Friday, November 28, 2008

Grasshopper

We've had an abundance of these guys this season--don't seem to be causing significant damage--I like them.

Virginia Creeper

I like the round pads which attach the stem to the wall--they are STRONG too--pulled the paint right off when I removed them once.  This wall doesn't have paint--the color comes from spraying iron sulfate on the fresh stucco (which also had red iron oxide pigments in it).  The idea is that it never needs painting--very good idea with all of this sun--we'll see how it holds up. 

Bougainvillea

Common, but gorgeous.

'Tis the Season for Aloe Buds

It makes me amazingly happy to find Aloe flower buds in the axils of the leaves.  I prowl around the garden every few days looking for them!

Caesalpinnea pulcherrima

I love these!  I have both red and yellow varieties.  They need to be whacked back each year so they don't look scraggly.  I think they'll bloom all year if they get enough water.