DAHLIA CLOSE UP

MACRO PHOTO: DAHLIA
I find that miracles happen in my garden every day.
It is always a blessing and moment in gratitude when I discover a new bloom!

DAHLIA: ELEGANCE AND DIGNITY

DAHLIA- ELEGANCE AND DIGNITY
Amazing and perfect Dahlia blooming in my garden this month. 

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS: COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS HAS HAD MEANINGS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND FLORIOGRAPHY (the language of flowers) BECAME POPULAR IN FRANCE IN 1810-1850.

"Daffodils signal new beginnings, daisies innocence. Lilacs mean the first emotions of love, periwinkles tender recollection. Early Victorians used flowers as a way to express their feelings—love or grief, jealousy or devotion. Now, modern-day romantics are enjoying a resurgence of this bygone custom, and this book will share the historical, literary, and cultural significance of flowers with a whole new generation. With lavish illustrations, a dual dictionary of flora and meanings, and suggestions for creating expressive arrangements, this keepsake is the perfect compendium for everyone who has ever given or received a bouquet."

Sunflower Heirloom Seeds

This is a great time to start planting Sunflowers for summer blooms. Choosing to plant sunflowers of any height and variety gives the garden a beautiful summer ambiance.  Sunflowers have long been used as a food and oil supply for cooking, but their beauty makes their value that much more special. The Sunflower symbolizes happiness, longevity, warmth and beauty. A great garden flower!

6-8 foot sunflowers peek over the fence line

small size sunflower for floral display

late summer sunflowers used in a fall display last year

One of my favorite sunflowers- from Renee's Seeds

Succulents: Aeoniums

Aeonium Succulents: 

Leaves arranged in rosettes and flower with white or yellow blooms. 

From the Crassulaceae family of succulents and look like large rose flowers. 

Drought tolerant and easy to grow. 

They do not like intense heat or frost.

Black Rose with Lavender in my front planter beds

Black Rose MacroPhoto 

Variegated Aeonium

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 

May today be a day of thanksgiving for our relationship with our mother's. For those who have passed away and for the memories that will always be with us... blessings.

Purple Contessa Flower

Agave Victoria-reginae

This agave has the look of hand painted white lines on leaves. A slow grower and drought tolerant, a landscape design gem! Grows in USDA zone 9-12. High heat tolerance, full sun and can survive temperatures as low as 12 degrees F. This Agave was named after the English Queen Victoria with several varieties and can take up to 40 years to bloom. Small spines are on the tip of each leaf which reminds me of an artichoke. 

Ocean Theme Landscaping Gallery of Photos

Ocean Themed Landscaping, Drought Tolerant and Water Wise. I use all types of mediums to create a water wise landscaping with an ocean theme and peaceful oasis effect.

Ideas: Nautical items, Antique pieces, Driftwood, Seashells, Japanese Glass Floats, Rope, Cement Sea Figures, Glass Mulch, Moonstones, Aloe, Succulents, Cactus, Palms, Euphorbias, Sand, Antique Coke bottles, etc. The list is endless! 

Pinterest Photo Gallery Link

BLoSsOm bLiSs

"What a strange thing! to be alive beneath cherry blossoms."

- Kobayashi Issa, Poems

I pulled my car over on the side of the road to catch this beauty last week on the windy roads in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. An ornamental Cherry 'Sakura' Tree in full bloom.
Link to the National Cherry Blossom Festival ongoing this month in Washington D.C.

'Sakura' Ornamental Cherry Tree
Pinterest Bliss Photos

Torrey Pines State Reserve Day Trip

Torrey Pines State Reserve is located in Del Mar, CA. and is considered one of the best ocean view hiking spots in Southern California. Currently the wildflowers are in bloom and this is the best time of the year to enjoy the color and beauty of these trails. Botanically speaking the reserve contains over 330 plant species including abundant annual and perennial natives such as sage scrub, chaparral and salt-march plants.  Panoramic ocean views, a visitors center with knowledgeable volunteers and a plenitude of hiking trails are what you can expect on a day trip to the reserve. The base of the reserve meets the beach with parking and restrooms available. 

Directions: From Interstate 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and head west to North Torrey Pines Road (old Highway 101).  Turn South: the entrance is at the base of the bluffs.

Torrey Pine Trees consist of 5 needles: a unique and distinctive characteristic. It is the rarest pine tree in the United States and the seeds are edible.

 Many more photos on following page...........