Friday, June 7, 2013

Failure to Flourishing

Have you ever tried to make lemonade from lemons? That is how this *repurposed* hummingbird feeder collection ended up on Hummingbird Island.

I couldn't figure out why the hummers weren't enjoying the homemade nectar in the cute mosaic glass feeders hanging all over the garden? They provide easy access, are colorful and loaded with nectar. ?!? Come to find out they are toooo shiny. Oops. :-/

So, I removed the mold-covered nectar topped with floating dead ants and replaced it with a bit of cactus soil for succulent cuttings. And voila!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Spring is Sizzling Already

"And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden...You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden."
-Rudyard Kipling

This spring included two horticulture classes: Propagation and California Natives. Ooohh the possibilities are so much greater in the Bistro now! As I was musing about what I want it to look like in three years, I decided I would need to propagate my favorite plants and purchase the most desired over a period of time.

Plants being propagated include:
Hoya Pubea (nectar on Hummingbird Island)
Brugmansia (for fast growing standing eye-level fillers along fence and for nightime fragrance)
Geraniums (for color and knee-level fillers)

Purchased (over a 6 month period):
Hoya Pubea
Lonicera Japonica Purpurea (fragrance)
Jasminum Stephanese (fragrance and beneficals)
Ficus Pumila (wall cover)
Angel Vine (wall cover)
Bacopa, white (green color divider in raised planter)