Cineraria

This is the first time I have planted cineraria in the ground. I have purchased it many years and used it for seasonal color in pots, but never planted it to see if it would come back the following year. Many of the early spring shade plants that should be perennials do not make it past the summer to return the following year in our area, so I guess I had low expectations for these. It sure is a pretty burst of color and if it does return it will just be an added bonus!

Spring Urges

Even though it is still the middle of winter, you couldn't tell by our weather during the day (it still gets pretty chilly when the sun goes down). It is this kind of weather that releases some chemical in the brains of gardeners that stimulate the urge to plant, at least it does in my brain.


So it was understandable to bring home a couple flats of some of my favorite late winter, early spring flowers. The purple anemones will go in the front door garden and the peachy primroses will be used to fill in some pots on the deck and the rest will be added to palm alley to add a little lightness to the shade. Who could resist?

Primroses and Pansies

We have an annual party this time of year based on a popular sporting event. It is the one time of year that we open our home to a wide variety of family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. People actually fly in from all over the country for this event, (and to escape the east coast weather). For many of them it is the only time of year they see my gardens in SJC and I hear lots of comments on how they are looking forward to seeing them. Understand that this is the time of year that the roses are all cut back, the ornamental grasses are hacked off to the ground, the hydrangeas are bare as well as many of the trees and shrubs. It is also the time of year I appreciate being able to go to the nursery and have tables and tables of annuals and perennials in bloom to choose from for instant gratification. Flats of pansies and primroses came home with me this week as well as gallon pots of cannas, daisies, candy tufts and cinerarias. A few doses of liquid seaweed, mulch and some sunny weather should help turn the bare spots into somewhat less disappointing beds of early spring inspiration for our guests!

The Big Trim

It takes my tree trimmers three days to clean up the hundred plus palm trees we have on our SJC property. Removing dead and dying fronds is half of the work. Removing heavy seed pods is the other. These gentle giants are not self cleaning and removing dead and dying material that harbors bugs and disease keeps them healthy and happy. Tons of debris has to be hauled to the dump because palm materials don't decompose in the compost pile and I'm not into basket weaving. It is a big job but everything looks so neat and tidy when it is done that it is worth the headaches.

The Low Limb

I love an interesting tree, especially a weeping tree and I loved how this part of one of the California Pepper trees was growing outward and hanging over the grassy path in the backyard. Unfortunately with all the rain it started getting lower and lower until you couldn't walk under it without getting on your hands and knees. I finally made the decision that it was becoming a hazard and had to go.


This week the tree trimmers came and removed that whole section of the tree. Although I do miss it's weeping character, the open path and sunshine is a welcome change to the rest of the garden. I'll get over it.

Cutback Time

Although some of the ornamental grasses were cut back in the fall, most of the big fountain type grasses (like this purple fountain grass) start showing signs of new growth around this time of year which is the best indicator for our area that it is time to cut them back. I know it is necessary, but they look so sparse and sad for a couple months that I try to put it off as long as possible, but it is better to just bite the bullet and cut them back now so all the plant's energy can go into the new growth.

Non-Stop

I have to commend these white reblooming iris in the Moonlight Garden, they have been blooming non-stop all year long including the rainy season and the chilly nights. I have two kinds and they are very similar so I don't know which ones are consistently putting on a show. It is either 'Immortality' or 'Frequent Flyer', or maybe both! There is never a time that I can't find at least one in bloom!

Till Next Time

The last bouquet of roses will be gathered this week as they are cut back to force them into dormancy. See you on the other side of winter my botanical friends!

The Good, The Bad....

I must admit that this is not the prime time of year for my gardens, especially after all the rain we have had. The perennials and shrubs are cut back and the grass is dormant in some spots. What were overflowing flower beds in the warmer months are now just muddy patches. That overhanging limb on the California Pepper tree has to be cut off because it is so low to the ground that you can't even walk under it anymore. The grassy paths are too muddy to walk on without boots. (Sigh)


But I must admit that the one part of the garden that looks good all the time is the gravel garden! After all the rain there was a lot of debris from the overhanging trees but it all kind of just worked its way down through the gravel. Even though the row of hydrangeas are dormant, there is enough other foliage to keep the area from looking bare. I am growing more and more fond of this place all the time!

Very California

Some days it is impossible to imagine being anywhere else but here in California. The cold and damp weather has taken a reprieve and the sun is warming everything up. The citrus are particularly happy with their wet roots and warm foliage creating the ideal situation for sweet, juicy fruit! Very iconic California!