Plums & Pots

These Prune Plums are absolutely beautiful on the tree.  They are growing successfully in an El Cerrito garden.  They are much sweeter than the Santa Rosa Plum.

Mmmm-delic

I posted a photo of these lovely pots after they were refreshed in May.  Here's an update.

The blooms may have faded but these succulents offer variety in and of themselves.

The early morning light catches this Cordyline and makes it glow.

Natives vs Lawn

This small Oakland garden has been transformed from a thirsty lawn to a low-water native planting bed.

Planted in addition to the existing Japanese Maple are Baccharis pilularis, Mimulus, Carpenteria, Penstemon, Ribes, Crasula, Phormium, Helianthemum, Agave and Beschorneria.

Natives are always a great option for perennial planting areas.  Especially when planted with Mediterranean, African, Austrailian and Succulents.

Garden Update

This Albany garden was installed this spring.  The home owner sent me these photos of the garden after his return from a stint of travel.

The flowering perennials and grasses are filling out and in full bloom.  In the foreground you can see Lavender 'Provence' and Lomandra 'Sea Breeze'.  Toward the fence there is a citrus and Salvia confertiflora that will eventually hide the tree stump.

Here you can see a walkway of wooly thyme in full bloom leading to the patio.  In the back ground off to the left are Gaillardia and Penstemon 'Garnet'.  Against the fence are the transplanted roses coming back to live and Kangaroo Paw.  In the immediate foreground is Hesperaloe parvifolia.

Here is a link to an earlier post of the before and after of this garden.