“It is winter in California, and outside
Is like the interior of a florist shop:
A chilled and moisture-laden crop
Of pink camellias lines the path;
and what Rare roses for a banquet or a bride...”
– Karl Shapiro, California Winter
2/27/18:
It's that time of year when camellia blossoms are opening daily. First the pale pink double variety, then the bright pink, not-as-fluffy ones, and finally the darker magenta-red flowers. They're all planted in the ground, along our fences. Steve and I tried to prune them back thoughtfully last fall, before any sign of buds, but some are still a bit too tall. I have to stand on a chair to view the flowers atop of the pale pink bushes. Camellias are gorgeous in a vase, and sometimes I pick a bloom to float in a glass bowl. The petals do eventually turn brown and soggy after a flower is no longer on the plant however, so they aren't good to use in potpourri.
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Floating camellia bloom.
Alaska mix nasturtium.
Buds on the currant bush.
In addition to those mentioned in earlier blog entries, potted plants that are doing nicely this February include nasturtiums in shades from pale yellow to red-orange, and the currant bush. Last Saturday, while out watering the smaller containers in case we didn't get any rain, I was delighted to find buds on one of the branches of the currant bush. This plant showed up a few years ago, but I guess it hasn't been mature enough to bloom until now. I haven't eaten fresh currants in a very long time, so am looking forward to the eventual berries.
Progress is also visible in the vegetable patch. The peas are a bit taller, seeds of salad greens have sprouted, and the rhubarb now has five stems.
As I strive to learn more about my plants, and about wisely cultivating the little space of the natural world that I inhabit, I decided to attend a permaculture talk at a local garden store. I've had a mild interest in the concept of permaculture for a while, but want to explore further. So it was great to sit outside, looking around me at the plants for sale, enjoying warmth from the morning sun, while absorbing information presented by David Shaw of Santa Cruz Permaculture. The book recommendations, seven-petaled flower diagram of ethics, and list of principles were especially interesting. I signed up for their newsletter, and am getting enthusiastic about applying more permaculture wisdom to my sustainability, gardening and landscaping efforts.
Progress is also visible in the vegetable patch. The peas are a bit taller, seeds of salad greens have sprouted, and the rhubarb now has five stems.
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As I strive to learn more about my plants, and about wisely cultivating the little space of the natural world that I inhabit, I decided to attend a permaculture talk at a local garden store. I've had a mild interest in the concept of permaculture for a while, but want to explore further. So it was great to sit outside, looking around me at the plants for sale, enjoying warmth from the morning sun, while absorbing information presented by David Shaw of Santa Cruz Permaculture. The book recommendations, seven-petaled flower diagram of ethics, and list of principles were especially interesting. I signed up for their newsletter, and am getting enthusiastic about applying more permaculture wisdom to my sustainability, gardening and landscaping efforts.