great to see this one really thrive. For a decade, it did its best in a less ideal location. In this new place it's even better:Hydrangea foliage. Even the plain green foliage of Hydrangea macrophylla is gorgeous in Spring. At least to me it is:Sweet Pea 'April In Paris':
All the Cuphea 'Vermillionare' I cut back over the past few months are growing, blooming, and feeding hummingbirds once more:Iochroma 'Purple Queen'Cerinthe major:Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'. These the same as the Cupheas--all cut back one by one over the past few months, all grown back afresh and feeding hummers again:Tomatoes!Sweet Pea--not sure which one. A volunteer from last year's plants:
'Mystic Spires Blue' Salvia fresh, in the background some Dutch Iris that toasted in last week's heat wave:'The Ambridge Rose' leaning against a wall, enjoying the day:Evolvulus 'Hawaiian Blue Eye's. A very old plant that has endured and endured.
The native Lupines came late, but are as plentiful as ever. They seed themselves on this slope. Arrow indicates the Hakea has survived being planted--will it be happy?
Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream':The Aloe that signals the finale of Fall/Winter Aloe season, A. pseudorubroviolacaea:Aeonium 'Zwartzkop' amid Eucalyptus 'Moon Lagoon':Limonium perezii, because rabbits are scarce this year and haven't eaten them all:
We're in the back gully now. TB Iris 'Paprika Fonos':
Hippeastrum 'Apple Blossom':With yet another Salvia 'Wendy's Wish':
The native Rhus ovatifolia, common name Lemonade berry. It appears to be thriving. It is native to this very area, so not a surprise.
Hippeastrum 'Rilona':'Rose Rhapsody':'Bishops Castle': 'Peter Mayle': 
Clematis 'The President':Back out of the back gully, there's the plant picture of Hellebore 'Blushing Bride':And now the froggies! Surprisingly, real ones. Not this old friend:
We have heard them singing at night again in winter and spring since the long drought ended. They had vanished during the drought, but appeared again after the miracle wet winter of 22-23. I've never seen one in our garden, though I've heard them. It was a surprise to see two enjoying the flowing water in one of the pieces of Koi pond filtration.
Fully grown, the Pacific Tree Frog is only about 2" long. See it there in the corner?
Here's the other one. They tucked themselves into a hiding spot when they sensed my presence:A very long post. I've not blogged much lately--distracted by other things--a floral arrangement class, regular gym visits to get my strength back, avoidance of the internet and its news coverage. The internet is not what it was when I started blogging.
Blogging began as a homey, individual, personal activity. First Facebook and then Instagram, and now TikTok have commercialized and monetized individual voices, mostly in terrible ways.
Activity and motivation has moved from celebrating fun hobbies to making big money by encouraging consumption, stupid or dangerous behavior, anger, division and hate. I wonder more and more about whether or not it's time for me to vanish from the internet completely.
Until I do, more flowers!
Back out of the back gully, there's the plant picture of Hellebore 'Blushing Bride':
And now the froggies! Surprisingly, real ones. 
Here's the other one. They tucked themselves into a hiding spot when they sensed my presence:
A very long post. I've not blogged much lately--distracted by other things--a floral arrangement class, regular gym visits to get my strength back, avoidance of the internet and its news coverage. The internet is not what it was when I started blogging. 
Please don't vanish. We need blogs like yours to show that there are sane people out there and that there is hope that this will go away at some point like a bad dream. Your garden is looking glorious. I've never seen the slope full of lupine. It's pretty spectacular.
ReplyDeleteHappy bees up there in those Lupines. It's a bad dream, yes indeed. "The arc of history..." in the meantime, more flowers!
DeleteIt's that time of year when it's almost easier to say what isn't blooming than what is. I'm glad you decided to share your bounty - and the frogs. I've yet to see a frog in my current garden and have to wonder how the lizards would react if they ever encountered a frog in "their" territory.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel about the news, the internet, and social media in general but I hope you don't decide to exit with your blog. The garden blogging community may be smaller and more commercial in some cases than it was but there are still those of us who appreciate the simple joy of sharing of our experiences with plants and the practice of gardening.
Well said: sharing the experience and practice of gardening is one of the best parts. We're not alone in our joys and disappointments.
DeleteI look forward to seeing your blog posts, so I hope you don't go away.
ReplyDeleteStill working at it, and what is more healing than a garden?
DeleteI stumbled upon your blog while doing plant research, wanting to see how well they grow in SoCal (and seeing it grow in your garden was very helpful!). I must admit I was unfamiliar with the world of gardening blogs at the time, but I have so enjoyed getting a peek into your piece of Eden. I understand your feelings about the internet and everything else, and while I rarely comment, I wanted to make sure I voiced my appreciation for your blog. It has brought me a great deal of joy, inspiration, and knowledge. I, too, hope you don't go away, but even if you do, I hope you know you aren't alone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts. The widespread community of avid gardeners created by blogs is a good thing that somewhat balances all the bad stuff out there. No, we're surely not alone. Best wishes for a beautiful garden!
DeleteI'm not a big rose person, but yours always look spectacular! I don't know anybody who grows roses as well as you do.
ReplyDeletePlease please continue blogging!
I'm trying, but just remember you are so much better at it than I!
DeleteI, for one, am not giving up the fight against rampant commercialism/consumerism and our toxic culture. Even if my one little tiny blogging voice doesn't reach anyone and I am writing into the void, I am here. I exist. And my existence is enough. I enjoy writing, processing my thoughts about my observations on the world. It brings me peace and understanding. I am not willing to give that up just because the world seems to be changing into something I don't like. Words cannot adequately express how much I enjoy your blog. Having met you last summer, it has made it even that much more special. Just knowing you are out there, enjoying your garden, is a balm that makes the world a better place. I find myself increasingly thankful for the friendships and avenues for connecting that I do have. I am leaning into that. It's been a lifesaver. I am making intentional decisions to limit my interactions with the toxic parts of our society and to cultivate a good life, so that I can be there for my friends when they need me. Our relationships are perhaps the most important part of a healthy life. Remember, you are not alone. We are not alone. There are good people all around us and we are more powerful together than we are when that fake online world tries to convince us we are divided, helpless, and hopeless.
ReplyDeleteWhat brings you peace and joy? Lean into that.
Oh Jerry you are most certainly touching all who read your thoughtful and sensitive perspectives on plants, land, travel. You were a delight at the Fling and made it more fun for all of us.
DeleteI will think about all who are out there working in their garden, enjoying it, struggling to make it better. We are a fine tribe, open and welcoming, not shunning, not judging, nurturing, learning from our mistakes, not alone, certainly not alone.
I love seeing what's going on in your garden - it's a bright spot, ditto what Kris said! Your garden is so fresh and lush, it's crazy how much you have bursting right now. That photo from under the Acer is fabulous, dang I love how it's put together. Frogs, a surprising and welcome guest. My Mexicola avocado is downright pathetic compared to yours. Oh well, it's kind of a trial situation anyway.
ReplyDeleteAvocados struggle to get going, but once they get going, they go! The plants under the Acer were all accidental. They seemed to have arranged and organized themselves somehow.
DeleteWow, what can I say? Stunning views, and there's so much happening there. Your photos are exquisite, as always, and the plants are happy and healthy. You made my day, so...what the others said: Please continue. Your blog is a bright spot in my days. <3
ReplyDeleteYour kind comments and your garden are joys for me.
DeleteWhen I click on "The area under 'Oshio Bene' acer" it fills my computer screen and looks like a tropical paradise. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteSweet Pea 'April In Paris' suppose to be supremely fragrant. Do you find this to be true?
Chavli
That area under the Acer was never thought through--it just happened over time. Plants that needed or could handle a lot of spring/summer shade just ended up there. Dumb luck. It looks quite good this year, tho I need to get the 'Rock N Roll' Alstroemeria reduced. It wants to take over and is trying its best to do so.
Delete'April In Paris' is indeed very fragrant--though so is 'Cupani'. I always buy the ones that say "good fragrance". A sweet pea without fragrance---really??!!?
You're right about most of the internet, of course. I use it to read the news and purchase what I need for my home since I'm not crazy about shopping. Never fell prey to the social media thing. Your blog is my oasis. I love the little gems of information you drop here and there, and seeing your garden and all the beauty you nurture. I never expect to be half the gardener you are, but I can dream. You teach just by being, and showing. The Peter Mayle rose was a nice surprise. He wrote one of my favorite books (A Year in Province). I listen to it often. It's like an old friend. As I was driving into work the other day, I took the slow way, because it was prettier and because I just didn't want to deal with the 15. The mountains are so green this time of year, the ceanothesis [sic] is in bloom, the grasses along the road are that beautiful fresh spring green, and there are lots of flowering trees. The road takes me past a number of nurseries, so I see many of the plants they grow from the road — succulents, roses, trees, and there is even a strawberry farm. It takes me longer to get to work, but the time is well spent. In this so very crazy world we are living in right now, I'll take whatever nuggets of beauty and civility and peace that I can find. Your blog is one of them. I am grateful that you continue to share. Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteMe neither always avoided the social media thing. A little good mixed in with a whole lot of awful.
DeleteYour non-15 drive to work sounds lovely, the California that used to be and still is, here and there. Time very well spent.
Thank you for your kind comments. They keep me blogging, I think, the kindness and opinions and perspectives of people who drop by this little backwater blog.
Yes, the California that used to be. You are surrounded by the kindness of talented people who appreciate you sharing your garden and yourself. Happy Easter! Elizabeth
DeleteIt's voices like yours that keep me sane with all the noise on the internet! Your hellebores still look so fresh, mine are all just about finished for the year. Re: sweet peas climbing the 'Sticks On Fire' Euphorbia, now I've seen it all!
ReplyDeleteSanity--must hang on tight. It's a bumpy ride now.
DeleteThat Euphorbia is my best sweet pea trellis! I keep the Euphorbia because of that. Gardens need a sense of humor, right?
Some of the Hellebores took their time--the first ones are starting to fade....but it is April, after all.