Transitions

 Not much to share today, just hoping that everyone has been able to get vaccinated. Fall has made itself known, with some cool mornings and/or nights. Okay, onto the photos.

 

Suncatcher. I found this cool Etsy seller who custom prints on tempered glass. I gave him this image and voila.

Evolvulus. I never get tired of photographing this plant. I'm a sucker for true blue flowers.

There is a Begonia series called Belleconia and here's a new one I added to my garden.

Above and below are two Petunias, each with their own unique pattern.

I yanked out a dying Ninebark shrub and replanted that area a month ago. That's a golden spirea in the back and of course alyssum circling it.

The latest Salvia in my garden, this Skyscraper Orange has a lovely coral-orange color.

My Itoh peony, bought as a bulb, is making slow progress. Though it has yet to bloom, it has acquired a lovely bronze fall color to its foliage.

Gaillardias may be common but they bloom over a long period, attract bees and butterflies, and add a bit of sunshine wherever they're positioned.

This unusual Centaurea (C. ragusina) has the most silvery foliage. Looking forward to its flowers.

Tillandsia tectorum. The most silvery (and fine textures) of all air plants.

My deciduous begonias were late leafing out this year (like this B. Gryphon). Not sure why. 

Maybe only exciting to bromeliad lovers but seeing my Vriesea fenestralis bloom was a moment to savor.

Justicia Fruit Cocktail. A funny variety name but it sort of fits. Chartreuse bracts sprout bright red flowers on this plume flower.

Verbena lilacina de la Mina. This CA native sub-shrub is famous for its long blooming period and its drought tolerance.

Here's another Justicia, this one J. fulvicoma. I love its combination of reds, oranges and corals. A late bloomer but worth waiting for.

Picea Papoose. This dwarf spruce is a personal favorite. Conifers always seemed boring to me until I really began to investigate them.

Many bromeliads will color up when put in some sun. That's true for this Neoregelia, which has added a deepening purple color to its center.

Aeonium Kiwi. This pinwheel aeonium brightens up any space.

Dianthus variety. Can't remember now which one this is but I love its picotee edges.

 Azalea 'Court Jester'. This late blooming azalea's flowers are all different, with a white base and either streaks or speckles of purple.

Fall has Fallen

 Though we are a week away from the Fall Equinox, it does seem as if the first days of fall are upon us. Cooler mornings and then pleasant days. Our gardens too are in transition, as most of the spring annuals are done. And the fall/winter seasonal color plants are in at our local nurseries (cyclamen, primroses, pansies and violas etc). And for those of us with Salvias in our gardens, this is their time to shine. 

To honor the last of summer, here are some garden photos taken last week.

This Begonia variety was brought to our nursery by Kathy Eckols, without a variety name. Anyone know which one it is?

Begonias are the show right now and here's one in full bloom.

Celosia may be common but they're great for instant color.

Mandevilla Apricot. This color isn't common so I'm glad I grabbed one while I had the chance.

This unusual Centaurea (C. ragusina) has beautiful silvery foliage.

Aloe rooikappie. The colorful tubular flowers are a hit with hummers.

Though this shot is in too much shade, I wanted to show the huge leaves and interesting color on my Vitis coignetiae.

One last lily, my L. Flavia. Huge, very pink and deliciously fragrant.

One thing interesting about the bromeliad Neoregelia is that many will 'color up' in more sun. That's the case with this variety.

Monardella Marion Sampson. The 'mighty mite' of coyote mints, this guy's flowers are almost as big as the plant itself.

Here's my Lantana, now rooted down through its pot and happy as a clam.

This mixed succulent bowl features a bronze Kalanchoe.

This is a new art piece. Though it looks like glass, it's actually molded plastic. Very cool!

Duranta repens Gold Mound. After a hard prune, this golden duranta has filled out again quickly.

Neoregelia Green Apple x Vulcan. Many of the bromeliads are crosses, as is the case with this colorful Neo.

Rhipsalis variety. Neither a regular flowering plant nor a succulent. One website explains "Rhipsalis is a genus of numerous species, many of which are commonly known as mistletoe cactus or coral cactus. These plants are epiphytic or lithophytic* , jungle cacti, primarily native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America. Jungle cacti typically grow in a pocket of moss or debris in the crook of a tree branch or a rock."

Porcelain Berry vine is an apt description for this vine. Its berries start out white, then become green, blue and finally a deep purple, often with speckling.

Speaking of bromeliads, this Vriesea fenestralis has produced its first bloom spike. The flowers have yet to appear but will do so in time.

Dog Days

 August continues to plod along, with temps all over the map, fires still raging and water progressing to being more valuable than oil. As a bit of respite, here are some photos from my garden, spread over the last 3 weeks. Lilies lead the list and then a range of flowering perennials follow. Enjoy!

Lily Anouska. This roselily was my favorite new lily of the year. Very prolific and fragrant too.

Lily Sweet Surrender. I thought this variety may have died but it was just a late bloomer.

I only got one Lily Double Sensation flower this year but it was fabulous! I ordered more!

Lily Solution. Ditto. Just one flower but great!

Tho shot in a bit too much shade, this is my Lily Polar Star, a double form variety.

Lily Bombastic. Huge, vivid and fragrant flowers. Now in its 3rd year and still fabulous.

Lily Flore Pleno tiger lily. This double form is full of dark spotting.

This is a different and more typical tiger lily.

Lily Scheherazade. An Orienpet lily - meaning it's prolific, with large blooms.

Begonia Illumination Apricot. My favorite begonia. Lots and lots of apricot flowers.

Gloriosa lily. Not a true lily but its flowers have been described as 'dancing flames'.

Contrary to the regular use of the description 'blue', not many flowers are a true blue. This Salvia bullulata Pale Form does have robins egg blue flowers, albeit on the petite side.

Erythrina crista-galli. Mine almost died but then rebounded and is putting out its first flowers. As you can see, they are a vivid red.

Speaking of red flowers, my blood lily (Scadoxus) bloomed its first year. Fabulous!

Winterland orchid. This guy blooms faithfully every year, despite living outdoors.

Begonia odorata White. This is another faithfully blooming begonia.

I lost the tag to this begonia but I think it's a rhizomatous type.

This hanging basket someone keeps putting out purple and white fuchsia flowers plus Begonia boliviensis flowers (the orange ones).