In my continuing saga, Stranger in a Strange land (kudos to Denise Maher for the pithy observation,) I’m trying to sort out how to think about Sunnylands–apparently a place of world-wide fame. I’m sure I missed the royal treatment generally reserved for visiting dignitaries, but still, in strolling the gardens–impressive though they be–I came away confused.
I thought I’d let a couple of our nurseries describe the varied colors of this fabulous plant, after all they say it much better than I could:
“This ever-colorful evergreen’s leaves keep growing in yellow-orange-red-green marbled patterns…” – Cistus Nursery
“New growth emerges in tones of hot orange-red and then changes to gold that is irregularly splashed on deep green leaves. NO OTHER HARDY VINE has foliage this color and this dramatic.” – Xera Plants
We’re four days back from spending a long weekend in Palm Springs, and I’ve yet to catch up with myself. My family lured me out of town by giving me the trip as a birthday present. Smart. I’ve a wee tendency to imagine catastrophe and thus inclined to stay close to “home base.” Wouldn’t it be ironic if I was sitting here feeling all snug in my house, and a Fed Ex Plane known for skirting our eaves every evening seriously undershot the airport?
There was a rescue operation, on a hot and miserable morning back in August of 2014. I’d taken a walk past Patricia’s old garden and spotted a new crop of Echium wildpretii seedlings. Knowing the new owners were planning on a clean sweep (out with the plants, in with the lawn) Patricia and I were there early the next day to dig.
We’re taking a rare weekend away from real life–in Palm Springs, Cali-for-nia. It’s hot, it’s bright, and I’ve seen some fabulous desert plants. Maybe next week, when I’m not busy doing nothing, I can tell you more about it.
Initially this post was going to be the 3rd in my “never say never” series. After all I never thought I would be planting Begonias in my garden, and certainly not in my much loved chartreuse Circle Pot. But then I realized it wasn’t so much about breaking the Begonia barrier as it was having fun.
Plants surprise me every time. I know they grow and all, but holy moly, the lengths to which they go. When we removed our 12′ x 40′ section of mass planted juniper, I didn’t have an exact plan. Except for the little lower bed which spoke to me right away: Sedum Corner. And I am happy to report that in just its second season, it’s fabulous. (more…)
Last weekend was the annual migration — tender plants up from the basement, shade pavilion greenhouse walls down and those plants set free. It really is quite the production, I was fortunate my husband helped move a lot of them.
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