The bright spots in my daily walks

Spring isn't just wonderful in my garden.  My entire neighborhood is full of color, even though there are relatively few committed gardeners to be found.  I thought I'd share some of the highlights I've seen in the past few weeks before summer moves in and toasts the display.

The entrance to our neighborhood is currently decked out in a massive display of Echiums, Centranthus ruber, and Limonium perezii, all of which are effectively wildflowers here

One neighbor's Beschorneria yuccoides has lived up to its potential

February's post on neighborhood gardens featured lots of succulents.  While they're still a prominent feature, I'm sharing just 3 shots of succulents this month.  Clockwise from the upper left are: what I think is an Agave potatorum sitting atop a wall; a cluster of Aloe maculata in full flower; and what I believe are ice plants (possibly Delosperma) growing through shrubs. 

Clockwise from the upper left are several colorful shrubs: a hybrid broom (Cytisus), a Pelargonium hybrid, Polygala grandiflora, and what I've always thought must be a Salvia.  The last is a huge evergreen plant (at least 4x4 feet) blanketed with tiny blue flowers for much of the year.  I've looked at plants in both the Salvia and Lobelia genera and haven't found a clear match.  My phone's ID app was no help.

White flowering shrubs include: Cistus ladanifer (aka white rockrose), what may be a Cotoneaster, and Prunus caroliniana (aka Carolina cherry)

Rhizomatous and bulb flowers: Iris orientalis, Ornithogalum (aka Star of Bethlehem) and, Watsonia

Other spring-flowering plants include: Alstroemeria, Eschscholzia californica (California poppies), and Thunbergia gregorii (aka orange clockvine)

Roses, other than the white 'Iceberg' variety, are relatively uncommon in front gardens here but there are some.  Those shown here are all from one neighbor's garden.  She told me she planted 70-odd roses and every one of them looks fabulous.  On the top row are 'Brandy', Julia Child', and one she couldn't name.  In the middle are 2 shots of 'Perfect Moment'.  Directly adjacent to the street are a variety of carpet roses (bottom row).

Roses in other neighbors' gardens include these 2

It's not just plants that give the neighborhood color either.

Mr Peacock is still with us, although I hear him (constantly!) more often than I've seen him recently.  The members of his harem are shyer and quieter, probably busy sitting on nests in the pine trees they favor.

When I stopped across the street with some flowers for a neighbor this week, I got a peek at the baby finches in a nest built inside a wreath on the front door.  My neighbor told me that she's stopped putting up fancier wreaths as the finches build nests in them every year.

My sightings were generally limited to those portions of front gardens visible from the street.  On this occasion, all my photos were taken using my mobile phone. 

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party