Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Garden

The old garden is in good form for Graduation Season. The rellies will be here any minute. Mum and Dad are flying in tonight from New Zealand, Kevin's parents are coming in from Pennsylvania and his brother from Denver. No pressure then, you birds of paradise who want to hog the attention! Arms and feet in fifth position and...extend, as Mrs Shirley Dibble, our old ballet mistress, would say.


These pink guys (anyone know what they're called?) just wootle all over the place, like every day is a party.



Seen on Naomi's blog post today about Constance Spry, celebrity gardener-florist-philosopher-educator in the 1930's.  I never heard of her, she's fascinating, go over to Naomi and read all about her.

Anyway Naomi said: "Spring fever has got the better of me and I have been Druid like in my reverence of all the blooms that herald my new favorite season." 

I had to google "Druid" - didn't know what they were. Must have missed that class at my alma mater, Whakatane High School, NZ. (pronounced "Fuckatane," btw, if you're new to the blog)


Apparently the daisy-like flowers above are technically weeds. (Whose blog did I see that on?) Well good on them for making the transition to plantable fleur. Like a reality star rising up to become host of their own show. (Not saying reality stars are weeds, but you get the picture) The plants are all well established and we have fake lawn, so watering kept to min. We're in a drought, so instead of adding flowers, we got some cheapie cushions from CB2.


I didn't think I would like them in the situ, but I do.









Kangaroo Paws do really well here. 




Proteas, love them. Remind me of NZ.



Old succulents hanging out on the deck as per usual, pretty relaxed characters aren't they?





That's all from the old jardin. Which plant in your garden do you favour most at the mo? (I won't tell)



23 comments:

  1. You have a beautiful home and a beautiful garden. I love how it has a touch of wildness to it, even as it blooms at attention. Congrats on the graduation and enjoy the family gathering. These are such special times with our alien species.

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  2. I love your garden! And the cheapie cushions don't look cheapie at all, they are very tailored and colourful, just perfect.
    I'm just in the process of planting my herb garden (basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, usual suspects) which I've been planning for months. Right now I'm using lots of lovage (first out of the gate here) in my salads, it's especially good with potatoes.
    A new thing I'm planting: edelweiss, I bought a couple of plants for my Austrian father-in-law too (of course).
    We have very different gardens Cali vs Canada don't we! I just love to see snaps of California though. I hope the drought ends soon. xo

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dani, I'm going to google LOvage first and then Edelweiss, if only to be able to sing that song every time I pass it and further embarrass the aliens. Kevin is from a Germanic background so maybe he could sing in German.

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    2. Here is Lovage for anyone like me who had never heard of it. Tastes like Celery apparently.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovage

      Now Edelweiss:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum

      and the song...
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bL2BCiFkTk

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  3. Everything looks fantastic for the proud mama. Can't tell you're in a drought. Congrats and enjoy the moment.

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  4. Your garden is fantastic and has that California thing going on! I do love succulents and think they look great anywhere. How are you coping with water restrictions? Ps. Thanks for the shout out!

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  5. Your garden looks like paradise! So colorful and tropical looking, I love it!

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  6. Looks like a wonderful place to relax AND party!

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  7. Yours is a lovely garden. Mine is trampled by many a boy's feet, and if it can survive that, it's tough.

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  8. I am in Druid like reverence before these pics and the hyper curated garden of yours. This is how I wish my terrace looked like.
    happy week-end

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  9. I am in Druid like reverence before these pics and the hyper curated garden of yours. This is how I wish my terrace looked like.
    happy week-end

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  10. BEAUTIFUL GARDEN..JODY!
    CONGRATS on the BOY GRADUATING!NO small feat these days!!!

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  11. I love any post featuring Mrs. Shirley Dibbles and Constance Spry although I don't think I'd be singing your high school's fight song to Ms Spry.

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  12. Lovely garden! How old is your Protea plant and do you water or fertilize it ? I'm in the South Bay, I have planted one last summer, no blooms yet but the leaves at the bottom are turning yellow.i hope that it survives .

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  13. Gorgeous, everything looks so exotic there. Around here it's all about peonies and lilacs these days.

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  14. I think your garden looks amazing, especially given the drought problems that you're having in California. You've got all the right things in there for drought tolerance and lush foliage, it's really a little paradise. I'm especially jealous of your Brugmansia - we had one in our garden and it was huge, but I had it pulled out as the kids were so little at that stage I was worried they'd poison themselves on it… it is a very attractive plant! Enjoy the family celebrationsxx

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  15. An inspiring read, Jody. Laughing at the reality star weeds!
    I think I need more colour in our garden - we have fantastic roses in the summer but they are mainly white - I could do with a splash of orange. Maybe I should just buy some cushions.

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  16. Lucky Rellies! I think the garden looks charming - both furniture and flora. One of the maddening things about growing old one forgets the name of flowers one has been familiar with for years- and friends too of course!
    Who are you again?
    My favourites just now are the purple blue irises and the blue potato flower.

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  17. What a beautiful garden. Enjoy graduation season!

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  18. Loving those orange/yello/green chairs in your garden..... roses about to bloom in our gardenand there are so many this year can't wait!!

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  19. The only way your place could be enhanced is by the addition of rellies and fun..enjoy..x

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  20. You have been on the end of year graduation/celebration train like I have Jody! Finally, I have a few moments to breathe...and check in around blog world. I love your pops of color in the garden. Glad to see you added some new pillows-always an inexpensive update. Stay cool!!
    xx, Heather
    PS-Our Lifestyle Linkup is live again on Friday-hope you join us again!!

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