Friday, December 7, 2007

December Desert Garden


My garden is only 30 months old so it's still quite immature, but it's coming along. I took these photos late Thursday afternoon, showing just a couple of views looking east and west in one portion of the garden. I picked these views because I've written about every plant shown.



I will soon trim back the Lantana to six inches and the Purple Fountain Grass and Red Bird of Paradise to 12 inches. That will be the only garden work I'll need to do for the next couple of months. With last week's rain and more expected today, the irrigation system is turned off and I'll keep it off, depending on the amount of rain today, over the next three to six weeks until the ground drys out. Rain this time of year is unusual, and it's not the best of circumstances for the dormant cacti.
I'll be on the lookout for signs of rot in the cacti and succulents over the next few months.


Last week I moved all my potted cacti to the patio to keep them dry during last week's rain. They will stay there until there's no more rain in the forecast, and no danger of frost. Other than that, I'll just wait out the winter and count any casualties next spring.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful photograph of your garden and an excellent example of xeriscape gardening. It shows how vivid and exciting and inviting a xeriscape garden can be. The contrasting textures, colors and forms create a wonderful composition.

mss @ Zanthan Gardens

Barbara said...

Your desert garden looks really great! It looks exactly the way - I think and imagine- a desert garden should look like....

Miranda Bell said...

What a fabulous garden - it's a total contrast to what we have in Brittany (N.France!) I love the dry river bed that you've created - really effective and great colours too.... Bon courage - Miranda

Jade said...

Your garden is looking good! Hope that the cacti are not affected by the unexpected (or should I say unseasonal?) rain.

Matthew said...

Very nice garden; it amazing how quickly those Palo Verdes grow. Does the HOA allow painting of the CMU walls?

Julie said...

Oh Aiyana...what a yard!!! It is stunning!!! If I were there I would lay down and make angles in the rocks!!! I would be so elated to be in such a paradise!

Aiyana said...

Thanks for the nice comments!
Matthew,
Ys, the HOA allows painting. I was going to get the walls stucco treated and then painted, but since the walls surround 1/2 acre in back, that would cost upwards of $10K. I decided to just look at unpainted block walls!
Julie,
If you want to make angels on my rocks, then you like my garden more than I do! I'm glad you like it though!

verobirdie said...

I've tried to imagine how your garden looks like. Thanks for answering this question. This is beautiful!

Andi said...

There always seem to be casualties after any weather change.

kml said...

You have designed and set it up so nice! You have done a great job - it is beautiful!