A month ago, the arbor sported nothing but bare branches |
He didn't move anything other than his eye so he wasn't all that perturbed by our presence. Two weeks ago, I'd heard a rumor that a pair of ducks was nesting near the pond but I hadn't sighted them then. I didn't see his mate on this visit either, although I noticed a flutter in the bushes nearby and his vigilance suggests she 's probably close by. It'll be wonderful if the Koi pond hosts ducklings in a few weeks. In any case, the watchful duck is my Wednesday Vignette. For more, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum. |
I took photos of the succulent sale too but, as the lighting was poor, I'll share just a few of these.
This table was my favorite display. Among other things, it featured (bottom row, left to right): Aeonium 'Berry Nice', Mammillaria parkinsonii, and Mangave 'Spotty Dotty'. |
I'd hoped to locate some Mangaves for sale but all I found were a few small specimens of Mangave 'Bloodspot' and I already have one of those. Of course, I didn't walk away entirely empty-handed, although I was more restrained than usual with regard to my purchases.
I haven't planted any of these except the Cryptanthus but I've designated spots for each and, as soon as the temperature drops a bit, I'll get them planted. Monday's high temperature reached 95F here and Tuesday's was only nominally better. Cooler temperatures are forecast for the balance of the week but it remains to be seen whether that'll be the case. Have you noticed that weather forecasters seldom acknowledge the variations in their day-to-day predictions?
All material © 2012-2018 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Poor duck! Looking forward to seeing where you put your new Arctostaphylos!
ReplyDeleteAfter a cautioning by a friend who repeated notice I'd read elsewhere about the flammability of Arctostaphylos, I expect I'll put it down on the back slope, where it's reasonably far away from any wood structures. We do live in a high fire risk area.
DeleteA handsome, if a bit preterbed, mallard. I always enjoy seeing images of your cactus and succulent sales; they're so different from ours up this way.
ReplyDeleteThis sale seemed less well stocked than those CSS has held previously but then perhaps my expectations going in are always over-sized.
DeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful photo's. And I hope you've found a place in the garden for your new beauty's.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
Rosehugs Marijke
Everything will find a place, Marijke, although some poor performing plants may get booted out in the process!
DeleteI like your selection of vignettes, with the purchases my favourite of course!
ReplyDeleteSays one hopeless plant addict to another ;)
DeleteLots of desirable and interesting succulents there: I’ve never seen anything like that lithops lesliei.
ReplyDeleteThere was actually an entire table dedicated to Lithops if various species. One of the common names for plants in the genus is "living stones," which describes them pretty well I didn't used to care much for them but they've grown on me (pun intended). They flower too.
DeleteI always think mallards are beautiful, and they're so fun to watch. That Wisteria looks very healthy. Love the succulent selection at the sale, too!
ReplyDeleteThe botanic garden has a host of beautiful Wisterias. They're thugs of a sort, though, so I'm pleased to enjoy them there. Actually, I've been trying to get rid of one in my own garden for as long as we've lived here and I still haven't entirely succeeded...
DeleteI could go on for days about our weather forecasts vs. reality...it’s especially bad in the winter when temps are predicted to drop for a couple of days but then warm up three days later. It’s usally more like seven to ten but they never talk about that.
ReplyDeleteNice haul!
The same frequently happens here with heat forecasts. I guess weather forecasters as a group may prefer to offer hope rather than bad news but it'd be more helpful if they were just honest.
DeleteThat mallard certainly looks completely relaxed with your camera! I love that little Mammillaria parkinsonii! :)
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that this isn't the mallard's first visit to the garden, Amy. I came across him again in the same area of the botanic garden earlier this week and he was equally chill. No sign of a mate, though.
DeleteHello Kris, the first picture is a marvel! so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThese birds look painted. I can not get enough of looking.
Your pictures are beautiful.
Beautiful sharing.
Good weekend.
janicce.
I loved the colors of the duck's feathers too, Janicce.
DeleteFinally your Boophone! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteEverything is flammable in a wildfire--'Louis' will never be large enough to be a particular danger. The firemen told me size is a big factor. Far more threat from nearby Eucalyptus and Washingtonia weeds throwing embers.
I put the Boophone in a large, deep pot yesterday, where I hope it'll be happy. Denise says it can be difficult. Thanks for the feedback on 'Louis Edmunds'!
DeleteHi Kris, Very inviting arbor. I've never seen such artistic arrangements of cacti and succulents. Enjoy your new plants.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I've got almost everything planted.
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