Euphorbia ammak’s big impact

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Despite its small and underwhelming size, I finally decided to plant this euphorbia in the ground, hoping it grows faster here than in its pot.
Surprisingly, everybody seems quite impressed, including Evie, who wrapped herself around it like a snake Sunday morning.

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She seems to be enjoying her status as the last cat standing, becoming much more sociable. I think the other ones might have bullied her a bit.
We’ve always assumed her shyness was of the kind shared by all white creatures, vulnerable because of their high visibility and in constant fear of being swooped on from above.
That’s our theory anyway. I can’t attest to its biological accuracy.
If my memory can be trusted, she was named by the boys for the fox character in Pokémon. “Eevee” would be the technically correct spelling.

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Behind Evie is the big iron basket Reuben gifted me, which has been turned into an ottoman/table. Marty sawed off the enormous and sturdy handle, breaking only a couple blades in the process. What a sport.

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Wish I had three more. Nestled under the wings of a beschorneria, Agave ‘Little Shark,’ also going by ‘Royal Spine,’ was planted here earlier in the year.

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As long as she doesn’t lay on top of Aloe capitata var. quartzicola, Evie’s welcome to share this little succulent garden.

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The aloe comes armed as well, so I don’t think there’s any real worry.

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Agave ‘Cornelius’ is also making good size here and capable of defending itself against loungers and diggers.

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I’d love some towering columns of this euphorbia from Saudi Arabia. I wouldn’t refuse some towering Euphorbia ingens ‘Variegata’ either.
I fantasize about knocking on doors and making offers whenever I see mature specimens of these two around town.
Evie can cozy up to E. ammak all she wants, as long as she doesn’t use it as a scratching post.


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7 Responses to Euphorbia ammak’s big impact

  1. Kris P says:

    Evie looks very well behaved. I admire her choices in selecting seating positions. Pipig, my female cat, has also undergone a personality change since my alpha male cat passed away earlier this year – she now talks up a storm and, while I initially thought this might indicate anxiety, I now think she’s expressing satisfaction with her solo status.

  2. Denise says:

    Kris, Evie has also become “talkative” too! She seems much happier solo. And our last cat to go was the alpha male….hmmm.

  3. Hoov says:

    “shyness was of the kind shared by all white creatures”

    Ha ha ha! You haven’t met the puppies.

  4. Denise says:

    Hoov, and wouldn’t apply to polar bears either!

  5. ks says:

    I had a lovely collection of these cool telephone-pole-ish Euphorbias in my possession when we moved to Norcal in 1986, sadly in my ignorance they were left outside the first winter and passed on. Replacements were nowhere to be found, until I discovered The Great Petaluma Desert in the late 80’s –virtually the only place you could find cactus and succulents in this area back in those days. I thought they were defunct , but recently found they are still in business… a trip may be in order.

  6. Denise says:

    Oh, Kathy, that must have hurt. I visited the GPD when Western Hills was open with the original owners. Found my first spiral aloe there! And it was an enormous specimen. Treated it like a regular aloe (sun/little water) and killed it. That’d be great if they’re still open. Maybe sometime when you’re home this summer I’ll pick you up and we’ll do the nurseries 😉

  7. reuben says:

    Hi, Denise, I think the big metal basket makes a perfect ottoman! Kudos to Marty for a job well-done.

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