Tuesday View: A Quick Glance

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

At the risk of repeating myself, the garden does seem to be just between two seasons at present.  A good clean-up of the borders is in order, and in the South Border this will mean cutting back the grasses to allow more light in to irises and such.  The Muhlenbergia plumes have completely faded, as have most on the Pennisetum; but they still catch the light beautifully, so I've been in no hurry to cut them.. 

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

But the irises will need their time in the sun, quite literally!

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

As do some of the spring-flowering bulbs, such as Ornithogalum arabicum.  I am hoping for a better flowering this year than last, but I fear that once again I will have a good deal more foliage than blooms.

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

One mystery is how the Ozothamnus will shape this spring.  O. diosmifolia is an Australian native that produces lovely tiny buds used by florists.  I added it almost without a second thought as so many Australian species perform splendidly here, but this one has struggled for some reason, perhaps pH?  Stem tips have been consistently chlorotic until now, when new growth is coming in green at last though some of the brown tips still show through.

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

Favorite beauties in the border continue to be the lavender miniature rose (only one open bloom at present, but more buds coming)...

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography, miniature rose

...and Eremophila hygrophana, always good for an atmospheric shot in this garden.

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography, eremophila hygrophana

Yes, the seasons are difficult to reckon here, with Catharanthus roseus still flowering lightly but now competing with growing tufts of Ixia.  I learned last year that the latter is a spring-flowering bulb here because of the mild winters.

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography

I was happy to see Cathy's Tuesday View today at Words and Herbs, the host for this meme.  In her case it is a snow-covered border, but none the less decorative!  

Tuesday view, small sunny garden, desert garden, january, amy myers, photography, ozothamnus diosmifolius
Ozothamnus diosmifolius

Weather Diary: Fair; High: 64 F (18 C)/Low: 42 F (6 C); Humidity: 40%-97%

Comments: 6 (Discussion closed)
  • #1

    Cathy (Wednesday, 18 January 2017 06:39)

    Lovely to see your view Amy. Your winter light and the grasses are so pretty with delicate blooms in between. Love the shot of the Eromophila! That last plant has such a great name, coming from Australia - Oz.... Made me smile!

  • #2

    Kris P (Wednesday, 18 January 2017 11:19)

    Your garden is coming along wonderfully, Amy! I'm SO envious of the roses. I have to tackle my grasses soon too but I keep putting it off...

  • #3

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 18 January 2017 19:41)

    Thanks for encouraging me to go on with the View, Cathy :) It's been such a useful meme! Love your comment on the name of Ozothamnus ;-)
    

  • #4

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 18 January 2017 19:43)

    I just started in on the Pennisetum this afternoon, Kris ;-) I have plants in behind it that really need some elbow room for the season, so it was more than cosmetic! Hopefully the Muhly Grass tomorrow...!

  • #5

    Island Threads (Sunday, 22 January 2017 12:16)

    Amy it is lovely to see your sunny garden, the sun on the grasses is beautiful, I can understand your reluctance to cut them back yet, Frances

  • #6

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 23 January 2017 13:59)

    Frances - So glad you enjoyed it :) The grasses have remained so lovely even after the flowers have completely faded - really wonderful!