Thinking Purple-Pink

Looking forward to more purple-pinks in the garden this summer. Right now it looks pretty white, with more snow expected! In the woods it's okay, but in my backyard? I'm imagining summer pinks!

Two Spots of Winter Color in the Snow

The Euonymous Wintercreeper bush above has kept its yellow-green leaves through the freezing temps and snow. It's labeled for zones 5-8.




The red berries of the Rockspray Cotoneaster have survived the winter and the birds, who also use the birdfeeders in the backyard and in the neighborhood to get food in winter.

No other bush or tree in the backyard have color, other than brown/black and white, and the dark green leaves of hardy rosebushes.

The pictures are foggy because of the weather and because i took them from inside the house,looking out through a glazed window!

Flower Graphic Art: Wordless Wednesday

Courtesy of Dover Publications

To brighten us up in the bleak wintry weather.

Memories of Fall 2009: Color

The maple turned a lovely red in the fall and of course is leafless and  covered in snow now. In spring the leaves are a darker red and more purplish in the summer. I took pictures in November but never posted them. It seems like a good idea now in the middle of black and white winter!

Click on the photo to enlarge it and see more detail.

Happy Holidays!

Courtesy of Dover Publications

Hope your spirits will be bright this holiday season! Happy Holidays, everyone! And may butterflies always come to your garden!

California flora

One of California's unusual flowering bushes


White crane among waterlilies

Lily hangs over the sidewalk.

Italian and Thai Basil

My dining room is fragrant with the smell of basil. I think it's the purplish Thai basil that's giving off the herbal fragrance. I planted both kinds this summer in the garden and have potted them for the indoors. I only hope they will survive in front of the south window, and may have to give them and the other indoor plants some artificial light.

In the green mix by the window are a long box of basil, a large pot with a banana plant and its large sucker (making it two plants), a lemon leaf tree, and a small planter with philodendron, a palm, and a few other tropical plants. I often lose the herbs in winter from lack of light and maybe some neglect. Will see how they do this winter.