Scorching Weather & Beautiful Blooms

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read328 views

It’s a beautiful day out here in the High Desert.
I have not done much in the garden lately due to the scorching weather, but I go out early in the morning to make sure that all the potted plants are getting enough water. I am grateful they are still thriving.

I first discovered Allium Drumstick many years ago, when I was shopping for bulbs and couldn’t find the variety I liked. The came back year after year and I enjoyed them, until a couple of days ago, when I found the long stems on the ground. It turned out that a gopher ate the roots/bulbs.
I cut a few of the stems and placed them in a vintage vase.

Allium (Sphaerocephalon) Drumstick Stems in Vintage Vase.

Training, pruning and maintaining the Amethyst Falls Wisteria have been very rewarding. Our pergola is now partially covered in gorgeous lavender-purple flowers.

Amethyst Falls Wisteria.
Common Jasmine Vine.

There are many plants currently blooming around the gardens:

Rose Mallow (Lavatera Trimestris Loveliness).

The Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’ (Variegated Society Garlic) below is one of my oldest plants, and it’s still thriving after fourteen years.

Tulbaghia Violacea ‘Silver Lace’.

Lavender bushes are getting bigger.

Lavender Phenomenal.

Some succulents are blooming, such as the Pine Cone Cactus Flower, Corsican Stonecrop flower, and Sedum Morganianum (Donkey’s Tail).

Succulents bloom.

Many rose bushes and trees are in bloom:

Miniature Rose.
French Lace Rose.
Hybrid Tea Rose ‘Love & Peace’.
Hybrid Tea Rose Rio Samba.

After a year, the Nicotiana Glauca seedling has grown quite a bit.

Nicotiana Glauca (Tree Tobacco).

The steamy temperatures and high humidity have been harsh, especially for wildlife. I found a dead hummingbird as well as a few dead lizards. Ground squirrels and gophers have been active in the garden, damaging plants, sprinkler systems, and irrigation pipes.

I find so much joy in my garden. Spending time alone with Nature has always been healing and awakening.

Happy Gardening!

A Day Well Spent In Big Bear, CA

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read316 views

Last night we finally made the decision to take a trip to Big Bear, California, before we are faced with triple-digit temperatures. Today was the day and it was awesome!

Big Bear Lake CA – The Village Welcome Sign.
Image source: Alamy.com

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We took Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley, CA.

We had brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant:
– Club Sandwich
– Bears Best Sandwich
– Fried Egg Burger
– Mushroom Burger

Brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant.

After our brunch, we visited a few shops, and took a walk around the lake.

Big Bear Lake, CA.
Big Bear Lake, CA.

On our way home, we took the Rim of The World Highway.

There’s a high school at the top of the mountain overlooking the San Bernardino Valley.

Rim of The World High School.

The view is breathtaking.

Rim of The World Hwy.
Rim of The World Highway.
Rim of The World Hwy.

It was a worthwhile adventure.

Plants are Wonderful Mood Boosters

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read438 views

For the most part, the weather has been steadily warming up. Of course, some days are as cold as winter days, but nothing serious as keeping us indoors. Trees have put out leaves, flowers are blooming, and critters are wreaking havoc in the gardens.

Pincushion Carnival Yellow is an interesting plant I saw at the nursery. I resisted the urge to purchase a few as they reminded me of Gopher plants, which are loved by Gophers. I have many yellow flowering plants in my gardens, and I think a different variety called ‘Flame Giant’ Nodding Pincushion (Leucospermum cordifolium ‘Flame Giant’) will complement the other plants and add color to the garden.

Pincushion Carnival Yellow.

My daughter’s Rose Mallow is blooming profusely.

Rose Mallow (Lavatera Trimestris Loveliness).

It has been a joy watching the Freesias.

White Freesia.

The ground cover roses weren’t doing well, so I moved them into planters, where they are thriving.

Ground Cover Rose.

The Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ have grown so much that they need their own container.

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ and Sedeveria.

When the weather outside is erratic, we can always count on plants to boost our mood.

Happy gardening!