Blooming Cactus

FLOWERING CACTUS THIS MORNING

These cactus blooms only last one single day. Seeing four blooms on my cactus this week and getting a photo was a moment of gratitude! The blooms have a light honeysuckle scent and the white petals are silky soft. Beautiful.

Monday Inspiration

PHOTO CREDIT: glassfloatjunkie.etsy.com

I purchased a glass fishing float from a vendor on Etsy to add to my "under the sea" succulent garden. The photo and caption above is from her Facebook page and I thought it was a beautiful insight to start the week. Happy Monday!

GLASS FISHING FLOATS IN THE SUCCULENT GARDEN

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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

Succulents for Retaining Walls and Borders

Succulents are the quintessential plant for borders or retaining walls as they require very little water. Similar to cactus, succulents are able to store water and planting them in cactus mix helps create the perfect soil environment for easy drainage. Group them closely together and mix in rocks for better growth and showy display. Photos below: front yard planter/retaining wall.

 more succulent photos- "see more"...

Succulent of the Day: Echeveria

"Fire and Ice" Echeveria

This is such a beautiful succulent. The sun shines through the thin leaves and the reddish border around the edges creates a dramatic and colorful outline. What a winner. Drought tolerant and easy to grow.

Follow this link for more detailed information

Pinterest Succulent Photos

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Water Wise Succulent Gardens

The San Diego Mediterranean climate has warm, dry summers and mild winters creating perfect growing conditions for succulent landscapes. We share these climate characteristics with select regions of Chile, Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean Sea which is why many native plants from these regions thrive in San Diego’s sun–loving environment.

Succulents have evolved out of harsh growing conditions and although they require little water, they are quite lush and exotic looking. Other than needing a good draining soil, the overall care is minimal. Succulents are fire-resistant and, unlike their thorny cousin the cactus, they offer smooth foliage and blooms all year-long. Succulent garden-scapes are no longer limited to hillside landscaping with mundane single ice-plant selection, but can be used to create borders for walkways, dramatic potted container designs and specialty theme gardens.

Aloe in the Garden

Have you considered planting aloe in your garden?

This is one of my favorite plants for the larger area landscape and also as a potted plant. I enjoy the long lasting blooms and the hummingbirds that are attracted to the aloe flowers. 

Benefits of aloe: Helps sooth burns, blisters, rashes, athlete's foot, acne, sunburns, it's a mild anesthetic, relieves itching, reduces inflammation, beautiful flowering and draught tolerant plant, moisturizer, post shaving gel, dermatitis aid. Aloe juice is also available at health food stores as a supplement.

Did you know that Aloes are considered one of the Fire Safe landscaping plants? They provide a defensible space of non inflammatory vegetation in the same way that succulents do.

A great plant to fall in love with!

Winter Landscape with Color

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Vibrant colors and easy care make succulents and euphorbias fabulous winter plants in Southern California. Photos below come from my backyard today. All of these plants work well planted in pots with well draining soil such as cactus mix.

Potted succulents at my doorstep include the Black Rose Aeonium, Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe luciae) and Sedum varieties. These all make great container plants.