Hmmm...I need to grow some kniphofias. I had a few here and they've not lasted....odd for such a tough plant...maybe I didn't plant in wire and the gophers got them. It's always thrilling to me, waiting for something to bloom.

I like the Kniphofia's especially when I see the hummingbirds enjoying it as well. At least this one is making a bloom again...my other plant, Kniphofia hirsuta 'Fire Dance' did only one season bloom, not as tall growing like the K. sarmentosa and fizzled out as summer ensued. I think I miscalculated on its watering needs, which confuses me since it is said to be drought tolerant...oh well..

First bloom on salvia Mulberry Jam....

Salvia Mulberry Jam is beautiful.

Yes, it looks very Mulberry-ish, doesn't it?

I will take your word for It, have never seen a Mulberry bush. The color is just gorgeous. Your picture is so clear, you can see every detail.

lol...I'm not a 'photographer'...sometimes I just get lucky with the lighting and my little camera. That's the great thing about digital now...you can take 10 shots until you get a good one...

Your right but I never do. I still have that old mentality, guess I need to get over that. Do you use a tripod? My pictures might be better if I had one becasue my hands shake.
I'm going to plant some salvias in the greenhouse; Fairy Queen, Blue Angel, Patens, Patens Cambridge Blue. They were beautiful last year. I have cuttings of Wendys Wish in the greenhouse too.

No, don't use a tripod, though my hands do shake a bit. Salvia patens does not grow here for me. It's just too dry here I think. I've tried Blue Angel, Oceana Blue, Pink Ice, Lavender Ice then decided to quit banging my head against that particular wall and go with the ones that grow well here. I've decided life's too short to deal with plants that need babying from me....

Wendy's Wish is a beauty.....

Yes, I'm at that point as well with plants. It will be awhile before she can go outside, maybe May.

Just some new blooms in time for Happy Hearts Day

Noid Phal reblooming from an old spike:



Schlumbergera continues its sporadic blooms:

Pretty, pretty...I need some orchids. I've only grown cymbidiums and that was many years ago. I was given an orchid once (sadly didn't make it, I did not treat it well)...that was scented. 'Tangerine' something I think it was. I may need to see about tracking down scented orchids.

I have 2 orchids from Trader Joes purchased a couple of years ago that are now in bloom, I do nothing for them other than occasional water, they are on my kitchen sink window sill where they get sun every morning and that seems to be the key to their health and bloom, which they do twice a year, at least.

Salvia univerticillata.....while out hacking things back, found this guy blooming. Univerticillata will get big here...upwards of 10', climbing into the trees...

First of the erodium 'Sweetheart'....this does not seem to stay alive for me in pots, but does reseed and is happiest doing that...


This is not 'blooming'..I was looking at the beautiful foliage of the variegated periwinkle and didn't think about the calandrinia next to it...and liked the combination in a pic...

2nd bloom finally out...8 more to go!

Lovely color....

Almost blooming.....
Salvia leucophylla 'Amethyst Bluff'...

And 'open'.....

Just saw these blooms peeking yesterday:

Oscularia Caulescens has started some blooms..I need more sun ..so have to reposition this container in a sunnier side:



Gaillardias are also starting to return.