Six on Saturday is a look at the things which stand out to the gardener week by week. Here at A Thornscrub Garden, it’s mostly about the garden springing—albeit gradually—into bloom right now.
Over this past week I’ve been particularly delighted to see the color blend of Narcissus “Scarlet Gem” with Salvia greggii (probably “Lemon Light”). Both are just now coming into bloom in a small vignette on the north side of our defunct garden pool.
I look forward to the time when the two clumps have expanded to fill the space. (The sword-like foliage against the rock belongs to Iris “Deep Buttercup”.) Here are close-ups of the pale lemon salvia and the butter-yellow/yellow-orange of the narcissus.
Not quite as far along in bloom are the aloes. To the best of my knowledge , the naturalized aloes all over this garden are Aloe vera. Blooms are just beginning to open.
Then there are a couple of newly planted additions that are putting out their first blooms.
First came chuparosa (Justicia californica). It is a tough Sonoran Desert native, and I have planted it to fill in between the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) and the cluster of ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens).
Then there is the Australian emu bush, Eremophila maculata x brevifolia “Outback Cupid”. “Cupid” has done its work well; I am very much in love with its brilliant pink flowers and dusky red spring foliage!
I also have to feature one of my transplanted wildlings as representative of the batches I’ve placed around the garden over the past few weeks. This is Encelia farinosa—one of many. They come up by the hundred or so, especially in the hard soil on the south side of the house; then most die off over the summer. They are excellent garden perennials though, so I am working to establish clumps of them in the garden proper.
Finally I am watching intently as the roses begin to enter the scene. “Safrano” is budding up first, its stems intertwined with some Encelia stems that I’ve let grow up through it.
The rest of the roses are younger, some only planted out last winter from five-inch bands. Such is the tea-noisette “Crepuscule”, which has most beautiful foliage. As you can tell, that foliage is being protected by a ring of chicken wire, as the rabbits have been busy.
Thanks to Jim for hosting Six on Saturday! Don’t forget to check out the other posts at Garden Ruminations!
Lovely to have a glimpse of your spring garden. 😃
Well, now there's no doubt spring has arrived! I've never grown Encelia but I should probably try it given how tough it is. I'm glad your roses are gearing up for a new season - I know how you love them.