Monday, January 23, 2006

Aloe rivae Flower Buds


I'm crazy about these bicolored flower buds, in fact, I think the buds are prettier than the flowers.

Another New Birdbath

This one features my luster-glazed tiles with iridescent gold and blue.

Flower of the Day


Ferocactus latispinus (white form) I think.

Aloe ferox Flower Buds

The Thrill of Discovery!

This is an Aloe ferox which is blooming for the first time. I get unnaturally (some would think) excited when I discover an aloe with flower buds that will bloom for the first time. What will unfold....?

Brittlebush

This is one of my favorite natives, even when it's not in bloom, it is gorgeous. Strongly colored walls make great backdrops for plants.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Back Garden

Euphorbia xantii -- a native

Aloe microstigma

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Peak Season for Aloes

Winter is my favorite season for my garden since it is the peak flowering time for aloes.

Cilantro

I finally got some herbs going--from seed. This is cilantro and I have a couple of basil plants too. With an oregano or thyme plant I'll be set. I haven't been able to find one in a nursery.

Tree Aloe

I'm crazy about Aloe ferox. They can grow to 15' high and don't branch--they sort of look like palm trees. They are dependable bloomers every January.

The Perfect Birdbath

I recently made this mosaic birdbath from a large terra cotta plant saucer using my reject ceramics fragments. The birds absolutely love it!