The storm was passing, and the afternoon light was perfect. The succulents blooming in the front yard never looked better. I had to get the camera for this one!
In bloom are Aloe arborescens (orange-red) and a crassula species or relative (yellow). To the right, not in bloom but still dramatic, are two clones of a tree aloe (Aloe barberae). The low filler plant to the right is the California native coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’). I don’t normally love the neighbor’s big pointy juniper in the background, but I think it completes this picture nicely.
February 08 2009 | Categories: gardening • my garden | Tags: Aloe arborescens • Aloe barberae • aloes • crassula • in bloom • succulents | 6 Comments »
This is one of the reasons why people live in a Mediterranean climate like San Diego, suffering the frequent 70-plus degree daytime temperatures. Here’s the view out the front room window onto this huge, mounding pile of blooming aloe. I think it’s A. arborescens, one of the more common species that you see all over town. (There’s a little epidendrum orchid blooming just outside the window, but who’s going to pay it any attention with the aloe going off in the background?)
A closer look at the flowers…
…and a closer look at the leaves of the aloe (serrated edges, much softer than they appear) and the agave (straight edges).
For some people, it’s not winter without seeing snow. For me, it’s not winter until I’ve seen the aloe. Okay. I’m ready for spring now.
January 30 2009 | Categories: gardening • my garden | Tags: Aloe arborescens • aloes • seasons • succulents • winter | 3 Comments »
