Thankful For Life

Happy Thanksgiving

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'

No rain, but gorgeous color

Monadenium ritchiei

 Euphorbia alfredii

 Euphorbia milii 'Crown of thorns'

Schlumbergera truncata 'Christmas cactus'

Travel Safe

Give thanks with a grateful Heart

Stapelia Grandiflora

The common name for the plant below is the starfish cactus. The flower is shaped like a star. The flower is also surprisingly large, hairy, and also quite malodorous -  but beautiful, all at the same time.  I've been monitoring this succulent for weeks now, since I first bud saw the bud trying to push its head out. It was the size of a pin head. I could not resist taking a picture.

July 31st

Surprisingly, I did take another picture of this bloom until August 28th. What was I doing? Oh wait, I was photographing other succulents in bloom. In the mean time, big boy here was still doing his thing, waiting for his time to shine. Here is he one month later. Still small but getting there.

August 28th, and he's not alone

September 10th

September 14th, two different views

September 16th, check the size

Today, Big Hairy, Stinky and Beautiful

Check out the corona lobes

This flower measures 9 inches across, but some of these flowers can be 12 inches wide. The starfish cactus flower has a rank odor that attract flies and other insects which it uses to pollinate the blooms. Even this unpleasant odor can't take away from the amazing beauty of this plant. 

As you can see, there are more buds at different stages in size.  Everyone just wants to be a star. And they will.  Stay turned.

Happy Labor Day

Summer loves are behind us. Autumn joys are just ahead.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

In the garden there are a number of projects that are still be completed: 1.) clean up the pond area, 2.) create a new shade garden in the backyard, 3.) plant new purchases in the front yard, and 4.) begin work on a new rock garden. It's simply been too hot lately, in the low 90s everyday. Not good for putting new plants in the ground. We expect another week of 90s ahead. So until the weather cools down, I will continue to enjoy the blooms on my potted succulents.

Adenium obesum on 8/28

And today

Here is the potted succulent

No, it doesn't stop here, I still have some Aloes blooming and there are a few more that are budding up nicely. So you see, some like it hot.

Stapelia grandiflora buds

A closer look

 Astrophytum asterias x ornatum second time for the season.

Gymnocalycium friedrichii more blooms coming.

 Plumeria another branch is budding. Blooms have a fantastic fragrant.

Monadenium ritchiei

Have a great Labor Day, enjoy and be careful.

Garden Tours - Part 1

In the past two days, we visited three gardens. On Wednesday we hit north Georgia, visiting Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw and Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground. On Thursday we spent almost the entire day at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. We wanted to be able contrast the garden, and its beautiful exhibits during the day with the new Chihuly Nights; the celebrated glass artist has a total of 20 works of glass that are now lit at night. Each garden tour will have a separate blog.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Smith-Gilbert Gardens, about 25 miles from Atlanta, was our first stop. Although the day started out cloudy with isolated showers, those had cleared by the time we arrived, giving the gardens a just watered appearance. In 1970 Dr. Robert Gilbert and Richard Smith bought the property from Steve Frey, who owned a warehouse that would later become the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Dr.  Gilbert and Mr.  Smith went on to create a collector's garden with over 3000 species of plants, several noted works of sculpture, and an extensive bonsai collection.  After Mr. Smith died in 2002, Mr. Gilbert sold the property to the City of Kennesaw through a bond referendum .There are numerous gardens here to enjoy even if its almost end of summer.

Succulent Garden

On the way to the parking lot, this small succulent garden is situated at the entrance to the Carriage House, creating substantial curb appeal before entering the grounds. A number of these succulents are in containers, placed directly in the ground - making for easy removal before winter. Unfortunately, this seemed a tease, as other then a few drought tolerant plants in the Rock Garden, there was not a significant collection or display of succulents.

Closer look at the front of the bed left side

right side

a closer detailed look

back view

Aloes and Agaves

The Bonsai Garden contained a large collection, which was very impressive. The oldest display was the 300 year old Pond Cypress. Unfortunately, I didn't get the names of all the Bonsai plants on display, as only some had tags, and some others were a bit difficult to photograph. That didn't take away from the beauty on display. 

Pond Cypress

'Five Brothers'

Japanese White Pine

Japanese Black Pine

Our next stop was the Butterfly House. It was bright, colorful and had many interesting butterflies inside the enclosure. Many vibrant host plants for the butterflies were also contained in the enclosure. For me, the Coleus stood out - everywhere you look there were some Coleus.

Rock Garden

Dasylirion wheeleri in bloom

Flower stalk and cloudy skies

This sculpture is called Transformation

One of two Koi Ponds

 The side garden outside the Hiram Butler House

Succulent fountain

A closer view of the plantings

Part 2 will be Gibbs Gardens, stay tuned.