tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post8813089290842002042..comments2024-03-28T01:13:28.497-07:00Comments on Late to the Garden Party: Foliage Follow-up - Highlights of my Garden StrollKris Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-33965790166804360712017-02-20T15:04:04.075-08:002017-02-20T15:04:04.075-08:00There were downed trees all over Long Beach causin...There were downed trees all over Long Beach causing roads to be blocked but no loss of power here. Incredible winds, tho! Sounds from your comments that you came through unscathed. Nice to see you at the So Coast talk last week! I had to scoot out quickly so didn't get a chance to say goodbye but it was a treat to see you there.Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048985060349929026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-64310020784420219152017-02-20T10:32:53.659-08:002017-02-20T10:32:53.659-08:00Oh, that's too bad, Christina. I hope you can...Oh, that's too bad, Christina. I hope you can find a replacement.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-1930643655908266842017-02-20T10:31:13.776-08:002017-02-20T10:31:13.776-08:00My current barrels, which hold a total of 475 gall...My current barrels, which hold a total of 475 gallons of collected rainwater, have been full since December - the little I've used along the way was rapidly replaced. It's more than a little frustrating to think about all that rain I might have captured if I had greater capacity but our property isn't large enough to accommodate a really large tank. I'll be even more annoyed this summer when what I've got now is long gone and it's dry as dust.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-87788266853941339852017-02-20T03:33:46.414-08:002017-02-20T03:33:46.414-08:00Although I always think of your garden as being fu...Although I always think of your garden as being full of exotic blooms you also have a great display of fabulous foliage too! I liked seeing your Melianthus major looking so good; I fear at least two of the ones I grew from seed last year succumbed to the icy cold winds and they aren't established enough to come back from the base I don't think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-77286999965703381422017-02-19T18:06:58.913-08:002017-02-19T18:06:58.913-08:00Quite a lot of rain you've been having. Do you...Quite a lot of rain you've been having. Do you wish you had a bigger cistern?<br />I esp. love your phormium in midst of the euphorbia - like a sea wave and a splash!Eliza Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06879335295393594236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-60624803534673889632017-02-19T16:51:07.072-08:002017-02-19T16:51:07.072-08:00Northern and Central California have been hit much...Northern and Central California have been hit much harder by the storms than we have in Southern California. The damaged dam up north was particularly frightening, although that seems to be stabilized, at least for the time being. Last Friday's storm did pummel us for hours and caused damage in some areas but, hopefully, that experience is behind us and the rain expected this week will be gentler.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-89158167006256446622017-02-19T14:58:56.294-08:002017-02-19T14:58:56.294-08:00I hope that the storms do not do wreak any havoc t...I hope that the storms do not do wreak any havoc to your beautiful garden Kris. There has been some coverage on our television news here on what has been happening in California. Whilst you will no doubt be relieved to see the back of the drought steady gentle rain would have been preferable.You have some striking foliage plants. The deep red succulent in the blue pot is so eye-catching. Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10794392333038962798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-78363307130452398052017-02-19T12:00:01.420-08:002017-02-19T12:00:01.420-08:00I'd love a sterile Euphorbia too. This one ce...I'd love a sterile Euphorbia too. This one certainly isn't it - it's probably no worse than Geranium incanum but that's not an endorsement. It's been a good filler for me but I can foresee the possibility of pulling them out myself one day.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-3856005924680785902017-02-18T21:07:19.488-08:002017-02-18T21:07:19.488-08:00So much diversity in your garden. I'll never g...So much diversity in your garden. I'll never get tired of your photos.<br /><br />Do have problems with Euphorbia characias reseeding aggressively? I removed mine years ago because I got tired of the seedlings but I miss it every spring. Would love a sterile cultivar!Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-67404806564186763902017-02-18T16:54:20.754-08:002017-02-18T16:54:20.754-08:00Rain is definitely the magic ingredient when it co...Rain is definitely the magic ingredient when it comes to germinating California poppy seeds, Amy. Now, if only I can keep the raccoons from digging up the seedlings...Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-20521280939183884782017-02-18T15:49:01.084-08:002017-02-18T15:49:01.084-08:00We "only" got 1.65", but that was p...We "only" got 1.65", but that was plenty good. No problems here. <br /><br />Raccoons still destroying? Sigh. Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-69151058109558190012017-02-18T12:38:15.598-08:002017-02-18T12:38:15.598-08:00It's great to see your back slope plants recov...It's great to see your back slope plants recovering - those agaves look great! So far you're having much better luck than I with California poppies. I've been reseeding off and on since autumn and just tried one more batch. Hopefully this weekend's rain will do the trick! <br />I really love your phormium/Euphorbia combination!Amy@SmallSunnyGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490564566463354419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-40085890947879754742017-02-18T10:38:04.384-08:002017-02-18T10:38:04.384-08:00We lost power (several times) and our main route i...We lost power (several times) and our main route in and out was closed yesterday afternoon but we haven't experienced any serious problemshere, although there have been mudslides and flooded roads in the larger area. We could use some time to dry out but doesn't look like we'll get that today and another storm is said to be heading our way on Monday. It's nothing like what you've experienced this winter, however!Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-37011248357200297732017-02-18T10:30:44.629-08:002017-02-18T10:30:44.629-08:00Thanks HB! I hope the rain hasn't caused any ...Thanks HB! I hope the rain hasn't caused any harm out your way. I had to run an obstacle course getting home yesterday. The rain is lighter now but still coming down - we've had just over 2.5 inches in the last 24 hours. Unfortunately, yesterday's heavy rain didn't keep the raccoons away.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-54738857353462950002017-02-18T09:21:18.589-08:002017-02-18T09:21:18.589-08:00Always a pleasure to see photos from around your g...Always a pleasure to see photos from around your garden! Since almost every phormium around town is, once again, melting from our winter temperatures, it was especially nice to see yours looking healthy. Hope the storm doesn't live up to the hype.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10611816368447941322017-02-17T21:37:58.182-08:002017-02-17T21:37:58.182-08:00We have the Marah macrocarpa growing wild around h...We have the Marah macrocarpa growing wild around here also. It takes a year off when it is super dry. That red Crassula is fabulous. <br /><br />Indeed your garden is as much a foliage garden as flower garden as was just displayed so well in your bloom day post. Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-35312633954480932342017-02-17T19:39:31.706-08:002017-02-17T19:39:31.706-08:00We were placed under watering restrictions in June...We were placed under watering restrictions in June 2015. There are financial penalties for violating certain rules (e.g. hosing down pavement) and for using more than has been budgeted on a monthly basis. Our initial budget represented a 36% reduction vis-a-vis our 2013 usage levels but that was reduced to a 10% reduction a few months ago. Some areas, such as many in Northern California, have had all restrictions lifted, at least for the time being, but Southern California is still considered in a drought status.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-43745285004991127772017-02-17T19:32:12.335-08:002017-02-17T19:32:12.335-08:00So far, the rain, while heavy, isn't any worse...So far, the rain, while heavy, isn't any worse than that delivered by the storm a couple of weeks ago but it's still coming down steadily. I did have to take a circuitous road home, though, as my main route had been shut down for unknown reasons. My guess would be another downed tree.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-87096479970319863622017-02-17T18:51:38.962-08:002017-02-17T18:51:38.962-08:00Rain really doe affect the garden differently than...Rain really doe affect the garden differently than irrigation, doesn't it?! Centranthus is a virtual weed here, Linda, albeit a pretty one. It's welcome on the back slope, where growing anything poses a challenge but I try hard to keep it out of the rest of my garden.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-36749085215752409132017-02-17T18:49:19.089-08:002017-02-17T18:49:19.089-08:00I doubt our next door neighbors planted this vine ...I doubt our next door neighbors planted this vine and I certainly didn't so it either germinated from something planted by persons unknown years ago or was planted by wind or critters. I'm not sure how the neighbors will react to it but I'm inclined to let it stay until they do. <br /><br />We got deluged with rain starting at noon today. I made the mistake of meeting friends for lunch and had a miserable time on the road afterwards. We've recorded just over 1.6 inches so far and it's still raining steadily here. I hope you're safe and comfortable.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-66134160130830024882017-02-17T11:32:28.960-08:002017-02-17T11:32:28.960-08:00I can see how your choice of plants, by necessity ...I can see how your choice of plants, by necessity perhaps, are those that can survive lack of rain but what is the situation about using water. Are there limitations, by cost or regulation?Galanthophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03029508481549395350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-66987766156214868912017-02-17T10:47:49.140-08:002017-02-17T10:47:49.140-08:00Be aware that this plant will take over your garde...Be aware that this plant will take over your garden if allowed. The alternate name is manroot because the root is so large. It has the neatest seedpods; I call them porcupine eggs. The flowers are quite small. It is very common. You either got it by exposing some new ground to sunlight or you got a piece or a seed in a pot from some nursery or online. That is why I can't tell the species. The normal would be macrocarpa, but the lobes look too indented for that. If you got it from some northern place (Bay Area and points north) it would be oreganus. The fruits of the those two species look different. We have to wait.<br /><br />The wind is blowing very hard, but no rain yet at 10:45.<br />Jane Stronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05016381279699618539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10072749073653303752017-02-17T10:40:52.387-08:002017-02-17T10:40:52.387-08:00Your garden is looking spectacular, no doubt from ...Your garden is looking spectacular, no doubt from the rain you had in January. I was driving home a few minutes ago and heard them talking about the weather zin LA this weekend. It sounds as though it is going to be a major event. I imagine you will have water cascading down those steps but hope that the slope holds up and your plants don't suffer any damage. I'm sure your lot has seen this kind of rainfall before as they mentioned 2010 but it seems the worst in the late 1800s. Stay safe. Having driven r=through LA during the last rain event that LA river may burst its banks. It was almost at the top last time. Stay safe.Rock rose https://www.blogger.com/profile/00348711150803587369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-13067272935415565992017-02-17T10:29:23.533-08:002017-02-17T10:29:23.533-08:00Nothing brings a garden back to life more than rai...Nothing brings a garden back to life more than rain, does it?. Interesting to see how differently rain affects it vs. all of our watering. I tried growing Centranthis rubra a number of times with no success. LINDA from Each Little Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02380944603357066650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-74282490870286568332017-02-17T10:17:00.401-08:002017-02-17T10:17:00.401-08:00Jane agrees with you on the vine ID, Evan. I'...Jane agrees with you on the vine ID, Evan. I'm excited to see if it'll flower and fruit. Re Phormiums and Cordyline, the former have done better than the latter for me here. I had the best luck growing Cordyline 'Renegade' but even it did better in a pot than in the ground. I lost 2 beautiful 'Electric Flash' to some kind of bug working from below ground. I'm now gun-shy about trying more, which is a shame as breeders are doing marvelous things with them.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.com