A few quick updates

Today I want to update you on a few previous posts.

>> Bye bye Mexican bush sage <<

After I planted the compact cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens), I added a Grevillea ‘Austraflora Fanfare’ (Grevillea gaudichaudii × longifolia). This prostrate Australian shrub with attractive sawtooth leaves stays under a foot in height but can spread to 15 ft. across, making it ideal as a groundcover (I intend to shape it as needed). It produces red toothbrush-shaped flowers from spring to late fall. Actually the specimen I plant is just now starting to bloom; I should have updated photos soon.

Grevillea ‘Austraflora Fanfare’

Grevillea ‘Austraflora Fanfare’

>> Changes ahead <<

I removed the Fatsia japonica that had been damaged by some caterpillar this spring as well as the creeping wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) that had pretty much covered the entire container. I thought a fresh start would be the best. Not knowing what to plant, I went to Green Acres Nursery in Sacramento and found a beautiful lacy tree fern (Cyathea cooperi) in a 5-gallon container. While not very hardy, it should do just fine in this location under the bay trees. Plus, it’s easy to throw a frost blanket over it on the coldest nights.

Cyathea cooperi

 

>>New backyard succulent bed <<

On my way back from the Ruth Bancroft Garden fall plant sale last Saturday, I swung by Lowe’s and picked up four bags of California Gold rocks for the succulent bed I recently created in the backyard. I like the texture the rocks add to this bed. Plus, they prevent the soil from washing away when I water. I can’t wait to see what this area looks like this time next year!

 

>> Ruth Bancroft Garden fall plant sale wrap-up <<

I love the two aeoniums I got at the Ruth Bancroft Garden fall plant sale last Saturday at 30% off. They were positively bursting out of their 1-gallon containers. I planted one (labeled Aeonium rubrolineatum) in our new backyard succulent bed (see middle photo in the update above). The other (Aeonium canariense) went in a terracotta cylinder I snagged at Panama Pottery’s closeout sale. I can’t believe these plants were only $4.20 each!

Aeonium canariense

This container is next to our front door now and several people have commented that the rosettes look like green flowers.