It's really fall!

We're still having hot, bone dry days down here...the only saving grace is that the air is filled with the sweet, resinous scent of the cistus....and it's wonderful.

Lovely photos wcgypsy! Calif_Sue, your ducks do have a softening effect. I like your rosehips too!
I hear that the photography classes can be brutal. Keep on practicing so we can learn from you!
CatSmiling you've been having some strong winds too!
Hot and dry today here.
I have this potted plant that went and bloomed. Surprised me, but then I've been getting a lot of those lately.
I think it's some kind of ficus?

The wasps sure like it and so does that fly.
WIB,
SW

It's a Fatsia japonica
aka Japanese Aralia

He speaks! Where ya been, JD?

PAINTING !!! I am so sick of PAINTING !!! LOL

Glad you are back, JD, and Dillansnana! I know what you mean about being sick of painting. But it is so worth it when you are done.
I have some photo's to post I'm going to try to get caught up.
It's definitely fall.
This is my hanging bougie. I love those leaves so I don't mind as much when they don't flower. It seems to put out flowers one batch at a time.
The one out in the yard hasn't flowered at all this year. But at least it is still alive.
WIB,
SW

The String of Pearls has been blooming. This one grows on my patio. It's getting long too!

New growth on the cactus KC gave me last spring!

I forgot (again) what this one is called. Was also a gift from KC. I've been trying to get a decent photo of the flowers ever since KC gave it to me. The silly thing just keeps blooming. And the wind keeps blowing.
Got a spell the other day without wind and finally got a good photo. I really do love this plant. It's always got flowers. Thanks KC!
WIB!
SW

I know this photo isn't pretty, but Weegy will want to know that the white Bird of Paradise survived our recent heat spell, even though it's new leaf got burned. It doesn't show in this photo, but there is a new leaf forming. Yea!
Hopefully I'll be able to get it through the winter without it dying.

My favorite Pomegranite. Almost time to pick it. I'll be sorry to see that one go. It looks so pretty hanging in the arch.

A few things left to photograph in the garden, asters.

Last one for now. The Honey Bird bush is feeding a lot of hummers right now, and I wish I'd had my camera with me to show you. The lobelia is a nice contrast. Sure does sprawl right out though. I guess that means it is happy. : - )
WIB,
SW



(photos taken on 10-21-09, jpg84)

SW, the cactus is called Rat-tail cactus (Disocactus flagelliformis) and the flowering one is an Epidendrum, or reed-stem orchid. Both of these are blooming for me now, too.

KC,
I don't have blooms on the rat tail, yet, but the Epidendrum hasn't stopped blooming since you gave it to me.
Thanks for the names. My forgettery is working real good lately! : 0 O
I can't believe I stole my DH's truck today, hightailed over to the neighbors where they loaded up the back with good fertilizer for me, then came home and emptied truck, swept and washed out truck bed, and I actually got the fetilizer where I need it. Now all I have to do is the spade work.
I do believe that is the first time in five years I have driven a standard shift. I'm glad I was on the dirt roads. I have to admit I stalled it out more than twice. I also couldn't figure out how to get the key out (button behind the keyhole), and accidently undid the hood latch while trying to release the parking brake. I know a lot of people at the boarding ranch got a good chuckle. Hey, so did I.
DH had to go up to Bakersfield to check on his bees. So I only had a short time to get it done. Otherwise I'd have to wait til the weekend.
Maybe, I'm not so old after all.
Of course I did all this before I went in for my tune up with the chiropractor. LOL!
Now that I found my wandering dog, I can relax for a while.
I forgot what this bush is called, but it's blooming too.
I do have lots of leaves falling right now. I remember last year they were still hanging in there in December. Hopefully we'll get some more rain this year.
WIB,
SW

I just love the foliage on this canna, Ima gave me.
Thanks! ; - )
WIB,
SW

My sole surviving Bfly bush still has a bloom on it.

The Sea Lavender seems to like it there. I should get some more. Such pretty sprays of color.

This is a bloom from my Brazilian Sky Tree (I don't know if that is what it really is. It's more like a bush.) I just love the medley of colors in its' tiny blossoms.

Look at them when they start blooming. Same kind as above, just a wider shot. So nice to see that blue.

I forgot the name of this one too. But it will be the last one for now. I know Ima, is familiar with it. I got it at the seed trade and it really seems to like being out in the yard. May it live long, and prosper! LOL!
Okay, I'm done for now.
WIB,
SW



Note: photos above were taken Oct. 21, and are still blooming. : - ) (128)

Jules, I think that Canna you have up there is called 'Pretoria'. Does it have orange blooms?

I think that first blue flower is a Duranta. Sherry, are you around? She has one, so she might be able to tell for sure.

I want to know what that first blue one is, too----it's a beaut!
Yes, DP, the striped canna is Pretoria----glad you're enjoying it, SW! If anyone else wants some, I'll be digging cannas after frost. If you're into the foliage, I also have Wyoming which has dark red leaves.
That little purple one is verbena bonarensis, and mine's just about done setting seeds for the year. I've been saving them so I'll have some to share.
I'll also have seeds from my totally white & very fragrant 4-o-clock. Great for a moonlight garden!

Yes, Kathleen, looks just like the one I got from you and thank you again....it's happy and growing well....!

The blue flowered plant in question is Clerodendrum ugandense. Color is variable depending on the weather. What's not to love about this plant?

Yes, and lucky me...I got that one from SoCal! Donna, they are growing well also....

Okay, dingy me needs to do these one at a time.
Yes, it is a Praetoria, canna. I always think of Roman Guards when I try to recall it's name, DP. Say, do you need any succulents for your new garden project DP? I got lots of different kinds.
We be talking about the first blue flower right?
'Cause I was looking at the photo contest photos, and discovered what I thought was a Brazilian Sky tree isn't. It's really a Duranta erecta "Sapphire Showers". Only their photo was much prettier than mine.
That first one, I'm still confused about.
I've been saving white 4 O'clock seeds for wcgypsy, but I am worried that they won't breed true. I have all different kinds of colored 4 O'clocks. I went out today and gathered up some for wcgypsy, but Ima, please save her some of yours. Even if they are the colored ones they do have such a sweet evening perfume.
Thanks for the name of the purple verbena bonarensis, I always forget, but it's been a real treat to see in the garden.
JD, I'm going to look up the Clerodendrum ugandense, and see if it looks and acts like mine. Thanks for the name.
Say, did any of you get spat on by the clouds today? We had some gray clouds overhead, and I thought at first the solar water heater on the roof was leaking or a bird pooped on me, then while the sun was shining, it started to rain. I was only 40 feet from my camera, but by the time I reached it and got back outside it had stopped raining. Drat!
So I took a photo of the wet spots on the top of the critter food container.
Enjoy!
WIB

I am no longer confused by the first blue flower. No wait, I'm more confused, but I do think our very own JasperDale has got it right.
Here is the link to it: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1874/
Mine are really more lavender in color. I think my brain and eyes need to disconnect for a while. I was looking at all the gorgeous photos entered into the photo contest, and picking my faves. I've only made through 2 categories so far. It's really hard to just pick three in each category. Especially the birds. You all got to go look at the entries in the bird category. Some of them are truly awesome!
I'm done my eyes are fried, and my dog needs to go out for a potty break.
You all have a good night!
WIB!
SW

Nothing says Fall like mums. I went to the Elizabeth Gamble garden in Palo Alto late afternoon yesterday and shot a few. This one reminds me of explosions, or maybe firecrackers>sparklers.

This one I blurred the edges with Picasa

So spidery

And a real spider hiding among the petals of a mum.

The low sun illuminated this grass

And the garden gazebo also had nice lighting from the low sun.

Lovely photos, Sue.

Ima, I would love some white 4-o'clock seeds.

I *never* misplace my tools, I just scatter them around the yard so my husband can go find them all and feel like a hero for bringing me tools I *lost* :-)
( You all believe it???)

KC, you've been added to "the list", along with wcgypsy.

Thanks Ima!

Mrs Colla, I will definitely remember that one! LOL