26. April 2017

And here is the South Border at the end of April. The highlights of the border now are the miniature roses.

29. March 2017

This is admittedly a very, very late post. I'm struggling with slow internet again, so will keep this light! But the South Border deserves its due as March comes to a very lavender-y close. Lavandula stoechas "Blueberry Ruffles" is now in fine form, looking better than it has ever done before. Although I have mentally cavilled at its slower growth (compared to "Madrid"), I do love that rich blue hue in the flowers.

14. March 2017

This week there is no doubt about the burst of bloom from Lavender "Madrid". It is in full glory, much to the delight of bees. Its very deep color is an asset in the now-intense sunlight (compare with a cloudy day just two weeks ago). The Lavandula stoechas varieties are distinctly seasonal here, so I relish this mass of bloom while it lasts.

11. December 2016

I was inspired by Kris's recent post to take a closer look at autumn color in my garden. Not just any color, but the reds and yellows of leaves turning for the cold months. This is one area where warm winter gardens typically don't have much to show for themselves. Many of my plants are evergreen, some are summer deciduous, and some merely drop their leaves after an ignominious stage of ragged brown. But I thought it might be worthwhile to inventory what is actually going on. So I did, and it...

11. October 2016

As October moves forward, some changes are finally occuring in the South Border. The usual view looks largely the same (picture taken after the shadows began to fall eastward). It is easy to note how much better the Perovskia is blooming now. Tucked in behind the Pennisetum, it has become a mass of purple bloom.