Madagascar Palm: Pachypodium lamerei

MADAGASCAR PALMS 

THE SEED POD OPENED TODAY!

HOLDING SEVERAL SEED PODS

The Madagascar Palm is really a succulent and not a palm tree. It has 2 inch spikes all around the trunk and has a moppy hair do- palm type look at the top. In the summer it will bloom very exotic looking white flowers that stay opened for weeks. In the winter most or all of the leaves will shed. Plant in full sun, water lightly and allow to dry between watering. This is a drought tolerant and easy to grow plant. Beautiful in the landscape or in a pot. The typical height is 10 feet, but can grow up to 20 feet. The Madagascar is a slow grower and needs to be planted in well draining soil. This is one of my landscaping favorites!

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.

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

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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Ocean Theme Terrarium- Do it Yourself

DIY: Creating Beach Theme Terrariums

Supplies Needed:

* Large Glass Decorative Container (I got mine at Pier 1)
* Horticultural Sand
* Horticultural Charcoal
* Sheet Moss
* Tillandsia- learn more about this plant...- (Tillandsia Plants)
* Succulents
* Seashells, marbles, sea glass and ocean decorations

Layered assembly starts from the bottom of the container with Charcoal, Sand, Sheet Moss, More Sand, Plants, Decorative Shells. This is such an easy project and looks elegant and beautiful anywhere indoors or outside. Layers of potting soil can also be used for less drought tolerant plants. Water once a week with a small spray bottle or drip water on to each plant. 

Beach Theme Terrarium

Top View

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.

Into The Heart of A Succulent

I love macro photos of plants, especially these succulents in my backyard. 

Photographing above the plants as if scuba diving gives an illusion of diving right down into the heart of these succulents where I am sure that complete bliss could be found.

In challenging times and difficult days I like to find gratitude effortlessly by just taking in beauty and allowing the visual senses to ease my mind.

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." Rabbi H. Kusher

So on days when concentration is just too much effort, then take a break and enjoy the moment in a passive way. Have you ever looked up something you love on Google Images? Images such as puppies, flowers, ocean sunsets, hugs, etc, etc, are sure to lift your spirits.

I wish you an amazing day and hope that you will take a moment to give thanks for the beauty in your surroundings and feel the peace that enters your soul.