Spring Blooms

Copiapoa esmeraldana

From bud 

 To bloom

Sulcorebutia arenacea

Echinocereus viridiflorus

Gardens Tours - Part 2

Gibbs Gardens

Our next stop on our tour was about 25 minutes away from the first gardens we visited.  Gibbs Gardens is located about 1 hour north of Atlanta. Nestled on 300 acres, it is divided into two sections, Valley Gardens and the Manor House Gardens; there are sixteen distinct gardens venues. Gibbs Gardens is know for it's 50 acres of Daffodils that bloom March to mid April and it's Daylily gardens that bloom in June and July. There are many more gardens to explore: Waterlily Gardens, Japanese Gardens, The Fern Dell, Rhododendron & Hydrangea Gardens, Rose Gardens.  There is also an interesting Grandchildren's Sculpture Garden, and there are plenty of structures to see and explore.

The tram took us to the Manor House Gardens first. Yes the tram -  remember this property is 300 acres, It was raining the day we visited, but that didn't stop us. The Manor House is where Mr. & Mrs. Gibbs live. Beautiful property and exceptional gardens. Let me show you.

A view from the house 

Walkway to the gardens

The Sunken Garden

The side garden going towards the pool

The walkway......there is always something that catches your eye

Cabana & Pool

 

A closer look at the Cabana

Some views of the pool

So back on the tram and on our way to the Valley Gardens. Being late August, there weren't as many blooms to enjoy as there would be at the start of the growing season, however sculptures and prominent landscape structures kept our attention at its peak.  Here are a few pictures of the Waterlily Gardens. 

This garden is worth another visit. I'm sure it will be filled with color. I'm looking forward to seeing plenty of Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Crape myrtles and many more displays to enjoy.

Two more installments to come, part 2 and 3. Stay turned!

Happy 2017

May this New Year bring peace, love, health and happiness

to all of you.

Mammarilla gracilis

I'm wishing for lots of new growth, no pests, no rot, just healthy plants with 

beautiful blooms.

Have a succulent year.

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.