Orchid Cactus

The mystery has been solved.  The beautiful flowering plant on my porch is a member of the forest cactus family–plants that came originally came from Mexico and South America.  Specifically, epiphyllums;  commonly known as ”orchid cactus.”  No matter what the name, it is a dramatic and beautiful plant. 

 
 

Beautiful Irises

My daughter lives in the city in an old neighborhood that is making a comeback.  Her row house is a bicycle ride from downtown, but unfortunately does not have any garden space.  The point is that I cannot claim ownership of the beautiful irises that are now blooming in my yard.  She gathered the hybrid rhizomes.  I [...]

Hyper Tufa Revisited

My less than successful first experiment with Hyper Tufa can be visited at http://coco724.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/hyper-over-my-tufa/
Fortunately, I really did overcome the errs of my ways.  My next attempt at making a planter turned out just the way it was planned.  I’m really pleased with the results.

Curb Appeal Redux

Changes to the landscape and architecture at this house have been evolving over several seasons.  There’s a long way to go, but the curb appeal is definitely a long way from where it started about 2 1/2 years ago:
In the beginning, it was long-neglected, but as they say, “with good bones.”
 

Working our way forward, slowly, [...]

Fall Bouquet

Enjoy.

Autumnal Appreciation

A few purchased silk sprays packaged with leaves and berries scavenged from my yard.  The week’s vacation has fast dwindled to a few hours, but part of the joy of some time off, was the opportunity to meander through the yard, casually picking the bones of an arrangement.  It happens during normal work weeks, too, but [...]

Busy Day

Today was the perfect day to do a yard work blitz.  Man-of-my-dreams worked until 3:00 pm, then left for a weekend charity golf tournament.  That meant that my time was totally mine for the whole day.  Stopping to cook or even get presentable to go out for the evening was completely off the agenda.  With no one but myself to [...]

At Last

“At Last”  Lyrics sung by Etta James:

At last
my love has come along
my lonely days over
and life is like a song
Ooh, yeah, yeah

At last
the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
the night I looked at you
I found a dream
that I could speak to
A dream that I
can call my own
I found a thrill
to press [...]

Homemade Applesauce

As a child, the apple orchard that had been planted long before we ever lived there, provided a spot for swings, tree-climbing, pies, applesauce and spur-of-the moment snacks.  Climbing the various apple trees were one of my favorite past times.  There were times that I would go outside, scrambling to the tippy top branches, as high as I could go.  My [...]

Sweet, Sweet Potato Vines

Sweet potato vines are common additions to any gardeners toolbox.  This delicately colored light green variety with soft brushstrokes of white and pink on the tips is my personal favorite. 
A bright green variety is planted in my vacated outdoor fireplace.  See a pic at: 
http://coco724.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/fireplace-frenzy/