No flowers open yet, but the long-awaited beschorneria bloom stalk itself is stare-worthy. Parrot colors of vivid red with buds tipped in green.
Improbably taller every day, with new subtle twists and angles to admire
It passed by the Euphorbia ammak a few days ago.
The bricks in the photo above lead to the Chinese fringe tree that bisects the narrow east side of the house.
Does Chionanthus retusus leaf out and burst into bloom simultaneously everywhere or just zone 10?
Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ is finished flowering, leaving some pretty cool seedpods
In the past, I’ve often wondered about the bocconia’s will to live. This winter’s rains have brought out its latent, robust side. I’ve even found a seedling.
Different kinds of echeverias continue to flower in their charming crookneck style. With Agave ovatifolia ‘Frosty Blue’
Surprising color match on the blooms of Echeveria pulvinata and Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’
a gift aloe, no ID
Anisodontea ‘Strybing Beauty’ is still looking very promising. Healthy, clean leaves with an airy, open habit of growth.
This will be its first summer, a true test. High on my to-do list is to start a glossary of all the plants I trial in the garden, with a thumb’s up or down.
No blooms, just enjoying the view of wet pavement. We are becoming such rain fetishists here.
Wet Agave ‘Dragon Toes’ with a flash of orange deep in the background from Aloe ‘Johnson’s Hybrid’
I’ve pulled a lot of the poppies, but there’s still a few in bloom every day.
I’d love it if Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ stopped growing now. And bloomed like this, at this size, until November.
We don’t ask much from plants, do we?
Lastly, Agave vilmoriniana, lord of all he surveys. He’s made good size over the winter too. Blooms from poppies, salvia, kangaroo paws.
Oh, and believe it or don’t, but that euphorbia is in bloom too. Subtle bordering on pointless. Euphorbia characias ‘Black Pearl.’
Now, imagine if the blooms were chartreuse up against that salvia. Taking note for next year.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens collects our Bloom Day stories the 15th of every month.
I have two Beschorneria in my garden, one has been in the ground for a few years now. I wonder when it will bloom?
Rain looks good on your garden Denise, everything so happy and fresh. I wonder what pollinates the Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’? I’ve had flowers every year but never any seed pods.
Your garden looks so lush! The rain looks good on you.
Hello!
Your lovely pictures did my heart good today–particularly as the snow/hail started coming down. 🙂 Happy Bloom Day!
@Alison, that’s what I’ve been wondering quite a few years 😉 It takes time!
@Loree, this is the first year I’ve noticed those seedpods. It is a mystery, because mine has bloomed before too, tho this year was the heaviest bloom yet.
@Heather, it’s been nothing like a Portland winter, but March has had a couple good storms.
@Linnae, think of all those lovely plants snug under the snow! As far as the hail, I sympathize. We had some overnight recently, and the agaves always show pitted evidence the next day.
Love the “view of wet pavement” image — so colorful, I think blooms would spoil it. 🙂
The Grevillea looks wonderful with your wet brick paving. And that Salvia calls to me. It’s not a bloom color I encourage in my garden, but the furry blossoms are wonderful. Enjoy the rain!
Gorgeous views of your garden! You made me laugh out loud with “Subtle bordering on pointless!”
As usual, your Bloom Day post doesn’t disappoint. Seeing that bloom stalk on the Beschorneria reminds me to have patience – mine somehow avoided inclusion in my index but it can’t be more than 3 years old. The tree is impressive! And I can only hope that my own Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ will look as pretty, should they ever decide to bloom.
Beautiful, beautiful!
That Beschorneria bloom stalk is almost lewd! Love the chorus of echeveria blooms, so graceful and understated. Echeverias I think of as the supporting characters, quietly making all of the plants that grow above them look stellar.
@Alan, I hope we get more views like that before March is over!
@Jane, that salvia is so good here that I rarely grow it — the old garden snobbery thing. I like the way the blooms curve. Purple is not a problem for me.
@Peter, and that “subtle” euphorb is reseeding. Not worth the space IMHO.
@Kris, I wish I knew more about beschorneria. Such intriguing plants. You’re having trouble getting this salvia to bloom? I bought these as one-gallons last fall, and kept them cut back through winter to get uniform size.
@Hoov, thank you, thank you!
@Max, it’s definitely not subtle!
Good that you are getting rain. Hopefully it is falling gently and not in torrents. We are only now assessing which Salvia leucantha survived our wet winter, those that did will bloom in mid-fall for us.
I know the feeling you get when you see wet pavement. I almost sighed with relief at the thought. We might get some this weekend. Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ is such a stunning plant. I am glad I finally got one and it’s doing well. Now I know what to look forward to after it blooms after seeing yours – those pods are great.