Dragon Tree: Miraculous Growth from Cutting!

I would not have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! Back in May of this year, my much-beloved dragon tree (aka drago tree and Dracaena draco) was trimmed, to remove branches that were growing into my garage. I save most cuttings and placed them in containers, to propagate them, and they’re [...]

Japanese Boxwood and Mexican Orange Shrubs

Also known as Buxus microphylla or littleleaf boxwood, the Japanese boxwood is a favorite in formal gardens and topiaries, but they look nice in my somewhat less formal garden! They’re the two squarish shrubs up front. This native of Japan enjoys the shade!
Mexican orange, also known as Choisya ternata, produces sweet-smelling flowers and also produces a more formal look. A [...]

How Will You Get Your Vegetables This Autumn?

Cymbidium Orchid: Update on Spike Growth!

It’s a little over 2 weeks later, and the cymbidium spike has indeed grown! The wine-colored striations, especially along the edges, are especially beautiful. I water this 1-2 times per week, to keep the soil moistened, but not soaked. All of my orchids, cymbidium and epidendrum, are grown in containers in ordinary potting soil and I have [...]

Chinese Flame Tree: Paper Lanterns!

I just finished raking up my front yard. Whew! I chatted with neighbors who were also raking their leaves after our overnight wind episode. Shooting the breeze! The wind brought down many leaves from my 2 Chinese flame trees (aka Koelreuteria bipinnata and bougainvillea golden rain tree). It also brought down several of the very [...]

Overnight Winds Mean More Clean-Up!

I was this close to getting my back and front yards cleaned up for autumn! Well, overnight winds up to 30 mph changed the situation. In my backyard, it’s not so bad: my garden is fine, with a few random leaves to rake, but a new patio umbrella that didn’t make it. The pole bent in half [...]

Autumn Garden Clean-Up and Preparation

I’m almost finished with my seasonal ritual of cleaning up my garden, to make way for autumn plants. This includes trimming back my lantana with garden shears, removing withered tomato plants and dwarf snapdragons, and deadheading my still-productive roses. Clean-up requires time, and large green-waste containers, but it’s such a peaceful, de-stressing activity for me that [...]

Gray Bird Grasshopper – Lounging!

This grasshopper (also known as vagrant grasshopper and Schistocerca nitens), was standing next to my patio doormat (on its left) for at least 15 minutes, nearly motionless. Lounging? Contemplating the state of its world? I took this photo at around 6:15 p.m. I had just finished watering my backyard garden. I noticed this critter during that time. Click on [...]

Dragon Tree Cuttings Show New Growth!

It’s true!  Following a tree trimming in late May of this year, I have kept a close eye on the cuttings I’d saved from my dragon tree (aka Dracaena draco and drago tree), planted in containers for propagation. In about 4 months’ time, a few of these cuttings have shown unexpected but exciting new growth! The photo on the [...]

Cymbidium Orchid: First New Spike for 2008!

I just finished watering my plants and noticed the first new spike in my lovely collection of cymbidium orchids, all in containers in my front yard shade garden. It’s a raspberry-colored orchid, and the one I have the most of. It’s such a pleasure to grow, the flowers are gorgeous and long-lasting, and the plant is robust [...]